Glossary of Humanitarian and Medical Terms

Fair Future: A Swiss Humanitarian Organization Dedicated to Medical and Social Action

Fair Future is a Swiss foundation (Federal Number: CH-550.1.057.027-8) dedicated to delivering medical and social assistance where it is needed most. Since 2008, the organization has worked tirelessly to provide life-saving aid to tens of thousands of people, particularly in ultra-rural regions of Indonesia where access to healthcare, clean water, and basic infrastructure is nonexistent.

Fair Future is more than an aid organization; it is a movement for change. By working directly in the field, the foundation not only offers immediate relief but also gains first-hand knowledge of the daily struggles of vulnerable communities. This direct engagement allows Fair Future to advocate for systemic change, highlight inequalities, and develop innovative solutions to break the cycle of poverty and preventable diseases.

The foundation operates with an unwavering commitment to action, bringing medical care, clean water, nutrition, and education to those who have been left behind. Through its hands-on approach, Fair Future shines a light on the harsh realities of ultra-rural life and works to build sustainable, long-term solutions for a better future.

Why ZEWO certification is essential for Fair Future

For Fair Future, obtaining ZEWO certification is more than recognition; it's a strategic and moral milestone. It confirms that we manage donations and field activities with rigour, transparency, and efficiency.

ZEWO certification sets high standards. Every donated franc must be used efficiently; administrative costs need to remain low. Communication must be honest and verifiable, and we must report regularly and transparently. This rigorous process will audit our governance, structure, projects, and financial management.

We are pursuing this process now because, after over fifteen years of impactful work and proven ability to transform donations into vital actions, it's essential to deepen our commitment to our donors, partners, and families we support.
We must demonstrate that our model, with no salaries and over 93% of funds directly invested in the field, not only stands out but also meets the highest standards recognised in Switzerland and beyond.

Achieving ZEWO certification will signal that Fair Future honours its humanitarian, ethical, and financial obligations to all who trust us. This will enhance our credibility, ease future dealings with institutional partners, and reassure donors about the effectiveness of their generosity.

The path ahead may be long—possibly months or a year—but we are determined to embark on it, understanding that it will strengthen our impact on those who need it most.

Thank you for believing in our work and being part of this unique adventure.

Alex Wettstein, for Fair Future Foundation

The Power of Giving: A Force for Personal and Social Transformation

• Creates Positive Impact – Giving supports actions that directly improve lives and solve real-world problems.
• Builds Empathy – Giving helps you connect emotionally with others, fostering compassion and mutual understanding.
• Strengthens Communities – Giving unites people around common goals, creating networks of support and resilience.
• Inspires Generosity – Acts of giving inspire others to contribute, creating a ripple effect of kindness and generosity.
• Promotes Social Change – Giving drives initiatives that address inequalities, poverty, and other social injustices.
• Enhances Well-Being – Studies show that giving boosts happiness and life satisfaction by activating pleasure pathways in the brain.
• Reduces Loneliness – Connecting through giving reduces isolation, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
• Supports Mental Health – Acts of kindness and generosity have been shown to lower stress and improve mental health.
• Creates a Legacy – Giving creates a positive impact that outlives the giver, making a lasting difference for future generations.
• Builds Trust – Giving promotes trust, collaboration, and cooperation within families, communities, and organizations.
• Improves Financial Efficiency – Strategic giving to effective organizations maximizes impact and makes donations more valuable.
• Strengthens Personal Values – Giving aligns with and reinforces personal values, such as compassion, generosity, and fairness.
• Fosters Gratitude – The act of giving cultivates a sense of gratitude for what you have and for the opportunity to make a difference.
• Bridges Divides – Giving connects people from different backgrounds, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
• Creates a Culture of Generosity – A giving mindset transforms society, promoting a culture where helping others becomes the norm.

What Are Quick News?

Quick News are short, real-time updates about what Fair Future is doing right now. They highlight important actions, new projects, partnerships, and progress updates, often without requiring a full article—though some topics may be expanded later.

This category exists to keep you informed about our daily work, offering bite-sized insights into our actions on the ground. Every Quick News post reflects our commitment to transparency, showing you where resources go, what challenges we face, and how we respond.

Whether it’s a medical mission, a new initiative, or an urgent need, Quick News lets you stay connected to our work, in real-time. We invite you to follow these updates—because every action, big or small, makes a difference!

The Report in 15 Points – 2024 Summary

• In 2024, Fair Future celebrated 15 years of humanitarian action in Indonesia, with no Swiss staff—only field-based volunteers.
• We focused on the poorest areas, especially East Sumba, where access to clean water, healthcare, and education is minimal or nonexistent.
• Twenty-one Kawan Sehat agents treated over 800 patients monthly with complete medical kits and training in 15 essential care modules.
• The Primary Medical Care program became a unique and recognised model, supported by local health authorities in East Sumba.
• We built four 5,300L ferrocement tanks in Laindatang and planned a 115m³ reservoir after nine months of unsuccessful drilling.
• For the first time, we installed handwashing stations and toilets in a school, changing hygiene practices for dozens of children.
• Three mixed-gender sanitation blocks were constructed to enhance hygiene for pregnant women and girls, thereby reducing the risk of malaria and polio.
• A new nutrition program was developed through community workshops, a food pyramid tool, shared meals, and small village gardens.
• We prepared and secured 2,224 SolarBuddy lamps, 300 of which were distributed to four schools that lacked electricity.
• The new Truck & Load was purchased and used for logistics and water-related transport, travelling thousands of kilometres off-road.
• The Truck of Life, our 4x4 medical ambulance, was repaired and resumed missions, delivering urgent care and medical equipment.
• Our health education efforts expanded with the creation of nine visual posters on hygiene, addiction, nutrition, and life-saving practices.
• These posters were printed on fabric, and our 150-page Kawan Sehat field manual was fully updated and reprinted.
• Rumah Kambera, our base camp, hosted all logistics and trainings, but must be replaced by a new medical base in 2025.
• In 2025, our priorities are to save the PMC program, expand water access, build a new field HQ, and achieve ZEWO certification.

Our story: a journey of heart, sweat and unwavering dedication.

Our journey at Fair Future Foundation has been fueled by determination and an unwavering commitment to driving impactful change. Since we began our work in Indonesia in 2006, my goal (Alex speaks) has been to create a lasting legacy of sustainability and meaningful interventions. Today, our reach extends across borders, touching Southeast Asia's remote and often overlooked regions with a strong presence in the eastern provinces of Indonesia, where needs have evolved into complex emergencies.

The core of our work goes beyond individual actions; it is a story of resilience and vision. Since 2006, every health facility has been built, medical units have been deployed, sanitation systems have been installed, water wells have been drilled, and people have been treated, which represents a chapter in this larger narrative. It weaves together all our efforts to uplift marginalized communities and enhance their collective futures.

Since 2008, our advocacy efforts have directly assisted hundreds of thousands and indirectly influenced countless more, highlighting the profound impact of our commitment to ultra-rural communities in Southeast Asia. These often-overlooked regions exemplify the fulfilment of our mission, which focuses on making incremental changes and fundamentally transforming daily life for individuals and whole communities.

Fair Future is fundamentally a blend of shared aspirations and joint efforts—a gathering of "good friends," so to speak. Our outstanding team and steadfast partners create a dynamic combination of strategy and creativity that leads to health, education, and emergency relief initiatives. Each project aims not only to deliver essential services but also to transform the medical, educational, and social systems that influence the quality of life for those we assist.

Our vision transcends simple acts of charity, venturing into the realm of possibility and exploring what can be achieved. Our mission, though challenging, inspires an unwavering determination to turn the impossible into reality.

Thank you for reading us. Today, January, the 3rd, 2025 – Alex Wettstein

What Is "Picture of the Day"?

The Picture of the Day is exactly what it sounds like—a single photo that tells a powerful story. Though we don’t publish one every day, each image captures a moment that moved us, something raw, emotional, and real.

It could be a person, a family’s struggle, an object with deep meaning, a medical situation, a project taking shape, or simply a glimpse into our daily life in the field. Some photos highlight challenges we’ve tackled, while others reveal urgent needs where your support can make a difference.

This section isn’t just about photography—it’s about emotion, impact, and action. Each Picture of the Day invites you to see what we see, feel what we feel, and understand the realities we face every day.

How to Contact Us? It's Simple!

