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Transforming Lives in Laindatang village with the Water Connections Project

Connecting Families in Rural Indonesia with clean water

In this new “Picture of the Day”, around ten people are seen burying HDPE pipes between a new 5000-liter ferro-cement tank and another 5000-liter ferro-cement tank. These pipes will later connect the new sanitation facilities, the school, the village houses, and the latest installation of eight sinks These sinks will allow the village’s children to wash their hands.

The #WaterConnections projects we carry out in ultra-rural villages in Indonesia, such as Laindatang, embody much more than a simple water installation. They symbolize a profound transformation in the living conditions of the communities where we work. By connecting kilometres of heavy and robust HDPE pipes, we weave water supply networks and links of solidarity and mutual aid between residents and our team.

These pipes, which we carefully bury to protect them from savannah fires—a work we do with the villagers—are not only water pipes; they are the vectors of better health and a vastly improved quality of life. Access to clean water radically changes the daily lives of these families. Drinking, cooking, washing, watering a garden, or simply washing have become simple and safe, eliminating many risks of using contaminated water.

The availability of clean water has a direct and measurable impact on the health of communities. Infectious diseases, often spread by unsafe water, see their rate drastically reduced once access to quality water is secured. Ailments such as malaria, diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, and other water-related illnesses, which previously were part of daily life in these villages, are beginning to disappear. By providing a reliable source of drinking water, we attack the root of one of the leading causes of malnutrition, allowing safer food and facilitating the irrigation of small vegetable gardens, sources of better, fresh and nutritious food.

Beyond health, #WaterConnections is also revolutionizing villages’ social and economic fabric. Women and children, who were often responsible for collecting water, sometimes from long distances, were freed from this time-consuming and exhausting task. Children can devote more time to their education, and women to income-generating activities or personal development. This creates a dynamic of progress and empowerment within communities, promoting the emergence of new opportunities for all.

This project is not only a technical response to the problem of access to water; it is a door to a healthier, more equitable and more promising future for hundreds of families. By building these facilities, training residents in their maintenance, raising awareness of the importance of hygiene and sharing our knowledge, Fair Future and all our teams on site are sowing the seeds of an innovative and, above all, sustainable transformation. Each pipe laid, each meter of buried pipe, and each drop of clean water that arrives in a home brings us closer to this future for those families officially qualified by the national authorities as “Extreme Poverty”.

Thanks to the support of donors and partners, these projects can come to fruition. We are grateful to everyone from Rotary, those involved in the fight against malaria (RAM), and supporters from Switzerland, Indonesia, and worldwide. Together, we can save lives.

Your help is vital in supporting our mission to reach more villages and improve more lives. Water is essential, and together, we can make life healthier, safer, and more full of opportunities for Indonesia’s ultra-rural communities. Thank you for your ongoing support and for believing in our cause.

Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 27th of March 2024

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Revolutionizing Health in Laindatang with New Sanitation

The new “Picture of the Day” features the newly completed sanitary facilities in the village of Laindatang. It’s a revolutionary development for these families, who previously lacked access to toilets, showers, and clean water. Fair Future has been actively involved in this area for 18 months and is making significant changes to improve people’s health and preserve lives.

In the village of Laindatang, the concrete and vital action of the Fair Future Foundation is manifested through the #WaterConnections project. Before our intervention, living conditions in this village were precarious, and there was no access to basic sanitation facilities or clean water. Families live daily, facing the daily challenges posed by the lack of hygiene and the health risks that arise from it.

Completing the second sanitation facility in the village marks a turning point. These facilities, including a handwashing sink, represent a revolution for the community. Hand hygiene’s simple yet crucial importance cannot be underestimated in the fight against infectious diseases. The source of this transformation? Four new ferro-cement reservoirs, the fruit of our ingenuity and determination, and a deep borehole that symbolizes our ongoing commitment to the Laindatang community.

These facilities, separated by gender, offer private space for showering, washing clothes, and much more. They are equipped with safety tanks divided into three parts, designed to filter and separate water at different stages of use in accordance with international water purification standards. This distinction between clean, shower, and dirty water is essential for preserving water quality in the village, a pillar of our mission to combat transmissible diseases.

Implementing these sanitation facilities has a profound impact on the health and well-being of the villagers. By eliminating unsanitary practices such as open defecation, we directly reduce the risks of infectious disease transmission, a primary concern in these ultra-rural areas. This action represents a significant step forward in our fight against diseases like Malaria, Diarrhea, Cholera, Polio and other water and hygiene-related infections.

