In collaboration with Kawan Baik and Sumba Volunteer, Fair Future launched a comprehensive anti-malaria program targeting vulnerable communities in rural Southeast Asia. Our focus is on prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment.
We are not just fighting a disease; we are fighting for the future of communities that have been ignored for too long. This comprehensive anti-malaria program is not just a medical initiative; it’s a social contract we’re honoured to uphold.
To answer the call to combat malaria in Indonesia’s Sumba East region, we have developed a comprehensive and ambitious program. I’m Alex, the founder of Fair Future. I want to share the Herculean effort we’ve undertaken at our socio-medical base camp, Rumah Kambera, in Lambanapu, East Sumba.
Mobilization and Preparation: Three months—the time it took to prepare for this crucial mission that will span over two years, possibly more depending on the impact of our initiatives in reducing cases in the region. A hundred people, including myself and Ayu, the Director of Kawan Baik, are working day and night in East Sumba to make this project a reality. Understand that the disease here is endemic; the region is one of the most affected in the world regarding both case numbers and mortality. These are circumstances requiring immediate action and high-level coordination.
Collaboration and Coordination: We at Fair Future have joined forces with Kawan Baik and Sumba Volunteer for this mission. Alland for Sumba Volunteer and Ino for Kawan Baik oversee overall coordination. The medical trio of Dr. Aleks, Narni, and Aldo ensures the medical coordination of the entire operation.
Target and Scope: Our teams are responsible for the medical care of a population of tens of thousands of people over several years. We are focusing on vulnerable communities, the people most likely to contract this deadly disease.
Logistics and Equipment: Imagine the arrival of more than ten tons of equipment. These are 10,000 rapid malaria testing kits, four Olympus binocular microscopes, four electric generators, and twenty 180-litre medicine containers. Not to forget the 2,000 litres of diesel fuel needed to power these generators. The picture is complete with a fleet of over ten 4×4 logistical vehicles on the ground, two trucks, and a dozen all-terrain motorcycles.
Diagnosis and Treatment: One of the most critical aspects of this project is the development of early diagnosis and effective treatment of malaria. Blood draw tests have been conducted, and our microscopes are ready to detect positive cases. Once diagnosed, patients are immediately taken care of with specially prepared medical treatments.
Training and Education: Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) is one method we employ. Practical exercises on the IRS have been organized to ensure its efficacy. Equipment has been distributed to volunteers, and tests have been carried out to ensure they function correctly.
Provisions and Life on the Ground: Let’s not forget that feeding a team of a hundred people for ten days in the wilderness is an operation. It takes 350 kilograms of rice, one ton of vegetables, 5,000 eggs, 15 kilograms of coffee, 3 kilograms of tea, 30 kilograms of sugar, 50 kilograms of fish, 200 kilograms of pre-cooked (smoked by our logistics teams) chickens, and 3,000 various vitamin tablets.
All of this to say: “This is not a task for the faint-hearted. But when it comes to saving lives, we never falter. We do what must be done because the future of an entire population depends on it,” declares Alex Wettstein, Founder and President of Fair Future.
We are committed to this fight against malaria, not as a choice but as a moral obligation to humanity. And we will not stop until the mission is accomplished.
For those who are interested in supporting our mission, we are urgently in need of funding to continue our impactful programs. Your donations directly contribute to vital medical conditions and are instrumental in achieving our long-term goals.
We invite all interested individuals to view the photo gallery illustrating this exceptional work and to learn more on our Instagram account.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The September 30th, 2023.