Reaching out to Fair Future is easy! Whether you have a question, want to collaborate, volunteer, or simply learn more about our work, there are multiple ways to connect with us:

• Email: The most direct and efficient way—find our contact emails on our Contact Page and write to us anytime.
• Phone & WhatsApp: Need a quick response? Call or message us via WhatsApp for direct communication.
  • +41 (79) 631 29 69
  • +62 (62) 8 7777 3333 84
• Social Media: Stay updated and engage with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), and LinkedIn. Send us a DM or comment—we’re listening!
• Website: Visit our site, explore our projects, and fill out the contact form to reach the right team.

Whatever your inquiry—partnerships, donations, volunteering, or fieldwork—we are here to listen and respond. Your voice matters!

How Do Your Donations Reach Indonesia?

When you donate to Fair Future Foundation’s Swiss bank accounts, the funds are carefully managed to ensure maximum impact. When a program in Indonesia requires funding, we use Wise, a fast, secure, and transparent payment system.

This allows us to transfer specific amounts for each project or purchase, ensuring traceability and accountability. Every transaction generates a clear financial record, maintaining full transparency and facilitating accurate accounting.

To optimize resources, we transfer funds from our Swiss account (BCV) to our Indonesian foundation, Kawan Baik Indonesia, only when exchange rates are favorable—ideally between 17,000 and 18,000 IDR per CHF. This careful strategy helps maximize the impact of every donation, supporting our mission while ensuring the foundation's financial stability both in Switzerland and Indonesia.

Essential Medical Terms for Eye Health and Vision Care

1. UV Rays: Invisible radiation from the sun that can harm eyes and skin, leading to cataracts, macular degeneration, and other damage.
2. Macular Degeneration: A condition causing loss of central vision due to damage to the retina's central part, often linked to aging or UV exposure.
3. Cataracts: Clouding of the eye's lens, leading to blurry vision, often caused by UV exposure or aging.
4. Digital Eye Strain: A condition caused by prolonged screen use, leading to symptoms like dryness, headaches, and blurred vision.
5. Glaucoma: A group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often caused by increased pressure in the eye, leading to vision loss.
6. Diabetic Retinopathy: A diabetes-related eye disease where damaged blood vessels in the retina cause vision problems.
7. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Essential nutrients found in fish that support retinal health and reduce dry eye symptoms.
8. Tear Production: The process of creating tears to keep the eyes moist, protect against infection, and maintain comfort.
9. Optic Nerve Damage: Injury or disease affecting the nerve that transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain, potentially causing vision loss.
10. Night Blindness: Difficulty seeing in low light, often caused by vitamin A deficiency or retinal conditions.
11. Routine Eye Exams: Regular checkups to detect and prevent eye diseases like glaucoma or cataracts before symptoms appear.
12. Inflammation: The body’s response to injury or irritants, which in the eyes can lead to chronic conditions or discomfort.
13. Antioxidants: Substances like vitamins C and E that protect cells, including those in the eyes, from damage caused by free radicals.
14. Retina: The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, crucial for vision, often affected by conditions like macular degeneration.

Lexicon of 15 Key Terms Related to Malaria

• Malaria – A life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
• Plasmodium – The genus of parasites responsible for malaria; the five species affecting humans are P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi.
• Anopheles Mosquito – The primary vector of malaria; only female Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit the parasite.
• Endemic – A term describing a disease regularly found in a particular region or population, such as malaria in tropical and subtropical areas.
• Transmission – The process by which malaria spreads from an infected mosquito to humans through a bite.
• Incubation Period – The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms, typically ranging from 7 to 30 days, depending on the Plasmodium species.
• Symptoms – Common signs of malaria include fever, chills, sweating, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and in severe cases, organ failure or coma.
• Severe Malaria – A life-threatening stage of malaria that can cause complications like cerebral malaria, anemia, respiratory distress, and organ failure.
• Cerebral Malaria – A severe form of malaria affecting the brain, leading to seizures, coma, and potential long-term neurological damage.
• Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) – A simple test used to detect malaria parasites in a blood sample, often used in remote areas with limited laboratory access.
• Antimalarial Treatment – Medications used to treat malaria, including artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), chloroquine, and primaquine.
• Drug Resistance – The reduced effectiveness of malaria treatments, particularly P. falciparum resistance to chloroquine and artemisinin in some regions.
• Vector Control – Methods to reduce mosquito populations and prevent malaria, including insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS).
• Malaria Prevention – Strategies to reduce infection include using mosquito nets, taking prophylactic medications, and eliminating breeding grounds.
• Elimination & Eradication – Elimination refers to reducing malaria cases to zero in a specific region, while eradication is the global, permanent end of malaria transmission.

15 Major Health Issues Caused by Air Pollution and Their Impact on Vital Organs

• Asthma: Air pollution irritates the airways, causing inflammation and increasing asthma attacks.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Fine particles damage lung tissue, leading to chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function.
• Lung Cancer: Long-term exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 and toxic chemicals increases the risk of lung cancer.
• Heart Disease: Polluted air triggers inflammation in blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks and high blood pressure.
• Stroke: Fine particles enter the bloodstream, causing blood vessel blockages that can lead to strokes.
• Cognitive Decline & Dementia: Air pollution contributes to brain inflammation, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
• Diabetes: Chronic exposure to air pollution triggers systemic inflammation, increasing insulin resistance and the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Respiratory Infections: Pollutants weaken lung defenses, making individuals more susceptible to pneumonia, bronchitis, and other infections.
• Premature Birth & Low Birth Weight: Pregnant women exposed to air pollution face higher risks of preterm labor and underdeveloped newborns.
• Weakened Immune System: Toxic air disrupts immune function, making the body more vulnerable to infections and autoimmune diseases.
• Chronic Fatigue: Air pollution reduces oxygen levels in the blood, leading to chronic fatigue and reduced energy levels.
• Liver Damage: Inhaled pollutants enter the bloodstream and accumulate in the liver, leading to inflammation and metabolic disorders.
• Kidney Disease: Long-term exposure to fine particles and toxins increases kidney stress, leading to higher risks of renal disease.
• Eye Irritation & Vision Problems: Airborne pollutants cause chronic eye irritation, leading to redness, dryness, and even long-term vision impairment.
• Mental Health Disorders: Pollution-related inflammation affects neurotransmitters, increasing risks of anxiety, depression, and cognitive stress.

15 Major Problems Caused by Alcohol Abuse

• Liver Cirrhosis – Chronic alcohol consumption leads to liver scarring, causing liver failure and eventual death.
• Pancreatitis – Alcohol inflames the pancreas, causing severe pain, digestive issues, and potentially fatal complications.
• Heart Disease – Increases the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure, weakening the cardiovascular system.
• Alcoholic Hepatitis – A severe liver inflammation that can rapidly progress to liver failure and death.
• Cancer – Alcohol is linked to liver, throat, esophageal, breast, and colorectal cancers, increasing mortality risks.
• Brain Damage – Chronic alcohol use impairs memory, cognitive function, and leads to irreversible neurological damage.
• Weakened Immune System – Alcohol reduces the body’s ability to fight infections, making people more vulnerable to diseases.
• Mental Health Disorders – Increases depression, anxiety, and suicide risk, exacerbating existing mental health conditions.
• Domestic Violence – Alcohol fuels aggression, leading to increased cases of spouse and child abuse in households.
• Road Accidents – Drunk driving causes fatal crashes, often killing innocent people in the process.
• Family Breakdown – Alcohol abuse leads to neglect, broken marriages, and children growing up in unstable environments.
• Crime and Violence – Alcohol impairs judgment, leading to fights, theft, sexual violence, and other criminal activities.
• Financial Ruin – Alcoholics spend excessive money on alcohol, leaving families struggling for food, healthcare, and education.
• Workplace Instability – Alcohol abuse leads to absenteeism, poor performance, and job loss, reducing financial security.
• Healthcare Costs – The treatment of alcohol-related diseases burdens hospitals and drains public health resources.

15 Health Tips for Families in Ultra-Rural Regions

• Always use clean water for drinking, cooking, and making baby food. Dirty water can quickly make children sick.
• Boil water if you don’t have clean sources. Let it cool before drinking or giving to children.
• Wash your hands with soap before eating, feeding babies, and using the toilet.
• Cut children’s nails short and keep them clean. Dirty nails can carry germs into their mouths.
• Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water to remove dirt and bacteria.
• Cover water containers tightly to protect them from insects, animals, and dust.
• Use safe toilets or latrines. Avoid open defecation, which can spread disease into drinking water.
• Always wash dishes with clean water and soap after every meal. If possible, let them dry in the sun.
• Clean cooking areas and store food in covered containers to keep away flies and dirt.
• Feed children freshly cooked food. Food that sits out for hours can cause stomach problems.
• If a child has diarrhoea, give them safe water to drink often and seek medical help quickly.
• Recognise the danger signs: diarrhoea lasting more than a day, high fever, extreme tiredness.
• Teach children why clean water and hygiene matter. Simple things can save lives.
• Listen to health agents like Kawan Sehat — they know how to treat infections and help families stay healthy.

