Wai Kahingir provides clean water through a 4,400L tank built with residents ‘ health in mind in Hambarita.
Stored rainwater supports cooking hygiene and dignity while reducing trips and costs.
With the dedicated efforts of residents, we have constructed a 4,400 L ferrocement tank that effectively transforms roof runoff into safe, accessible water for households. Ferrocement, a composite material made of a thin layer of concrete reinforced with mesh, is well-suited to withstanding heavy rain and is easily repairable with local tools. Three strategically placed gutters channel rainwater into the tank, providing essential resources for cooking, handwashing, and cleaning.
Located 28 km from Rumah Kambera, the site is accessible only by steep tracks, requiring materials to be manually transported. Construction required careful timing, halting during heavy rain to safeguard the curing process. Once resumed, the team focused on plastering both inside and out, installing inlet and overflow pipes, and securing a sealed lid. A final waterproof coating prevents seepage and algae growth.
Serving 3 houses, 4 families, and 16 people, the tank provides conveniently placed taps between 4 to 16 meters from each residence. The landowner, Nggada Yabu, became an integral part of the team, helping establish maintenance protocols. Residents are responsible for cleaning, checking, and maintaining the water system.
The health benefits are profound. This initiative drastically reduces incidences of diarrhoeal diseases and the challenges of walking long distances for water. The cost per tank, 2,049 CHF, includes gutter systems and filtration, providing economic relief by reducing dependency on trucked water and freeing up valuable time for women and children.
Through this initiative, Hambarita exemplifies how simple, locally maintained systems can be sustainable throughout the dry season. The methodology is teachable, parts are easily replaceable, and leadership is grounded in the community, facilitating replication across the hills. Our foundations, Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia, are committed to innovating and expanding such impactful initiatives.
We cordially invite all captivated by this story to explore our photo gallery, witness this extraordinary effort, and further engage with our mission through our Instagram account.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – the 29th of October, 2025
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