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A Day in Hambarita: Over Coffee, We Prepare the Construction of Six Reservoirs
👋 Hi everyone, it's Alex, how are you?
I'm writing you a new story from Rumah Kambera, in East Sumba. I hope you're well, wherever you are.
This is the kind of day you’ll never forget among the many things happening here. Last Friday, Ino, Ethon, Primus and I visited Hambarita, a small village lacking roads, water, and electricity.
Only 4x4s or dirt bikes can get through there —even then. We rode motorcycles, which led to a few falls, including mine. But it was worth every bump and slip. I say "slip" because most of the paths are made of very calcareous white stone. As soon as they're a little damp, it's like driving on wet snow: slippery. Very slippery.
We had a meeting with the community in a local house made of wood and bamboo- well, a house slightly larger than the others. About forty villagers were waiting for us; some had walked more than six kilometers, barefoot, on steep, stony paths. The children too, without shoes or bags, just the desire to be there with us.
The meeting began, as always here, with coffee. Incidentally, these people are so poor that they have neither coffee nor sugar. So, as always, we bring some. The water for the coffee? Rainwater collected drop by drop in small containers cobbled together under the roofs. And yet, around this overly sweet cup, a genuine moment of discussion begins.
We shared the good news: thanks to you and to all of us, we're going to build eight 5,000-liter ferrocement tanks. They will connect to modified roofs with gutters and filters to provide dozens of families with clean, drinkable, and accessible water. However, six will be built because two still need to be financed.
For the children, it's enormous: no more walking for hours to bring back jerry cans that weigh more than they do. The little girl in the photo? She will be able to attend school in Laindatang more frequently instead of searching for water across hills and rocks during gruelling walks that last for hours.
But beyond the technical aspects, it's the simple gestures that always strike me. Here, people don't say "thank you" with words. They don't really know how to react when we offer them something because it rarely happens. So they smile, help us, open their homes, and deliver us coffee, a smile, or a knowing silence. And frankly, it's the best way to thank us.
Tetanus is a lurking threat. Many people remain unvaccinated, and barefoot wounds can quickly become infected. Moreover, there are no health centers or doctors available. Just imagine the added challenges: dengue fever, malaria, tuberculosis, and the constant presence of contaminated water. These resources will make a significant difference—a meaningful difference, like everything we do, without any pretension.
This project started a few kilometres away in Laindatang, where we constructed the first reservoirs, sanitation facilities, and handwashing sinks three years ago. Today, Hambarita is next, and construction will begin in May.
And if you want to be part of this story... you're welcome.
Each reservoir has a distinct name, symbolizing life. Here are their names:
- Wai Maringu (Fresh Water)
- Wai La Padang (Water from the Fields)
- Wai Ma Njanjar (Flowing Water)
- Wai Paluri Wangu (Water for Life)
- Wai Pandulang (Water that Saves)
- Wai Kahingir (Clean Water)
- Wai La Wurung (Water in the Pot)
- Wai Ma Hamu (The Best Water)
You guessed it: in the local language, "Wai" translates to "water." If you haven't seen our film, Matawai: The Shade of Water," watch it here. It's worth it; it's beautiful.
📍 You can also check out the interactive map that serves as our work plan here, which is updated regularly.
Today, six of these reservoirs are funded.
But the last two – Wai La Wurung and Wai Ma Hamu – are still waiting for their guardian angel. I truly hope that all eight of us can assist these families.
👉 Pour info : un réservoir complet (toiture, filtres, main-d’œuvre… et café compris !) coûte environ 2 400 CHF, et offre plus de 10 ans d’eau propre, sans maladie, à une quinzaine de personnes, ou trois familles. Voir plus ici.
👉 FYI: A complete tank (roof, filters, labour... and coffee included!) costs approximately CHF 2,400 and provides over ten years of clean, disease-free water to about fifteen people or three families. See more here.
It was a serious day filled with smiles, mud, slips, and camaraderie.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your presence, and I look forward to seeing you soon for another story. Alex Wettstein.
☑️ The interactive map of the Laindatang - Hambarita Water Connections project
☑️ See the 40 images of this day
☑️ What is a Ferro-Cement reservoir?
☑️ See all active campaigns here
☑️ All Fair Future news here
☑️ Let's remember our Mission
☑️ The archives of our "stories" |