Share these tips with your neighbours. The village needs clean water, clean habits, and healthy children to grow strong together.

Glossary of 15 Key Health and Technical Terms Related to Sleep and Its Disorders

• Sleep Hygiene: A set of practices and habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a conducive sleep environment, aimed at improving sleep quality.
• Insomnia: The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep despite having the opportunity, often leading to fatigue, mood disturbances, and decreased performance.
• Sleep Apnea: A disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often caused by obstructed airways or brain signal issues, leading to poor-quality rest.
• Circadian Rhythm Disorders: Disruptions in the body’s internal clock that regulate the sleep-wake cycle, often caused by jet lag, shift work, or irregular sleep schedules.
• Narcolepsy: A neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the day.
• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): A condition causing an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations, particularly at night, disrupting sleep.
• Hypersomnia: Excessive sleepiness during the day or prolonged nighttime sleep that does not result in feeling rested, often due to medical conditions or disorders.
• Sleep Deprivation: A condition resulting from insufficient sleep over time, leading to physical, emotional, and cognitive impairments.
• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: A disorder in which a person acts out vivid dreams during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, sometimes causing injury.
• Sleepwalking (Somnambulism): A behavior disorder that occurs during deep sleep, where a person performs complex activities, such as walking or talking, without being aware of it.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): A condition characterized by extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest and may be linked to poor sleep quality.
• Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS): A disorder where a person’s sleep schedule is delayed by two or more hours beyond the conventional bedtime, causing difficulty waking at desired times.
• Hypoxia: A condition where insufficient oxygen reaches the brain and body during sleep, often associated with sleep apnea.

15 Tips to Teach Children to Protect Our Future

• Lead by Example – Children learn by observing. Show them how to be responsible citizens by adopting sustainable habits yourself.
• Teach Respect for Nature – Encourage kids to appreciate and care for the environment by spending time outdoors, planting trees, or visiting natural reserves.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Explain the importance of waste reduction and make recycling a fun and engaging activity at home.
• Save Water and Energy – Teach simple habits like turning off lights when leaving a room and not wasting water while brushing their teeth.
• Encourage Critical Thinking – Help them analyze environmental issues, question solutions, and think about how their actions impact the world.
• Support Sustainable Choices – Explain the impact of food, clothing, and product choices. Teach them to favor local, ethical, and sustainable alternatives.
• Talk About Climate Change – Use age-appropriate explanations to help them understand global challenges and their role in protecting the planet.
• Promote Kindness and Empathy – A sustainable future is not just about the environment but also about how we treat others. Encourage acts of kindness and compassion.
• Involve Them in Community Projects – Engage children in clean-up days, tree-planting events, or local initiatives that promote environmental responsibility.
• Teach the Value of Sharing – Show them that resources are not infinite and that sharing, donating, and avoiding waste are essential for a fairer world.
• Make Learning Fun – Use stories, games, and interactive activities to educate them about sustainability and global issues in an engaging way.
• Encourage Responsible Consumption – Teach them to think before buying and to appreciate quality over quantity, reducing unnecessary waste.
• Foster a Connection with Animals – Understanding and respecting animals fosters a sense of responsibility for all living beings and their ecosystems.
• Explain the Power of Their Voice – Show them that even as children, they can raise awareness, influence others, and take action for a better future.
• Show Them How to Take Action – Whether through petitions, volunteering, or small daily gestures, empower them with ways to make a difference in the world.

15 Major Dangers Linked to Rising Temperatures

• Water Scarcity: Increased evaporation and prolonged droughts reduce freshwater availability, leading to severe shortages in ultra-rural areas.
• Heatwaves and Heatstroke: Extreme temperatures cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, particularly affecting children and the elderly.
• Food Insecurity: Rising temperatures disrupt agriculture, reducing crop yields and leading to malnutrition and food shortages.
• Vector-Borne Diseases: Warmer climates expand the range of mosquitoes carrying diseases like malaria and dengue, increasing infection rates.
• Waterborne Diseases: Higher temperatures accelerate bacterial growth in contaminated water sources, leading to cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid outbreaks.
• Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases: Heat intensifies air pollution by increasing ozone levels, worsening asthma and other respiratory conditions.
• Skin Cancer and UV Exposure: Increased ultraviolet radiation raises the risk of skin cancer, especially in areas with limited access to healthcare and protective measures.
• Extreme Weather Events: Higher temperatures fuel hurricanes, cyclones, and floods, devastating communities and causing mass displacement.
• Wildfires and Smoke Inhalation: Drier conditions and heatwaves increase the frequency of wildfires, releasing toxic smoke that harms respiratory health.
• Mental Health Disorders: Climate anxiety, stress, and trauma from extreme weather events contribute to rising cases of depression and PTSD.
• Glacier Melting and Rising Sea Levels: Accelerated ice loss leads to coastal flooding, forcing communities to migrate and lose livelihoods.
• Biodiversity Loss: Temperature changes disrupt ecosystems, threatening wildlife and reducing natural resources for human survival.
• Power Grid Failures: Increased energy demand for cooling systems strains electrical grids, leading to blackouts and infrastructure failures.
• Economic Instability: Crop losses, increased health expenses, and infrastructure damage weaken economies, particularly in vulnerable regions.
• Increased Conflict and Migration: Resource scarcity, especially water and food, heightens tensions and forces populations to migrate, increasing geopolitical instability.

Why Menstrual Health Matters: 15 Reasons It’s a Public and Humanitarian Priority

• Menstrual health is a fundamental human right – Every girl and woman deserves access to safe, hygienic, and dignified menstrual care.
• Lack of menstrual hygiene causes health problems – Using unsanitary materials can lead to infections, reproductive issues, and long-term health complications.
• It affects school attendance – Many girls miss school during their periods due to pain, shame, or lack of access to toilets and hygiene products.
• It contributes to gender inequality – Stigmas around menstruation silence girls and limit their participation in education and community life.
• Periods are not a luxury – Sanitary products, clean water, and privacy should be universal—not reserved for the privileged.
• It’s linked to poverty – Families in rural areas often cannot afford pads, underwear, or soap, forcing girls to use unsafe alternatives.
• Silence creates danger – When girls are not educated about menstruation, they can feel fear, confusion, and even shame about their own bodies.
• It perpetuates misinformation – Myths about menstruation often lead to harmful social practices and discrimination.
• Water and toilets are essential – Menstrual health cannot exist without access to clean water, safe toilets, and facilities to wash and change.
• Empowering women starts here – Teaching girls about their bodies helps them make informed health decisions and builds self-worth.
• It strengthens communities – When girls are supported, they stay in school, become leaders, and contribute to local development.
• It reduces child marriage – Educated, empowered girls are more likely to delay marriage and childbirth.
• Health agents become change agents – Local women trained in health care, like Kawan Sehat, can break taboos from within the community.
• Breaking the silence saves lives – When communities speak openly about menstrual health, they reduce preventable suffering and death.
• It’s not just a women’s issue – Menstrual health impacts families, education systems, and economies. It’s everyone’s responsibility

Lexicon of 15 Main Health and Technical Issues Related to Social Media

• Cyberbullying: Harassment, threats, or humiliation experienced online, often causing anxiety and depression.
• Sleep Disruption: Poor sleep quality or insomnia caused by excessive screen time and blue light exposure.
• Social Anxiety: Increased fear of social judgment due to constant exposure to curated online personas.
• FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Anxiety caused by seeing others’ activities and feeling excluded or left behind.
• Low Self-Esteem: Reduced confidence and self-worth resulting from constant comparison to idealized content.
• Digital Addiction: Compulsive use of social media platforms interfering with daily life and responsibilities.
• Mental Fatigue: Cognitive overload from consuming large amounts of online content, leading to exhaustion.
• Body Dysmorphia: Unrealistic beauty standards online promoting dissatisfaction with one’s appearance.
• Attention Deficit: Difficulty focusing due to constant distractions and rapid consumption of short content.
• Isolation: Feelings of loneliness resulting from replacing face-to-face interactions with virtual ones.
• Tech Neck: Chronic neck and shoulder pain caused by prolonged device use in poor posture.
• Exposure to Harmful Content: Access to inappropriate, violent, or triggering material that impacts mental health.
• Echo Chamber Effect: Narrowing of perspectives due to algorithms reinforcing existing beliefs and biases.
• Privacy Breaches: Unauthorized access or misuse of personal data shared on social media platforms.
• Misinformation Spread: False or misleading information disseminated widely, leading to confusion or harm.

