Solar Pumps, Ferrocement Tanks, and Education: Sustainable Solutions for Healthier Lives in Lapinu Village
The Water Connections Initiative: A Sustainable Solution for Lapinu Village in East Sumba
Fair Future brings clean water, solar pumps, and sanitation to Lapinu Village, empowering over 300 lives.
One of the regions in which Fair Future and Kawan Baik Foundations work, East Sumba in Indonesia, faces significant socio-economic challenges. Widespread poverty has a significant impact on the living standards of its inhabitants. In addition, tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue fever pose major health risks due to a climate conducive to mosquito breeding and uncontrolled environmental factors contributing to their spread.
The village of Lapinu is a striking example of these challenges. Its inhabitants suffer from a severe shortage of clean water, which is essential for drinking, cooking and maintaining hygiene. This shortage forces people to rely on contaminated sources, increasing the community’s vulnerability to waterborne diseases. Inadequate sanitation facilities also compound health risks by creating conditions conducive to the spread of infectious diseases.
To tackle these pressing challenges, the Fair Future Foundation has worked alongside village elders and the local school to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment:
Challenges Faced
In Lapinu, the daily battle for survival centers on unsafe water sources. Families are forced to use contaminated water for drinking, cooking, and washing, resulting in frequent outbreaks of diseases such as dysentery, cholera, and typhoid fever. Malaria and dengue thrive in stagnant waters surrounding inadequately maintained sanitation systems, worsening an already severe public health crisis.
“Safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic use, food production or recreational purposes.” – World Health Organization, 2019.
Children are the most affected by these challenges. Often malnourished and too ill to attend school, they miss out on a healthy start in life. Women and girls devote hours to fetching water, which restricts their chances for education and economic involvement. The absence of clean water and sanitation exacerbates the cycle of poverty further.
Project Plan
The Water Connections initiative for Lapinu seeks to change the current circumstances by offering sustainable access to clean water, sanitation, and vital education. The infrastructure and educational elements are crafted to empower the community and guarantee a lasting impact.
Infrastructure for accessing Clean and Safe water
Drilling and Solar Pump Installation: A well will be drilled to a depth of 40 meters, utilizing photovoltaic solar panels for power.
Elevated Reservoirs: A 10,000-liter ferrocement tank equipped with a cover will provide secure water storage and enable gravity-fed distribution.
Smaller Reservoirs: New 2,500-liter tanks will be placed in strategic locations such as schools and churches to ensure accessible water sources.
Essential and Vital Sanitation Improvements
Toilets and Septic Tanks: The construction of four gender-specific toilets, made of ferro-cement and light steel will be connected to septic tanks constructed from robust brick and concrete materials, ensuring long-term functionality and environmental safety.
Handwashing Stations: Four strategically placed stations with clear signage will be installed in high-traffic areas to maximize accessibility. Their user-friendly design encourages regular handwashing, significantly improving community health.
Community Engagement and Educational Activities
Health and Hygiene Training: All members of the village community, including teachers and children, will be trained to effectively communicate health messages, both visually and verbally.
Construction Skills: Villagers will receive training and valuable experience – which will be validated by the foundation – in creating sustainable, low-maintenance and environmentally friendly infrastructure, thereby improving their employability.
Environmental responsibility and maintenance
Ownership and Empowerment: Villagers participating in the construction will take charge of maintaining and enhancing the facilities, cultivating a sense of pride and responsibility.
Malaria Prevention: By covering water reservoirs and providing health training, the proliferation of mosquitoes can be reduced, thereby reducing the risks of malaria, Dengue fever and other malaria-related diseases.
The Effect
Fair Future brings clean water, solar pumps, and sanitation to Lapinu Village, empowering over 300 lives.
Having access to clean water will significantly decrease the prevalence of waterborne diseases, malaria, and other preventable illnesses, enhancing overall health and increasing life expectancy. Children will experience better health, attend school more consistently, and grow up with improved opportunities for their future.
Enhanced sanitation systems will eradicate hazardous practices, decrease groundwater pollution, and promote a healthier living environment. The use of ferrocement tanks, HDPE piping, and low-maintenance systems will guarantee durability and long-term usability.
The project supplies tools, safety equipment, and consumables and equips villagers with skills and resources to improve their livelihoods and strengthen community resilience.
A Brighter Future for Lapinu
Access to clean water is essential for life, health, and dignity. This project allows Lapinu’s 300 residents to overcome the challenges of disease and adversity. We can bring about enduring change by developing sustainable infrastructure and encouraging community ownership.
Fair Future welcomes you to be part of this transformative journey. Your support will save lives and equip this community with the resources they need to thrive. Together, we can ensure that water, health, and hope flow abundantly in Lapinu.
Contribute today and join the effort to make a difference.
Today, January the 13th, 2025 – Alex Wettstein
