Hambarita rainwater tank securing 5,300 litres for safer daily health care
Close roof catchment and simple plumbing reduce disease risk at home
Wai Ma Njanjar is a community-built rainwater reservoir in Hambarita. Where streams vanish for months, this ferrocement tank now stores 5,300 litres close to the households that need it most. Fair Future and Kawan Baik teams worked with families to survey the slope, mark safe access paths, and set a tank footprint that will not crack in heat and drought. Wall thickness and rings were reinforced, plumbing kept simple, and all parts are repairable with local tools.
Catchment was designed for quality, not just volume. Three gutters per roof feed a short two-metre run into the inlet to limit first rain losses. A tight lid, screened vent, and overflow protection keep water safe from dust, insects, and animals. The faucet is positioned at a comfortable height, allowing children to fill containers without needing to climb. Routine tasks are agreed upon with the families: cleaning gutters, checking the screen, flushing the first bucket, washing the apron, and logging issues.
This is Primary Medical Care by design. Water within steps of the home cuts diarrhoeal disease, skin infections, and poor wound healing. It saves the time spent on long walks, which can increase ithe risk of njuries and heat exposure. With water nearby, handwashing is not a theory but a habit, and cooking is safer. The site is located 28 km from Rumah Kambera, so reliability is crucial: it must be simple, sealed, gravity-fed, and easy to maintain.
Wai Ma Njanjar serves three households today and will benefit neighbours. It turns storms into months of health, time for school, and dignity. Built by local hands, guided on-site by Fair Future and Kawan Baik, it is a practical solution to a harsh climate and daily needs.
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 31st of October, 2025












 
									 
									 
									 
									 
									 
									 
									 
									 
									 
									