The 15 Most Common Diseases and Health Issues Related to Active Smoking

• Lung Cancer: Smoking causes 85% of lung cancer cases, leading to severe breathing issues and a low survival rate.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A progressive lung disease that makes breathing difficult and leads to long-term disability.
• Heart Disease: Smoking damages arteries, increases blood pressure, and raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Stroke: Tobacco use doubles the risk of stroke, reducing blood flow to the brain and causing paralysis or death.
• Throat Cancer: Smoking damages the larynx and pharynx, often requiring surgical removal of vocal cords.
• Mouth Cancer: Tobacco increases the risk of tumors in the gums, tongue, and lips, leading to severe disfigurement.
• Bladder Cancer: Chemicals from tobacco accumulate in the bladder, significantly increasing the risk of aggressive cancer.
• Esophageal Cancer: Smoking weakens the esophagus lining, making it more vulnerable to deadly tumors.
• Gastric Ulcers: Tobacco weakens stomach lining, causing painful ulcers and slowing digestion.
• Infertility: Smoking reduces sperm count in men and damages eggs in women, making conception difficult.
• Impotence: Tobacco restricts blood flow, leading to erectile dysfunction in men at a younger age.
• Diabetes Complications: Smoking increases insulin resistance and worsens diabetes-related damage to organs.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Smoking narrows blood vessels, increasing the risk of amputation.
• Weakened Immune System: Tobacco exposure suppresses immune response, making infections more severe.
• Osteoporosis: Smoking weakens bones, increasing fracture risks and reducing healing capacity.

What to Do After a Snake Bite in an Ultra-Rural Area

1. Stay calm – Panic raises heart rate, spreading venom faster. Breathe deeply.
2. Move away from the snake – Avoid a second bite, but don’t waste time capturing it.
3. Do NOT run – Moving too much accelerates venom absorption. Stay still.
4. Immobilize the bitten limb – Keep it below heart level and as still as possible.
5. Remove tight items – Rings, bracelets, and shoes can worsen swelling.
6. Do NOT suck, cut, or try to remove venom – These methods cause more harm.
7. Do NOT apply ice or heat – It increases tissue damage.
8. Do NOT apply a tourniquet – It can cause severe local damage and amputation risk.
9. Wash the wound gently – Use clean water and mild soap if available.
10. Apply a loose bandage – If possible, wrap firmly but not too tight, moving upwards.
11. Identify the snake if safe – A photo helps doctors choose the right antivenom.
12. Watch for symptoms – Swelling, pain, dizziness, vomiting, breathing issues—seek help fast.
13. Drink water – Prevent dehydration, but avoid alcohol or caffeine.
14. Seek medical help immediately – Even for non-venomous bites, infections can be deadly.
15. If unconscious or breathing slows, perform CPR – Keep the person awake and get urgent care.

Act fast, stay calm, and reach medical help as soon as possible!

15 Critical Insights About Secondhand Smoke and Its Public Health Impact

• Involuntary Exposure: Millions inhale toxic smoke daily without consent, often in their own homes or workplaces.
• Most Affected: Children breathe faster, absorb more toxins, and suffer lifelong respiratory consequences.
• Pregnancy Risks Multiply: Smoke exposure can lead to premature birth, miscarriage, and developmental disorders.
• Smoke Doesn’t Stay Put: Toxins cling to skin, clothes, hair, and surfaces—harm persists long after the cigarette is gone.
• Thirdhand Smoke Is Real: Residual chemicals remain on fabrics and furniture, still harmful to babies and children.
• One in Five Deaths in Indonesia: Tobacco-related illnesses account for 20% of all deaths in Indonesia, including secondhand smoke.
• Asthma and Lung Infections: Secondhand smoke increases the risk of asthma attacks, bronchitis, and pneumonia in non-smokers.
• Heart Disease in Non-Smokers: Exposure raises the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 30%, even with limited contact.
• A Legal Void: Indonesia lacks national laws protecting non-smokers, leaving millions without recourse.
• Public Spaces Are Unsafe: Markets, schools, and hospitals are frequently polluted by tobacco smoke without enforcement.
• Economic Burden: Tobacco-related diseases strain health systems and keep families in cycles of poverty.
• Invisible But Deadly: Smoke damage often begins at the cellular level, long before symptoms appear.
• Cultural Normalisation: Smoking is embedded in social norms, making change difficult without strong public campaigns.
• We Need Smoke-Free Zones: Designated no-smoking areas save lives and model healthier community standards.
• Health Is a Shared Responsibility: Choosing not to smoke near others is not just kind—it’s lifesaving and socially just.

15 Problems That Can Arise Without Laughter and Smiling

• Increased Stress – Without laughter, cortisol levels rise, leading to chronic stress and anxiety.
• Weakened Immune System – A lack of joy reduces immune responses, making the body more vulnerable to illness.
• Higher Blood Pressure – Smiling helps lower blood pressure; without it, heart disease risks increase.
• Poor Mental Health – Without laughter, depression, anxiety, and negative thoughts become overwhelming.
• Stronger Pain Perception – Endorphins from laughter reduce pain; without them, discomfort feels worse.
• Social Isolation – Smiling and laughter create bonds; without them, relationships suffer and loneliness grows.
• Reduced Resilience – Laughter builds emotional strength; without it, challenges feel more overwhelming.
• Faster Aging – Chronic stress accelerates aging; laughter keeps skin and body youthful.
• Decreased Cognitive Function – Laughter boosts brain activity; without it, memory and focus decline.
• Increased Inflammation – Stress from lack of joy raises inflammation, leading to chronic diseases.
• Poor Sleep Quality – Laughter promotes relaxation; without it, insomnia and restless sleep increase.
• Lower Energy Levels – Joy and laughter boost oxygen flow; without them, fatigue and lethargy set in.
• Weaker Community Bonds – In ultra-rural areas, laughter fosters unity; without it, division grows.
• Reduced Creativity – Laughter sparks innovative thinking; without it, problem-solving skills decline.
• Higher Risk of Heart Disease – A lack of laughter increases stress, leading to cardiovascular problems.

The 15 Most Common Diseases and Health Issues Related to Passive Smoking

• Lung Cancer: Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 20-30% higher risk of lung cancer.
• Asthma Attacks: Secondhand smoke triggers severe asthma episodes, especially in children.
• Heart Disease: Non-smokers exposed to passive smoke have a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Babies exposed to smoke are at a greater risk of unexplained death.
• Miscarriage: Pregnant women exposed to smoke have higher risks of pregnancy loss.
• Low Birth Weight: Tobacco exposure in the womb leads to underdeveloped babies and health complications.
• Ear Infections: Passive smoking increases chronic ear infections, leading to hearing loss in children.
• Pneumonia: Secondhand smoke weakens lung defenses, increasing the risk of severe respiratory infections.
• Bronchitis: Inhaled toxins from smoke cause chronic coughing and lung inflammation.
• Cognitive Impairment: Passive smoke exposure is linked to memory loss and reduced brain function.
• High Blood Pressure in Children: Smoke exposure can elevate blood pressure from a young age.
• Sinus Infections: Secondhand smoke irritates nasal passages, leading to frequent sinus infections.
• Dementia: Long-term exposure to tobacco smoke is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Weakened Immune System: Passive smoke exposure lowers the body's defense against infections.
• Delayed Lung Development: Children in smoking households develop weaker lungs and lower lung capacity.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in an Ultra-Rural Area

• Stay calm – Avoid sudden movements to prevent further aggression.
• Move to a safe location – Ensure the dog cannot bite again.
• Stop the bleeding – Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth.
• Wash the wound thoroughly – Use soap and clean water for at least 5 minutes to reduce infection risk.
• Do NOT use alcohol or iodine directly on deep wounds – It can damage tissue.
• Apply antiseptic – Use povidone-iodine (Betadine) or another antiseptic if available.
• Cover the wound – Use a sterile bandage to keep dirt out.
• Check for signs of infection – Redness, swelling, pus, or fever need urgent care.
• Assess the dog’s status – If it’s stray or unvaccinated, rabies risk is high.
• Seek medical care immediately – Rabies is 100% fatal if untreated. Post-exposure vaccines must be given quickly.
• Do NOT wait for symptoms – If rabies is suspected, act before symptoms appear.
• Report the bite – If in a village, inform local health workers.
• Monitor the dog if possible – If alive after 10 days, rabies is unlikely.
• Update tetanus vaccination – If not vaccinated, a booster may be needed.
• Continue wound care – Clean daily, change bandages, and watch for infection.

Rabies is deadly—get post-bite treatment as soon as possible!

