Unified Efforts in East Sumba Shape the Future of Water Access and Sanitation Through the #WaterConnections Laindatang Project
In Waingapu, a landmark meeting forges a strategic alliance between local communities, state, and humanitarian organizations, setting a new course for sustainable development
In a small café in Waingapu, on January 31, 2024, a crucial meeting took place, marking a decisive step for the #WaterConnections Laindatang project, which is entering its phases 2 and 3. This assembly saw the participation of key figures, including the authorities of East Sumba, the head of the education department and his assistant, responsible for all schools in the region, the village authorities, the school management and its committee, as well as the partners of Kawan Baik and Fair Future, represented in the field by Alex Wettstein, co-manager of the project.
The outcome of this meeting was the realization of remarkable success, testifying to the positive aura and recognized excellence of the humanitarian work of Fair Future and Kawan Baik for more than five years of continuous presence in East Sumba and the implementation of noted and remarkable projects.
A collaboration agreement was ratified in an atmosphere of mutual respect, symbolizing a strategic partnership between the State, the village, and the organizations involved. The Laindatang school, as an official institution, thus benefits from the support of the State, which in turn is involved in the construction of toilets. In addition, the village’s contribution, in the form of 500 meters of HDPE pipes, represents the local community’s tangible and significant commitment to this project.
The most striking element of this collaboration is undoubtedly the villagers’ commitment to working daily alongside the teams on the ground to complete the project’s construction successfully. This commitment goes beyond aid; it symbolizes a desire to learn and acquire new skills essential for the autonomy and sustainable development of the community. It has always been the critical way of working for our two organizations; it meets two goals: Empowering ultra-rural communities through learning new things.
The meeting ended with moments of conviviality, sharing coffee, fruit juice, and a collective prayer, highlighting the unity and solidarity of the actors involved. This day represents a success for the #WaterConnections Laindatang project and a strong affirmation of the ability to work together, including with the State, in a spirit of trust and cooperation.
This initiative coincides with the 15th anniversary of Fair Future, adding a sentimental and historical dimension to this commitment. The implementation of this project, planned to last until the beginning of April 2024, promises to radically transform the lives of the inhabitants of Laindatang as well as the lives of the school and the 76 children aged 6 to 12, by providing them with access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and helping to reduce child mortality as well as water and hygiene-related diseases, promising a healthier and more harmonious future for all.
The #WaterConnections Laindatang project is an eloquent testimony to what can be accomplished when diverse entities collaborate with a common goal: to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable communities. It highlights the importance of solidarity, education, and hard work, while highlighting the direct impact of such initiatives on reducing infectious diseases and promoting a healthier and safer future for all.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 1st February 2024
January 31st 2024 – In Waingapu, we are finalizing the #WaterConnections Laindatatang project, allowing work to begin immediately.
Capturing Unity and Progress: A Visual Journey Through the #WaterConnections Laindatang Project Meeting.
An Inside Look at the Pivotal Gathering in Waingapu That’s Steering the Course for Enhanced Water Access and Sanitation in East Sumba.
On January 31, 2024, in the welcoming ambience of a small café in Waingapu, a pivotal meeting unfolded, marking a significant milestone for the #WaterConnections Laindatang project as it advances into phases 2 and 3. This gathering brought together influential figures, including the dignitaries of East Sumba, the head of the education department and his aide, charged with overseeing the region’s schools, the village authorities, the school’s leadership and its committee, and the partners from Kawan Baik and Fair Future, with Alex Wettstein at the helm as the project’s co-manager.
The meeting culminated in a profound achievement, reflecting the enduring positive impact and recognized distinction of Fair Future and Kawan Baik’s humanitarian efforts, which have been a mainstay in East Sumba for over five years, yielding noteworthy and commendable projects.
A collaboration agreement was established in an environment brimming with mutual respect, signifying a strategic alliance among the State, the village, and the participating organizations. As an official entity, the Laindatang school garnered the state’s backing, notably in the construction of sanitation facilities. Moreover, the village’s pledge of 500 meters of HDPE pipes is a testament to the community’s solid and considerable dedication to this initiative.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this partnership is the villagers’ unwavering dedication to collaborative labour alongside the project teams each day to ensure the successful execution of the construction phase. This resolve extends beyond mere assistance; it embodies a genuine aspiration to imbibe and cultivate new competencies crucial for the community’s self-reliance and sustainable progress. Such an approach has been fundamental to the ethos of both Kawan Baik and Fair Future; it underscores a dual objective: Empowering ultra-rural communities by fostering the acquisition of new knowledge.
The meeting was punctuated with moments of warmth and fellowship as participants shared coffee and fruit juice and united in a collective prayer, underscoring the cohesion and camaraderie amongst all stakeholders. This occasion symbolizes a triumph for the #WaterConnections Laindatang project. It robustly reaffirms the collective capability to collaborate effectively, including with the State, in an atmosphere of trust and cooperation.
Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of Fair Future, this project imbues a layer of sentimental and historical significance to the commitment undertaken. Set to conclude by the onset of April 2024, this endeavor is poised to fundamentally transform the daily lives of the Laindatang community, including the school and its 76 children aged 6 to 12, by ensuring access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities, significantly mitigating child mortality rates and curbing water and hygiene-related ailments. This heralds a promise of a more healthful and harmonious existence for all involved.
The #WaterConnections Laindatang project eloquently illustrates the remarkable outcomes achievable when diverse groups unite towards a shared ambition: ameliorating the living standards of the most disadvantaged segments of society. It accentuates the critical role of solidarity, education, and diligent effort while simultaneously spotlighting the tangible effects such initiatives have on diminishing infectious diseases and fostering a safer, healthier future for everyone.
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 1st of February 2024