Beyond the sanitary aspect, these facilities strongly impact the dignity and privacy of individuals, particularly the women and girls of the village. Having access to private toilets with a closed door is a matter of personal respect, safety, and female health preservation. This dramatically changes the daily dynamics of the village, offering a healthier, safer, and more dignified living environment.

This achievement results from the commitment of the Fair Future Foundation and its partners, but above all, it demonstrates our will to put humans at the heart of our actions. Each project and each initiative we undertake aims to concretely improve the lives of the communities we serve by providing sustainable solutions to the challenges they face. In Laindatang, as in every village where we intervene, our mission is clear: to build a fairer, healthier, and more equitable future for all.

Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 27th of March 2024

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Laindatang School’s New Handwashing Facility Fights Diseases

The new “Picture of the Day” features the new healthy handwashing facility at Laindatang School. This is the first time such a facility has been built and put into service in a public school. It is part of a unique program aimed at effectively combating infectious diseases in a region greatly affected by health issues, especially those impacting children.

In the Laindatang region, where challenges such as lack of water, electricity, and sanitation are combined with the fight against high rates of infectious diseases like malaria, the Fair Foundation’s #WaterConnections project represents a significant step forward towards improving the living and health conditions of the most vulnerable communities. By inaugurating the first handwashing facility in a local school, we have taken a crucial step in our commitment to ensuring access to essential sanitation services for children, for whom regular hygiene practice has been a rarity until now.

This sanitary facility comprises eight sinks, six visible in the shared image, and two are located in new healthy sanitary facilities built by our team. It marks a turning point in Laindatang’s children’s daily lives. Previously, the opportunity to wash their hands was a luxury, with families having to walk long distances to the nearest river for water. This journey could only be done every two weeks or, in some cases, once a month. In the dry season, these challenges become even more overwhelming, further limiting access to water for basic needs.

The project is not limited to providing convenient access to water for handwashing; it is also a head-on fight against infectious diseases that have long afflicted the community, particularly malaria. By introducing these handwashing facilities, the Fair Future Foundation aims to introduce vital hygiene practices that can significantly reduce the spread of infections. This effort is even more critical in a region where children and families face the threat of life-threatening illnesses every day.

Beyond improving hygiene, this project highlights our commitment to sustainable development and community involvement. By working hand-in-hand with residents and tailoring our solutions to Laindatang’s specific challenges, we ensure that the benefits of these facilities will endure over time and continue to serve future generations.

Through the #WaterConnections project and similar initiatives, the Fair Future Foundation reaffirms its dedication to building a future where access to clean water, sanitation, and healthy living conditions is no longer a barrier to the health and well-being of the poorest communities in Southeast Asia. Our actions on the ground, guided by an in-depth knowledge of local needs and a desire to create a lasting impact, allow us to bring these communities closer to a healthier and safer future every day. Together, we are creating a future where every child has the fundamental right to clean water and good health.

Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 27th of March 2024

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Improving Rural Life: The Role of Water Tanks

In rural areas like here as part of the #WaterConnections – Laindatang 2024 project, water reservoirs play a crucial role in improving the quality of life and health of families. Discover how these Water Tanks improve living conditions, promote health and fight infectious diseases. Access to clean water transforms communities, giving them the means to have a better future.

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Drilling in Extreme Conditions: Challenges and Triumphs

Drilling in Extreme Conditions: Challenges and Triumphs

 

Our team had been looking for favourable weather conditions since mid-February to move our drill to the #WaterConnections project site in Laindatang village. Finally, on February 22, we seized our opportunity when a truck transported our more than seven-ton drill to Laindatang.

Getting the heavily loaded truck there presented another challenge. Upon arrival, we had to manually carry the machine approximately 300 meters to reach the drilling site. This exhilarating moment filled us with wonder and pleasure, reinforced by our appreciation for the unwavering support of local residents and villagers who are always ready to help us.

Due to the need for water during drilling, we install a substantial temporary 5,000-liter tank. It may seem paradoxical, but having access to water is essential to locate it underground. The installation process took several hours as we erected an impressive tower with a height of 8 meters.

Later in the day, a religious ceremony was held by the villagers who practice the Marapu religion. Three small chickens were offered as sacrifices to determine if we would encounter any problems when drilling for water so that their entrails could be read. According to the community members who organized the ritual, no problems will occur during this deep drilling.