15 Things You Can Do to Support Someone Struggling Mentally, Without Medical Access

• Listen without judgment – Let them speak freely, without interrupting or correcting.
• Be present – Sometimes, your quiet company is more powerful than words.
• Check in regularly – Ask, “How are you—really?” and mean it.
• Create a safe space – Offer a calm environment where they feel protected.
• Be patient – Healing takes time; don’t rush or pressure them.
• Validate their feelings – Let them know it's okay to feel sad, angry, or afraid.
• Encourage expression – Through drawing, writing, or talking to a trusted friend.
• Protect their dignity – Never shame or gossip about their struggles.
• Offer small routines – Invite them to eat, walk, or clean together.
• Watch for danger signs – Stay alert if they mention self-harm or withdrawal.
• Talk about emotions openly – Normalise conversations about mental health.
• Stay consistent – Be a stable presence in their life.
• Avoid giving direct advice – Focus on listening more than solving.
• Invite community support – Involve others who care, gently and with respect.
• Care for yourself too – Supporting others starts with your own strength.

These actions, though simple, can be lifesaving in places where professional help doesn’t exist.

Primary Medical Care Program: Bringing Health Where No One Else Can

Established in 2023, the Primary Medical Care (PMC) program is a groundbreaking initiative created by the Fair Future Foundation to address the critical lack of healthcare in ultra-rural and remote communities. The program trains and equips Kawan Sehat health workers—95% of whom are women—with the skills, medical supplies, and resources needed to provide life-saving care in areas where no doctors, nurses, or health facilities exist.

In regions with little or no access to medical care, Kawan Sehat health workers are the first and often only line of defense against illness and injury. They diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including infections, fevers, wounds, malaria, tuberculosis, respiratory illnesses, and maternal and child health issues. They also provide health education, conduct preventive care, and refer severe cases to the nearest health facility when possible.

The PMC program treats an average of 700 to 1,000 patients each month, addressing both acute and chronic medical needs. Their impact goes beyond individual treatment: they work to reduce child mortality, prevent disease outbreaks, and improve overall public health in underserved regions.

Fair Future’s comprehensive approach includes intensive training sessions held twice a year, ensuring that Kawan Sehat health workers stay updated on new medical practices, techniques, and community health management. Each health worker is equipped with a fully stocked medical backpack, containing over 100 essential items, including medicines, first-aid supplies, and diagnostic tools.

By supporting, training, and equipping these health workers, the PMC program breaks barriers of distance, poverty, and neglect. It offers a sustainable model of community-based healthcare, empowering local communities to care for themselves and ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to medical care.

This program embodies the mission of Fair Future Foundation: to bring life-saving healthcare and hope to those who need it most, regardless of their location or circumstances.

What’s Inside the Kawan Sehat Health Agents’ Medical Backpacks?

Each Kawan Sehat health worker carries a fully equipped medical backpack, containing over 100 essential items to treat common illnesses and injuries in ultra-rural communities. These kits are designed to provide immediate and life-saving care, preventing minor health issues from becoming serious or fatal.

Inside, there are over 30 different medications, including painkillers, antipyretics, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, vitamins, antihemetics, cough suppressants, ointments and salves etc. The backpack also contains medical tools, such as blood pressure monitors, thermometers and pulse oximeters, as well as wound care supplies (disinfectants, bandages, gauze, gloves and masks) to treat cuts, infections and wounds.

Beyond medical supplies, the backpacks contain educational materials, such as healthy living fabric posters, training manuals, and Q&A booklets to help workers provide health education to families. Each worker is also equipped with a mobile phone preloaded with the Kawan Sehat app, which allows them to document cases, track patient progress, and report urgent medical needs to program coordinators.

These backpacks are more than just a medical kit: they are a real, tangible solution, ensuring that health care reaches the most isolated communities where no other medical support exists.

Medical Backpack Contents

Each medical backpack is a mobile clinic Kawan Sehat health agents use in remote areas. It includes over 50 essential items for emergency and routine care.

• Wound Care & Disinfection
  Sterile gauze pads – Wound strips – Round plasters – Antiseptic spray – Alcohol 70% – Betadine solution – Medical scissors – Tweezers – Nail scissors – Latex gloves – Face masks – Medicine bags
• Topical Treatments
  Ketoconazole cream – Gentamicin ointment – Hydrocortisone cream – Eucalyptus oil
• Medications
  Paracetamol – Ibuprofen 200mg – Ibuprofen 400mg – Loratadine – Norit charcoal – Guaifenesin – Demacolin – Tremenza – Coparcetin – Sanmol – Promedex – Caviplex multivitamins – Antasida Doen – Enbatic antibiotic powder – Antihypertensive medication*
• Diagnostic Tools
  Stethoscope* – Blood pressure monitor* – Thermometer – Eye wash cup – Ear syringe – Lice comb – Arm sling
• Additional Essentials
  ORS rehydration salts – Zinc sulfate – Amoxicillin 500mg – Cotrimoxazole – Miconazole cream – Lidocaine topical gel – Digital glucometer* – Steri-Strips – Hydrocolloid bandage – Sanitary pads
• Health Education & Records
  Nine educational posters (Malaria, Tobacco, Alcohol, Waste, Hygiene, Nutrition…) – Where There Is No Doctor book – Healthy Friends book – Health agent manual – Medical report form – Stationery set

Who Are the Kawan Sehat Healthcare Agents?

The Kawan Sehat healthcare agents are an extraordinary group of 30 women, aged 20 to 60, who come from the most remote villages in Eastern Indonesia—places where there are no roads, no clean water, no electricity, and no access to medical care. In the past, these ultra-rural communities faced preventable deaths simply because they could not reach a doctor. Now, these trained women provide essential medical care where none was available before, treating between 800 and 1,000 patients every month.

These agents undergo intensive medical training sessions twice a year, lasting one week each. This training covers both theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to diagnose, treat, and manage common illnesses, infections, and injuries. They gain expertise in handling cases of malaria, tuberculosis, respiratory illnesses, wounds, and maternal and child health issues. Their efforts prevent minor wounds from becoming life-threatening, ensure early treatment for dangerous diseases, and reduce child mortality.

In many areas, local clinics have no doctors or are critically short of essential medicines, making these Kawan Sehat health agents the only source of medical support for thousands of people. They work tirelessly, often in challenging conditions, to bring healthcare, hope, and education directly to those in need.

More than just health workers, these women are trusted members of their communities, providing comfort, knowledge, and care. They are not only saving lives—they are creating a culture of resilience and self-reliance, ensuring that even the most isolated communities have access to basic medical care and health education.

They are not just health workers—they are heroes, making a life-saving impact in places the world often forgets.

19 Essential Actions Everyone Can Take to Manage Waste and Protect the Environment

1. Stop Throwing Waste Anywhere: Dispose of waste in designated areas or bins—never in nature, rivers, or streets.

2. Separate Organic and Non-Organic Waste: Sorting waste makes recycling and composting easier, reducing landfill overflow.

3. Compost Organic Waste: Turn food scraps and biodegradable waste into natural fertilizer instead of burning or dumping them.

4. Say No to Single-Use Plastics: Avoid plastic bags, bottles, and straws—use reusable alternatives to cut plastic pollution.

5. Burning Trash is Not a Solution: Avoid burning waste, as it releases toxic fumes that harm health and the environment.

6. Reuse and Repair Whenever Possible: Fix broken items and repurpose materials instead of discarding them.

7. Recycle and Support Recycling Initiatives: Collect and bring recyclable materials to local recycling centers.

8. Use Cloth Bags and Reusable Containers: Replace plastic bags and single-use packaging with sustainable alternatives.

9. Educate Children About Waste Management: Teach kids the importance of cleanliness, sorting waste, and avoiding pollution.

10. Report Illegal Dumping and Pollution: Hold communities and authorities accountable by reporting improper waste disposal.

11. Encourage Local Waste Collection Systems: If no waste collection exists, organize community efforts for proper disposal.

12. Dispose of Hazardous Waste Properly: Batteries, chemicals, and electronics should never be mixed with regular trash.

13. Reduce Food Waste: Plan meals, store food properly, and donate excess food to minimize waste.

14. Participate in Community Clean-Up Drives: Join or organize clean-up events to keep streets, rivers, and public areas clean.

15. Support Policies and Laws on Waste Management: Advocate for government action to improve waste disposal infrastructure.

