Around the only well in the region, and after talking together, our interlocutors suddenly began to pray. Prayer for more water, to be healthier and to have a better life.
As part of the data collection work – so crucial to determine the global needs and those of individual local communities – allow us to tell you a touching little story:
We experienced an intense moment a short time ago in East Sumba with Fair Future and the Kawan Baik Indonesia team (Elthon, Rinto, Kung and Alex). We talked with a man who came to fetch water with his water buffalo, which he does twice a day, sometimes three times.
We discussed the difficulties of having a life with very little water and the consequences this has on their daily life, their health, and their economy. Then, while we were discussing, women came from their houses to the well to fetch water. This water is essential for them to live, wash their clothes, take a “shower”, drink, cook, stay healthy, and much more. But also so that children and other family members are less sick.
“-The lives of these brave people flow like the rhythm of flowing water. They do not have this water in sufficient quantity or quality and of which they dream.” Alex
After getting to know each other, we talked with them about the specific living conditions of women, especially when they have their period or are pregnant. These brave women told us that in total and for everything, they only had two litres available per person and per day to do everything: Eat, drink, wash, and this 365 days a year. They need more water to maintain satisfactory hygienic conditions when they have their period or are pregnant because these two litres do not increase by magic.
Therefore, and when they can, when they have the time available, these women inform us that they have to go to another house, the one of a friend, a relative, for example, which is closer to a water point than their own house. This is to be able to take care of them in better conditions.
And when we weren’t expecting it, the villagers present asked us if we wanted to join them in praying…
We listened for nearly five minutes to the man there with his water buffalo, saying a prayer in the local dialect. Kawan Elthon and Kawan Rinto later explained that this prayer asked for simple things to improve their lives: Either to have access to healthier water, in more significant quantities, or closer to home. This is also the primary wish of these families from the most rural regions of Indonesia.
We then stayed a long time trying to understand, to imagine if solutions exist and, if so, which ones. A vast work of reflection, yes.
And as always, because it’s a tradition, one of the women asked us if we wanted to have a coffee with them. It’s always a little complicated to answer positively because we know these people’s efforts to get water here. Making coffee for four requires making a fire and having enough water and coffee, right? But as in most cases, we accept because we know that it makes them happy and thank them for this moment of sharing.
Thank you for sharing kawan;-)
Manufacture of the 1st 6500 liter reservoir as part of the Water Connections Programme, Mbiudita Village
Why do we all need to have access to clean water and sanitation?
Fair Future and Kawan Baik have launched a program to provide access to drinking water and sanitation solutions to dozens of villages without direct water or sanitation solutions in East Sumba (NTT). This program, which began in 2021, has no end date. Water Connections aims to create clean water networks near where people live in rural areas of eastern Indonesia. And provide them with direct access to a source of clean and healthy water.
Water connections is the creation of a clean water network for families from rural areas in eastern Indonesia. Each facility includes gender-specific toilets, showers and access to life-sustaining drinking water. These water points also aim to improve people’s health, especially children. From a single borehole, we create water networks using the slope of the land, solar energy or hydrodynamic pumps. Water to reduce infant mortality, birth problems and serious illnesses linked to the consumption of unsanitary water. Improving living conditions, creating economic opportunity, creating wealth and mental well-being.
Click here for more information about Water Connections
Date of Photos: June 2022 | Location: East Sumba, NTT – Indonesia
Around the only well in the region, and after talking together, our interlocutors suddenly began to pray. Prayer for more water, to be healthier and to have a better life.
As part of the data collection work – so crucial to determine the global needs and those of individual local communities – allow us to tell you a touching little story:
With a few friends from Kawan Baik and Fair Future, we had the privilege and emotion to experience a touching moment, thanks to the strong words of villagers living in a very isolated region of eastern Indonesia. We felt that these brave people had hope that time and the Lord might bring them a better life. For that, we have no choice but to help them. We experienced an intense moment a short time ago in East Sumba with Fair Future and the Kawan Baik Indonesia team (Elthon, Rinto, Kung and Alex). We talked with a man who came to fetch water with his water buffalo, which he does twice a day, sometimes three times.