Currently, we are on the fifth day of our expedition and have already gilded at a depth of almost 70 meters. However, a problem has arisen in the form of so-called “water loss”. This phenomenon refers to a situation in which the injected water does not rise due to damage caused by a crack in the six-inch diameter of the well.

Although the machine is working properly, we are currently facing a water shortage. Due to insufficient rainfall and the unavailability of water trucks during dry weather, we do not have access to enough rainwater to fill our on-site tanks needed for drilling. Our daily drilling demand amounts to almost 10,000 litres of water with around 30 meters remaining before we reach the target depth of 100 meters – where, hopefully, an abundant source awaits us which would be beneficial in providing drinking water within this village; thus considerably improving everyone’s quality of life.

Despite a challenging environment, the team engaged on-site perseveres tirelessly in arduous tasks. The heavy drill rods weigh nearly 50 kilograms each and the aggressive elements such as the intense heat of the day, the rain, the wind, the mud, and the cold of the evening prove powerless to stifle our fierce training. Each day brings its share of obstacles, but we remain resolutely focused on achieving our ultimate goal: improving the lives of the residents of the Laindatang Village.

Thank you very much for your attention and support in the water connection project we are working on in Laindatang. This project is significant for both the locals and us as a Swiss foundation, and we have put our hearts into it. As a reminder, last February, we celebrated the 15th anniversary of Fair Future, and this project is important to us all. Thank you very much for your help and support.

Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 3rd of March 2024

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Improving Nutrition with #WaterConnections in Laindatang

Improving Nutrition with #WaterConnections in Laindatang

#WaterConnections here in Laindatang was established for various reasons. Firstly, to improve the living conditions of the residents, promote better health, and combat issues of malnutrition and infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, cholera, hepatitis, polio, and others.

But to combat malnutrition and unhealthy eating habits, it is essential to provide adequate knowledge. The residents here have no concept of what it means to eat healthily. As part of this program, for several months, Fair Future and Kawan Baik cook on-site, not only for our team of workers but also for the village workers, about 30 to 50 people each day. We categorically refuse to prepare unhealthy meals.

Instead, we educate them on new tastes, showing them what fresh vegetables like carrots, potatoes, cabbage, green vegetables, and corn look like, cooked in different ways. It is crucial for children's growth to have a healthy diet. Many of them travel kilometres to get to school, arriving tired, exhausted, and unable to concentrate.

Most of the time, they haven't eaten before leaving home. Additionally, they lack access to water. For us, nutrition is therefore one of the key pillars of this program, along with the prevention of infectious diseases.

Throughout the duration of the project, we focus on nutrition, in addition to preventing infectious diseases. We spend much time cooking for the villagers and teaching them the basics of a healthy diet. The #WaterConnections program is there for them, to offer them a better future and better health, as we believe that it is through clean water that we can accomplish almost anything.

Growing vegetables, generating income through their sale, this is what awaits us in the coming weeks as we cook for the school children every day, helping them adopt better eating habits. This is crucial for them because they represent the future generation, those who will outlive us.

Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 3rd of March 2024

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Battling Medication Shortage in East Sumba: A Day of Hope

Battling Medication Shortage in East Sumba: A Day of Hope

In East Sumba, there is a shortage of medication which has reached a critical level, almost bordering on a crisis. However, there is hope in the form of Fair Future and Kawan Baik’s medical care day. This initiative provided treatment to almost 200 patients and gave them a chance at living healthier lives. It is crucial that we continue to support and donate to this cause in order to combat this dire situation. The health of our communities depends on our collective action. Learn how you can contribute to this urgent cause.

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East Sumba Leap: Water Access & Sanitation Efforts Unite

East Sumba Leap: Water Access & Sanitation Efforts Unite

A crucial meeting took place in Waingapu, where a project called #WaterConnections Laindatang was launched. The project aims to provide clean water and sanitation in East Sumba, and it is a collaborative effort between communities, the state, and NGOs such as Fair Future and Kawan Baik. This project symbolizes a commitment to sustainable development and a healthier future. The project marks the 15th anniversary of Fair Future, highlighting the power of teamwork and shared objectives.