16. Use Eco-Friendly Personal Hygiene Products: Choose reusable diapers, cloth napkins, and biodegradable soaps.

17. Install and Use Community Waste Bins: Ensure waste bins are accessible in villages, markets, and public areas.

18. Protect Water Sources from Contamination: Keep trash and waste away from wells, rivers, and drinking water sources.

19. Lead by Example: Encourage neighbors and family members by practicing responsible waste management daily.

These actions empower individuals, especially in underdeveloped regions, to take responsibility for waste and create cleaner, healthier communities.

15 Health Tips for Families in Ultra-Rural Regions

• Always use clean water for drinking, cooking, and making baby food. Dirty water can quickly make children sick.
• Boil water if you don’t have clean sources. Let it cool before drinking or giving to children.
• Wash your hands with soap before eating, feeding babies, and using the toilet.
• Cut children’s nails short and keep them clean. Dirty nails can carry germs into their mouths.
• Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water to remove dirt and bacteria.
• Cover water containers tightly to protect them from insects, animals, and dust.
• Use safe toilets or latrines. Avoid open defecation, which can spread disease into drinking water.
• Always wash dishes with clean water and soap after every meal. If possible, let them dry in the sun.
• Clean cooking areas and store food in covered containers to keep away flies and dirt.
• Feed children freshly cooked food. Food that sits out for hours can cause stomach problems.
• If a child has diarrhoea, give them safe water to drink often and seek medical help quickly.
• Recognise the danger signs: diarrhoea lasting more than a day, high fever, extreme tiredness.
• Teach children why clean water and hygiene matter. Simple things can save lives.
• Listen to health agents like Kawan Sehat — they know how to treat infections and help families stay healthy.

Share these tips with your neighbours. The village needs clean water, clean habits, and healthy children to grow strong together.

Why We Created the Primary Medical Care Program

The Primary Medical Care (PMC) program was established to address the urgent lack of medical access faced by 120,000 people in the regions where we work. The challenges in these areas are extreme: there are no roads, no transportation, and no means of communication, making it nearly impossible for people to reach medical assistance. Many villages are located days away from the nearest clinic, and even upon arrival, these Puskesmas (health centers) are often empty, understaffed, or lacking essential medicines and medical equipment.

The situation is made worse by the fact that most local clinics lack electricity and clean water, and they often operate only for a few hours each day. In emergencies, such as high fevers, infected wounds, or complicated childbirths, people have no place to seek urgent help. Tragically, many have lost their lives simply because there was no one available to provide treatment when it was needed most.

The PMC program was created to fill this gap. By training Kawan Sehat health agents to deliver medical care directly to those in need, we ensure that basic healthcare becomes a reality in remote areas. These agents treat illnesses and injuries, offer health education, and work to prevent conditions from worsening. Their presence and care provide critical support to those who would otherwise be left without help.

This program is more than just a temporary solution—it is an essential lifeline. It ensures that healthcare reaches people where they live, breaking down barriers of distance, poverty, and neglect. The Primary Medical Care program is not only about treatment; it’s about building a foundation for health, dignity, and survival in the world’s most underserved communities.

15 Actions to Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change and Drought on Agriculture

1. Improve Water Conservation – Implement efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation to maximize water use.

2. Harvest Rainwater – Build reservoirs and rainwater collection systems to store water for dry seasons.

3. Promote Drought-Resistant Crops – Encourage the cultivation of crops that require less water, such as sorghum and millet.

4. Enhance Soil Health – Use compost, organic fertilizers, and crop rotation to maintain soil fertility and moisture retention.

5. Reforest and Protect Natural Ecosystems – Plant trees and protect forests to reduce soil erosion and improve local rainfall patterns.

6. Develop Sustainable Farming Practices – Train farmers in agroecological techniques to make agriculture more resilient to climate change.

7. Ensure Access to Clean Water – Expand programs like Fair Future’s Water Connections to provide sustainable water solutions.

8. Reduce Post-Harvest Losses – Improve food storage, drying techniques, and pest control to prevent waste.

9. Strengthen Community Awareness – Conduct educational campaigns on sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and climate adaptation.

10. Invest in Livestock Resilience – Provide proper water access, shade, and alternative feed sources for livestock during droughts.

11. Improve Market Access for Farmers – Support local cooperatives to ensure fair pricing and reduce economic vulnerability.

12. Enhance Nutrition Programs – Expand health and nutrition education to combat malnutrition caused by food shortages.

13. Develop Alternative Livelihoods – Encourage income diversification, such as beekeeping or fish farming, to reduce dependence on crops alone.

14. Advocate for Climate Action – Push for policies that support sustainable agriculture, reforestation, and water resource management.

15. Expand Emergency Response Plans – Strengthen local and international efforts to provide immediate relief and long-term support during climate crises.

15 Reasons Why These Trainings Are a Matter of Survival

1. No doctors: In most villages, there are no medical professionals—only Kawan Sehat agents stand between illness and tragedy.
2. Medical isolation: These agents are often the only caregivers within hours of walking distance in mountainous, disconnected terrain.
3. Early detection: They learn to identify signs of infection, complications, or emergencies before they become life-threatening.
4. Wound care: Even small injuries can lead to death. These agents are trained to clean, dress, and monitor wounds properly.
5. Fever management: They treat high fevers—often symptoms of malaria or dengue—with the right tools and rapid response.
6. Real-case practice: Each training includes real-life simulations to improve field diagnosis and emergency decision-making.
7. Updated protocols: Medical knowledge evolves. These sessions ensure agents apply current, effective care techniques.
8. Tool mastery: Agents train with thermometers, test kits, and stethoscopes to perform accurate frontline medical assessments.
9. Life-saving supplies: Trainings are also when they receive vital items like antibiotics, bandages, gloves, and antiseptics.
10. Health education: They learn how to educate communities using posters about hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention.
11. Confidence building: These sessions give them the strength to act alone, calmly, in high-pressure medical situations.
12. Peer exchange: Agents share real challenges from the field and receive answers, support, and new practical ideas.
13. Community leadership: They guide families on malaria, clean water use, menstruation, and safe waste practices.
14. No infrastructure: When no ambulance or phone signal is available, they are the only option for urgent medical help.
15. Knowledge retention: Without repeated training, skills fade. These sessions keep them sharp, efficient, and ready to save.

Where Does the Primary Medical Care Program Operate?

The Primary Medical Care (PMC) program operates in the most remote, ultra-rural regions—areas with no roads, no electricity, no clean water, no sanitation, and no access to medical care. These are the forgotten places, where people live in extreme isolation, often walking days to reach the nearest clinic, if one even exists.

We work primarily in East Sumba, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), Indonesia, one of the driest, most arid regions in the world. Home to 300,000 people, this vast area lacks basic infrastructure, with only a handful of gas stations and barely two or three traffic lights on the entire island. Over 120,000 people now benefit from the PMC program, receiving medical care directly in their villages.

Sumba is a large Indonesian island, divided into three regions. East Sumba is the largest, most isolated, and least developed, with rugged terrain, scorching heat, and almost no healthcare facilities. This is where we work—bringing life-saving medical assistance to those who need it most.

15 solutions to fill this medical gap in ultra-rural regions

• Expand Mobile Clinics – Deploy mobile units to deliver on-site medical care in remote communities.
• Train Local Health Agents – Equip community members with medical training to act as first responders.
• Enhance Telemedicine Services – Utilize digital platforms to connect rural patients with specialized care.
• Upgrade Health Infrastructure – Renovate local centers to secure reliable electricity, water, and essential equipment.
• Strengthen Supply Chains – Establish efficient logistics to ensure timely delivery of medications and supplies.
• Develop Physician Incentives – Offer competitive rewards and career growth to attract doctors to rural areas.
• Implement Preventive Health Programs – Educate communities on disease prevention and early intervention strategies.
• Foster Public-Private Partnerships – Collaborate with private entities to bolster rural healthcare resources.
• Expand Emergency Response Systems – Create rapid-response teams to manage critical health emergencies.
• Introduce Digital Health Records – Adopt electronic systems for streamlined patient data and care coordination.
• Increase Community Health Outreach – Organize regular workshops and screenings to engage and educate locals.
• Invest in Continuous Medical Education – Provide ongoing training for rural healthcare providers to enhance skills.
• Enhance Nutritional and Sanitation Initiatives – Improve local hygiene and nutrition to lower disease risk.
• Leverage International Expertise – Partner with global organizations to introduce innovative healthcare solutions.
• Optimize Resource Allocation – Prioritize budget and resources to reinforce rural medical infrastructure.

Why Publications Matter: Knowledge Saves Lives

In the most isolated corners of East Sumba, reading is more than a skill—it’s a lifeline. Clear, practical health knowledge can mean the difference between life and death in areas lacking roads, clinics, or professional doctors. We invest significantly in creating publications like the “Where There Is No Doctor” manual and the health poster guide.

