SolarBuddy lamps Matawai Katingga for child health, prevention, and nighttime safety in East Sumba.
Clean solar light and hygiene lessons for one isolated bamboo school
Reaching the small school in Matawai Katingga takes a nearly three-hour motorbike journey through the challenging terrains of dry hills, stones, and dust. We carry essential supplies, including SolarBuddy lamps, patient files, soap, and toothbrushes. This is not just a visit; it’s part of our mission to provide primary medical care in one of East Sumba’s most isolated areas.
Upon arrival, we’re met with a hot bamboo classroom devoid of electricity and running water. Instead, children rely on natural light filtering through the walls. At night, they are exposed to the harmful effects of kerosene and wood smoke, which leads to respiratory issues — a significant health concern. Our team, in collaboration with Kawan, emphasises the importance of clean light as a form of healthcare, preventing exposure to harmful pollutants.
We distribute lamps, teaching each child how to charge them using solar energy and maintain them. Education on hygiene, safe water, nutrition, and basic healthcare is imparted — transforming yellow containers into handwashing stations.
Through the SolarBuddy app, each lamp is tracked, offering transparency to Rotary and partners, highlighting logistics as a form of preventive medicine. This initiative combines medicine, engineering, and education, reducing the need for medication by addressing its root causes. A little light, indeed, heralds change. From the hills, small green dots of light indicate each child’s newfound safety and health.
Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia stand by us in this life-changing endeavour.
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 17th of November, 2025
Other inspiring organisations