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Empowering Emotions: #WaterConnections Phase 2 & 3 Unveiled

Empowering Emotions: #WaterConnections Phase 2 & 3 Unveiled

Our new "Picture of the Day" shows you Kawan Ino passionately describes how the upcoming #WaterConnections project's Phase 2 and 3 will profoundly transform the ultra-rural village of Laindatang. With this project, the village will soon have access to clean water, enabling its residents to lead healthier and more productive lives.

On January 17th, a remarkable event unfolded within the confines of one of Laindatang's six classrooms. Nearly 250 people gathered, including 76 eager students, their parents, and a multitude of village community members. The school's leadership, the school committee, and devoted teachers were also present. It was a day meticulously planned by Ino, Alex, Susan et Ayu to elucidate the intricacies of the #WaterConnections 2024 program within this village and school.

Our arsenal included a massive 20,000-watt PowerBank to power projector and display films, illustrations, and comprehensive plans for Phases 2 and 3 of the project. A rollercoaster of emotions transpired – tears, laughter, smiles, and sheer joy radiated through the room.

As captured in the photo, Kawan Ino le responsible des activités à Sumba Est meticulously explained the blueprint for Phases 2 and 3. This grand endeavour entails the construction of vast reservoirs, PVC pipelines crisscrossing the village, and the installation of solar panels to electrify the pumps and the school itself.

Laindatang, like many other communities in this region, grapples with extreme poverty, high malaria prevalence, infant mortality, and chronic malnutrition. Infectious diseases, particularly those tied to water, plague the residents daily. Our involvement over the past year and a half, primarily during Phase 1, has brought tangible improvements, but Phases 2 and 3 will herald an even more significant impact.

The amazing ability of water to transform health, personal growth, and well-being and promote peace is truly remarkable. We are working together to bring this essential resource to Laindatang, which will change many lives and leave a lasting impact on future generations. This project is more than just an initiative; it is a lifeline, a symbol of actions, and a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Please visit the website of the Fair Future Foundation to witness the impact of your support and contribute to this essential cause. Our collective efforts can bring the gift of life-giving water to the children of Laindatang and beyond. We appreciate your unswerving commitment to our mission.

Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu, January 31st, 2024.

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Child’s Heart Gesture: Hope in Clean Water Access

Child’s Heart Gesture: Hope in Clean Water Access

Our new "Picture of the Day" shows you a poignant snapshot of the #WaterConnections project in Laindatang, revealing our presence's profound impact on the lives of local children.

At the heart of this image, a young student from the school and village we work hard for forms a heart with his fingers, a simple but powerful gesture that symbolizes the happiness and hope our work brings to his school community. For more than a year, the Fair Future Foundation has been committed to an essential mission: radically transforming living and health conditions in this region.

The #WaterConnections project aims to introduce a fundamental but previously inaccessible resource to this child's village: clean water. His school, which houses six classes and nearly 80 students, is deprived of the most basic necessities: no water, no toilets, no sinks, no electricity, and a serious shortage of teaching materials and access to information.

Health Risks in a Water-Scarce Environment

Operating a school with 80 children without access to clean water, toilets, or handwashing facilities presents significant health risks. Such conditions foster the spread of infectious diseases, including diarrhoea, cholera, and parasitic infections, which are particularly devastating in young, developing bodies. The absence of these basic sanitary conditions impedes not only physical health but also the student's ability to learn, as illness leads to absenteeism and a decrease in academic performance.

Introducing six sanitary installations, eight handwashing stations, and a water point for students to access clean water for their long journeys back home represents a monumental shift. These improvements mean a drastic reduction in the spread of disease, enhanced personal hygiene, and the promotion of health education that extends beyond the school grounds into the community. Children can now focus on their studies without the constant threat of illness, and families can rest easier knowing their children have a safer learning environment.

The child's smile, captured in this photo, is far from insignificant. It reflects sincere joy and complicity with those who work to improve his life. It's a powerful reminder of the human impact of our work and a testament to the hope and positive change we can bring.

We are at a crucial point in our mission at Laindatang, and every contribution brings us closer to our goal. Whether it's drilling, building reservoirs, or installing sanitation, every donation makes a significant difference. We invite you to join us, support the #WaterConnections project, and be part of this vital transformation. Your generosity can literally change lives.

Visit the Fair Future Foundation website to see the impact of your support and contribute to this crucial cause. Together, we can make water, the source of life, a reality for the children of Laindatang and beyond. Thank you for your commitment to us.

Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu, January 27th, 2024.

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