Fair Future has paused drilling in Laindatang after nine months due to technical challenges.
The team now focuses on a 100m³ rainwater harvesting system to ensure clean drinking water for over 600 villagers.
A Rigorous Drilling Journey and a New Beginning: These 30 images capture key moments from the #WaterConnections project in Laindatang, showcasing our relentless battle against harsh environmental conditions. After nine months of hard work and determination, we temporarily suspended drilling operations. Launched in February 2024, this ambitious undertaking aimed to construct a deep borehole in one of the driest regions in the world. However, technical challenges, geological issues and safety concerns forced us to halt progress. This gallery takes you through the arduous journey: the dismantling of equipment, the tired faces etched deep in the air from hard work on arid ground, and most poignantly, the small amounts of water discovered after such tremendous efforts.
Dejected expressions, but unwavering determination: Each image tells a story. Our tired, sometimes somber faces reveal our struggle with the stubborn soil and the well that failed to live up to expectations. These photos illustrate the complex process: dismantling, rebuilding, and working hard to stabilize the wells amidst scorching heat in a region where resources are extremely limited. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to finding solutions to provide clean water to these ultra-rural villages.
A New Beginning: Rainwater Harvesting: Starting October 5, 2024, we are entering a new phase. Rather than persisting in drilling with our existing equipment, we are focusing on building a 100 cubic meter rainwater harvesting tank. These photos illustrate this crucial transition: forward-looking and innovative solutions. This tank is designed to collect and filter rainwater, providing more than 600 residents of Laindatang with reliable access to clean water.
“Pausing the drilling in Laindatang is not the end but a shift in strategy. Our team’s focus now is on providing a sustainable rainwater solution to secure clean water for these families.” – Alex Wettstein, CEO and Founder, Fair Future Foundation.
Safety First: Our drilling teams have encountered perilous conditions, such as landslides in the wells that have damaged equipment and put the safety of our workers at risk. This gallery showcases these daily challenges while highlighting the courage of all those committed to moving forward. We made the decision to stop drilling not out of a lack of determination, but rather out of concern for the safety of our team and to evaluate optimal long-term solutions.
Creating a Better Future with Your Support: These photos highlight the difficult realities we face, but they also demonstrate our resilience. The temporary cessation of drilling is not a setback; it is an opportunity to reflect, reassess, and move toward more sustainable solutions. With your generous donations and continued support, we are committed to continuing our fight for access to clean water for the families of Laindatang and Hambarita.
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 4th of October 2024
