Overcoming Challenges: Foundation Determination Leads to Access to Remote Villages
Despite dangerous conditions and broken promises, the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of poor villagers has triumphed. After fixing the impassable road, a truck loaded with building materials finally reached the remote village of Laindatang. This remarkable achievement, accomplished with the help of resilient villagers, represents an important step in providing vital resources and support to a community bereft of basic necessities.
Yesterday was a great day for the Foundation, as for the first time in months, a truck loaded with equipment reached the village of Laindatang, where we had been working for several months. It was no easy feat because the road leading to the village is not only dangerous for any vehicle that ventures on it but also largely impassable for trucks weighing over 10 tons carrying construction materials for the projects we are undertaking.
Therefore, we have been repairing the road leading to the village for the past few days. It’s a remarkable achievement that we can accomplish with the help of the village residents. It’s hot, steep, slippery, and we have almost no tools, only our hands. The day before yesterday, we made the first attempt with a truck, but it failed to climb the slope; worse, it broke the bolts of the right rear wheel because the hill was too steep, and the truck was likely overloaded.
Two months ago, the department responsible for road infrastructure promised to support us in repairing the most critical areas. We haven’t seen anything, and no one has come to improve their road. Worse, the person who promised us help never responded, unreachable. It’s sad because this person in charge (PUPR Sumba Timur) made a promise not only to us but also to the villagers; I quote, “-We will fix part of the road leading to Laindatang so that Fair Future and Kawan Baik can help the villagers.”.
These people live in extreme poverty without electricity, water, and sanitation facilities, suffering from malaria and insufficient food. It was unthinkable for us to leave them stranded just because the road leading to the village did not allow us to carry out the planned medical and social projects with them (at the request of the regent of Sumba Timur).
Therefore, after repairing the road yesterday, it was an immense joy for all of us to see that truck loaded with construction materials successfully climbing the extremely slippery and steep slopes to reach Laindatang, this ultra-rural and isolated village. I almost cried because I have dedicated nearly a year to making this project come true. It is a great happiness. Yesterday, I was alone, learning how to juggle the drone, camera, phone, and GoPro to present you with these few images. I burned waiting for the truck on a hillside, but it was worth it.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of you who have supported us throughout this journey. Your belief in our mission has been a driving force behind our efforts. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the villagers of Laindatang for their unwavering support and resilience.
#WaterConnections #Laindatang #FairFutureFoundation #FoundationDetermination #OvercomingChallenges #MakingAnImpact #SupportingRemoteVillages #CommunityDevelopment #VillageEmpowerment #InfrastructureImprovement #HumanitarianEfforts #RuralDevelopment #PovertyAlleviation