These aren’t just books; they are hands-on tools for Kawan Sehat health agents and every family in the community. They explain how to treat wounds, recognise the signs of infection, purify water, prevent disease, and improve nutrition—all in simple, direct language that anyone can understand.

But we go beyond mere writing. We spend time in these villages, reading together with families, demonstrating how to use these guides, and ensuring the information can be implemented. We adapt the material to fit local cultures and daily realities, ensuring every sentence has real meaning and impact.

Reading and understanding these publications is a form of self-care and self-empowerment—a way for people to take control of their health and their future, even when formal medical support is miles away. This is why we create them, distribute them, and teach them: in places where everything is hard to reach, knowledge must come to the people.

Knowledge saves lives—because it’s more than words on a page. It’s action, resilience, and dignity in the face of neglect.

What Is the Water Connection Program?

The Water Connection program is a life-changing initiative that provides clean water access to people who have none. But it’s more than just drilling wells—it’s about transforming lives by ensuring safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in ultra-rural communities.

We build deep-water wells, reservoirs, and sustainable water distribution systems. We also construct toilets, handwashing stations, and hygiene infrastructure, because clean water alone isn’t enough—sanitation and education are essential for lasting health improvements.

With clean water, everything changes. Families can drink safely, cook nutritious meals, wash properly, clean their homes, and care for their livestock. Children stay healthier, reducing diseases caused by contaminated water. Crops can grow, ensuring better food security.

Water is life—without it, nothing survives. The Water Connection program empowers communities through water, giving them not just survival, but the ability to thrive, learn, and build a better future.

15 Things You Should Know About Ferrocement Water Tanks

1. Ferrocement tanks are durable and resist cracking better than concrete.
2. Each tank in Laindatang holds 5,300 litres of clean water.
3. Clean water prevents up to 80% of infectious diseases.
4. Ferrocement uses thin layers of cement over metal mesh, making it strong and lightweight.
5. Waterborne diseases are a leading cause of child mortality in rural Indonesia.
6. Rainwater harvested in tanks reduces reliance on distant sources.
7. Clean water improves school attendance, especially for girls.
8. Ferrocement tanks are low-cost and quick to build.
9. One tank can serve 10–15 families in Laindatang.
10. Water stored safely prevents contamination from animals or insects.
11. Ferrocement requires minimal maintenance over decades.
12. Names of tanks honour local culture and identity.
13. Stored rainwater saves communities during dry seasons.
14. Fair Future’s reservoirs are built with local labour, empowering communities.
15. Clean water is the first step toward better health and dignity for all.

Who Benefits from the Water Connection Program?

The Water Connection program serves anyone without access to clean water—entire communities, villages, families, and even individual households struggling to find safe drinking water. Many beneficiaries walk for hours, even overnight, just to collect a few liters of unsafe water, exposing themselves to disease, exhaustion, and long-term health risks.

Children are the first to benefit. They receive education on water safety, hygiene, and nutrition, ensuring they grow up with the knowledge to protect their health. Families and communities gain access to clean water for drinking, cooking, washing, and sanitation, reducing illness and improving overall well-being.

Beyond just providing water, the program teaches how to recognize clean water, purify it, and use it effectively. Clean water transforms lives—it means better health, improved nutrition, and a dignified way of living. Through Water Connection, access to water becomes more than survival—it becomes a path to a healthier, more sustainable future.

How a 5,000-Litre Water Tank Can Change Lives

In rural areas like Hambarita, access to clean water is often limited or entirely absent. A 5,000-liter ferrocement tank can make a significant difference. It supplies clean water daily for approximately 15 individuals, meeting their needs for drinking, cooking, washing, and maintaining basic hygiene.

This access decreases the likelihood of malaria, diarrhea, skin infections, and other ailments linked to contaminated water. Furthermore, it lessens the necessity for long, often unsafe treks to gather water, which can be especially burdensome for children and women.

The construction of these tanks involves the community. Families collaborate with Fair Future’s teams to mix cement, reinforce it with steel, and learn proper maintenance techniques to ensure the tank's longevity. With water readily available, children are more likely to attend school, families experience improved health, and a sense of dignity is restored.

Clean water is not merely a resource; it is essential for survival.
These 5,000 liters symbolise a move towards better health, food security, and self-sufficiency.

What Is Ferro-Cement and Why Do We Use It?

Ferro-cement is an affordable, durable, and locally adaptable construction technique that we use for building water reservoirs and infrastructure in ultra-rural areas. It consists of a strong wire mesh (or metal reinforcement) coated with layers of cement mortar, creating a lightweight yet incredibly resilient structure.

We use ferro-cement because it is cost-effective—requiring far less material than traditional concrete—and suitable for remote areas where imported construction materials are scarce or expensive. Everything needed for ferro-cement structures can be sourced locally, making it a sustainable and practical solution for communities without access to conventional building resources.

Another major advantage is knowledge transfer. Villagers learn to build ferro-cement structures alongside us, gaining skills to replicate and expand water storage solutions in their own communities. Once they master the technique, they can construct additional reservoirs, improving clean water access for more families at a minimal cost.

Ferro-cement is more than a building method—it is a scalable, self-sustaining approach that empowers communities, providing them with long-term solutions for clean water and infrastructure development.

What are the handwashing stations we build in ultra-rural areas?

Handwashing stations are essential community hygiene structures that we build in schools and communities where sanitation facilities do not exist. These stations consist of 2 to 10 sinks, providing children with a place to wash their hands, often for the first time in their lives.

In schools without adequate sanitation, once we have installed toilets and clean water systems, it becomes crucial to also provide handwashing stations. The standard ratio is one sink for every 10 students – for a school of 80 children, we install 8 to 10 sinks.

But installing sinks is not enough. We educate children and teachers on hand hygiene, proper sanitation and the importance of using soap, as many have never seen a sink, a tap or even soap before. These stations help reduce infectious diseases, improve overall health, and create healthier school environments.

By introducing clean water and hygiene practices, these stations transform daily life, promoting better health, dignity, and a more sustainable future for children in ultra-rural areas. See this poster here, too.

What Are SolarBuddy Solar Lights?

SolarBuddy solar lights are durable, rechargeable solar-powered lamps designed to bring safe and reliable lighting to children and families living without electricity. These compact and lightweight lights charge during the day using solar energy and provide hours of bright illumination at night, eliminating the need for costly and hazardous alternatives.

In ultra-rural schools where no electricity exists, Fair Future distributes SolarBuddy lights to students, ensuring they have a dependable light source. Without access to electricity, children struggle to study after dark, walk home safely, or complete simple daily tasks. Many families rely on kerosene lamps, which are toxic, expensive, and a fire hazard. By replacing them with SolarBuddy lights, we reduce health risks, lower fire hazards, and provide a cleaner, more sustainable solution.

Beyond simply lighting homes, SolarBuddy empowers entire communities. These lamps allow children to study longer, improve education, and enhance safety at night. Families can cook, fetch water, and move safely through their villages without the dangers of darkness or unsafe lighting alternatives.

With thousands of children in East Sumba still without access to electricity, the SolarBuddy program is a lifeline, bringing hope, education, and opportunity to those who need it most. More information: solar buddy.org - Illumitating futures.

The Influence of Light on Physical and Mental Well-being

Even a small illumination source can be life-changing for families living in extremely remote areas with little light. Physically, it minimises the risks of accidents during night travel and cooking. Additionally, it reduces respiratory issues linked to smoke from kerosene lamps, creating a healthier home environment.

On a psychological level, light alleviates the anxiety and fear of darkness. It promotes a sense of security and dignity, enabling children to feel safe enough to learn and dream, while empowering adults to care for their families more confidently. Light also prolongs daylight, facilitating more productive hours, enhancing nutrition and hygiene by allowing safe food preparation and improving household activities.

A simple lamp reinstates a sense of agency and control over daily routines in these communities. It represents more than mere illumination; it provides a pathway to enhanced health, mental wellness, and social connectivity, affirming every family’s right to safety, dignity, and opportunity.

