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