15 Key Benefits of SolarBuddy Lamps for Ultra-Rural Families

• Safety for children and families: Reduces accidents, falls, and injuries by providing reliable light for walking at night.
• Prevents burns and fires: Eliminates risks from open flames, candles, and kerosene lamps, which often cause household fires.
• Better school performance: Enables children to study after sunset, improving learning conditions and school success.
• Saves family income: Removes the need to buy expensive candles or kerosene, allowing families to allocate funds for food or medicine.
• Protects respiratory health: Kerosene lamps produce toxic fumes; solar lamps eliminate indoor air pollution and related lung diseases.
• Safer access to water: Families who walk for hours at night to fetch water can now see the paths, avoiding falls and dangerous terrain.
• Empowers women: Light allows safer cooking, childcare, and household management, reducing risks of burns or injuries.
• Prevents animal bites: Reduces the risk of snake bites, stray dog attacks, and mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.
• Energy independence: Solar-powered lamps provide a long-term solution, removing reliance on costly and polluting fuel sources.
• Restores dignity: Living in total darkness is stressful; light brings normalcy, security, and a better quality of life.
• Supports economic activities: Light allows families to work after dark, improving income from small businesses or crafts.
• Reduces violence risks: Improved visibility at night lowers the risk of domestic violence, theft, and community conflicts.
• Strengthens schools: Solar-powered classrooms allow teachers to conduct lessons, and students can study in a safe environment.
• Improves emergency care: Light allows families and health workers to provide first aid or respond to medical emergencies at night.
• Environmentally friendly: Solar lamps replace kerosene, reducing pollution, deforestation, and carbon emissions.

Interactive Map: Schools Without Electricity in East Sumba

This interactive Google map highlights the schools of East Sumba, the ultra-rural region where Fair Future operates. Each yellow or gray dot represents a school, giving a clear picture of the electricity crisis affecting thousands of children.

• Yellow dots mark schools where we have distributed SolarBuddy lamps, ensuring that students now have access to light for studying, walking safely, and completing daily tasks.
• Gray dots represent schools still without electricity, meaning these children live in complete darkness, with no source of light at home or in their village.

With over 100 schools and 10,000 to 15,000 children affected, this map illustrates the urgent need for electricity in these communities. Lack of light impacts education, safety, and daily survival—children must navigate dangerous paths, fetch water in the dark, and cook in unsafe conditions.

This map is a call to action—every lamp distributed is a step toward a brighter future for these children.

What Makes Accessing Ultra-Rural Villages in East Sumba So Challenging?

Reaching the remote villages of East Sumba poses a significant challenge. The absence of roads, asphalt, and infrastructure makes travel difficult. The landscape is steep and rugged, often rendering it nearly impassable and transforming short distances into long, tiring treks. In certain areas, covering just two kilometers can take several hours due to these harsh conditions.

For each mission, we must bring along all necessary supplies. These villages lack water, electricity, and essential resources—essentially everything. Even for a brief stay of one or two days, we must transport our food, cooking essentials, and drinking water. Every medical instrument and SolarBuddy lamp needs to be manually carried in large quantities alongside packages of food that collectively weigh several tons.

To reach these villages, we must traverse dangerous and unmaintained paths, where vehicles risk getting stuck, breaking down, or overturning. Each journey involves calculated risks because these communities would remain isolated from essential resources without our efforts.

In the face of danger, we continue our efforts—for these journeys deliver more than just essential supplies. They bring light, medical aid, nourishment, and clean water to those without other means of access. Each kilometer traveled signifies a village reached, a child safeguarded, and hope restored for families.

Waste Kills – Stop Polluting, Start Acting

This poster delivers a powerful message on the catastrophic impact of waste mismanagement and plastic pollution on both human health and the environment. Burning trash poisons the air, dumping waste in rivers contaminates drinking water, and plastic pollution kills wildlife and enters our food chain.

The consequences are real:

• Toxic air that causes respiratory diseases.
• Polluted water that spreads illness.
• Plastic-filled oceans and land that harm animals and food sources.
• Irreversible damage to nature and future generations.

We must act now. Sort your waste, recycle, stop burning plastic, and never throw garbage into rivers or fields. Every small action protects lives and prevents further destruction.

This poster is a wake-up call—change starts with you.

Healthy Daily Habits: The Foundation of Well-Being

This poster highlights four essential daily habits that promote long-term health and resilience, especially in ultra-rural communities with little or no access to medical care. In these regions, prevention is often the only protection against disease and poor health.

By adopting these simple yet powerful habits, families can significantly improve their well-being, reduce the risk of illness, and build stronger communities:

• Stay active – Engaging in daily movement such as walking, playing, and working outdoors keeps the body strong and reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Physical activity also supports mental health and overall well-being.
• Eat nutritious foods – Local, healthy meals rich in vegetables, fruits, proteins, and whole grains provide energy, strengthen the immune system, and prevent malnutrition. A well-balanced diet ensures children grow stronger and adults stay fit and productive.
• Maintain proper hygiene – Washing hands with soap and clean water removes harmful bacteria and viruses, preventing common illnesses like diarrhea, respiratory infections, and skin diseases. Personal and household hygiene reduces disease transmission and improves overall health.
• Rest and recover – Sleep and relaxation allow the body to heal, regenerate, and build resilience. A well-rested body is less prone to illness and stress, enabling people to stay strong and productive throughout their daily activities.

Where healthcare is scarce, small daily choices make a big difference. By practicing these habits, families take control of their health, reduce medical risks, and ensure a better future for themselves and their children.

Well-being starts at home, and a healthy life begins with everyday actions.

Fair Future’s Anti-Smoking Campaign: The Deadly Impact of Secondhand Smoke

Fair Future Foundation has launched a strong anti-smoking campaign to expose the devastating effects of secondhand smoke. Every year, more than 1.2 million people die from exposure to toxic cigarette smoke, including children, pregnant women, and entire families who have no choice but to inhale polluted air.

Secondhand smoke is more than a nuisance—it is a silent killer. It contains over 7,000 harmful chemicals, many of which are known to cause lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and severe respiratory infections. In pregnant women, exposure increases the risk of low birth weight, premature births, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It weakens the immune system, damages vital organs, and worsens pre-existing conditions, making it a major public health crisis.

This campaign seeks to raise awareness, educate communities, and push for urgent action. Protect your loved ones from the dangers of secondhand smoke. No one should be forced to breathe poison. Every breath matters.

The Local Food Pyramid: Eating Well with What’s Available

This poster introduces a custom food pyramid specifically designed for ultra-rural communities in East Indonesia, focusing on locally available ingredients. It provides practical guidance to help families prepare nutritious daily meals using food that is accessible in their environment. A man and a woman serve as guides, demonstrating how simple food choices can significantly improve health and well-being.

Many rural families struggle with malnutrition, anemia, and diet-related diseases due to limited access to diverse foods and lack of nutritional knowledge. By following this practical, culturally relevant approach, families can:

• Prevent malnutrition and anemia, ensuring better health for children and adults.
• Reduce the risk of diet-related diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions.
• Support children’s growth and development, improving focus and energy for learning.
• Keep adults healthier and more energized, allowing them to work and care for their families effectively.

Good nutrition is not about expensive or imported ingredients—it is about understanding how to use local foods to create balanced, nourishing meals. This knowledge empowers families and strengthens entire communities, improving overall health and creating a future where food insecurity and malnutrition no longer hold people back.

Eating well is the foundation of a better, healthier future.

Recognizing Malaria: Early Detection Saves Lives

This poster educates ultra-rural families on how to recognize the early symptoms of malaria, a disease that can rapidly become life-threatening if left untreated. In remote areas with little or no access to medical care, early detection is critical to preventing severe complications and death.

Common symptoms of malaria include:

• Fever and chills – Often cyclical, with episodes of extreme cold followed by high fever.
• Severe headache and muscle pain – Similar to flu symptoms but more intense.
• Fatigue and weakness – A persistent feeling of exhaustion, even with rest.
• Nausea and vomiting – Can lead to dehydration, worsening the illness.
• Excessive sweating – Often follows a fever spike, signaling a malaria cycle.

Many families mistake malaria for the flu or a common cold, delaying treatment and increasing the risk of organ failure, seizures, coma, or death. Awareness is essential—knowing the difference can be the difference between life and death.

As part of Fair Future’s Zero Malaria initiative, this poster helps ensure that families:

• Identify symptoms early
• Seek urgent medical care when malaria is suspected
• Take action to prevent transmission by using mosquito nets, repellents, and eliminating breeding grounds

In the fight against malaria, awareness and rapid intervention save lives. Recognizing symptoms early is the first step to survival.

Good Food vs. Junk Food: What Nourishes, What Harms

This poster highlights the stark contrast between nutritious foods and harmful junk foods, emphasizing their long-term impact on health, especially for children and future generations.

Ultra-processed foods may seem cheap and convenient, but they are often filled with excess sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives. Regular consumption leads to malnutrition, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and developmental issues. Many families in ultra-rural areas rely on these foods because they are widely available and affordable, but affordability does not mean they are healthy.

In contrast, fresh, natural, and balanced meals provide the nutrients needed for growth, energy, and disease prevention. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, protein-rich foods, and healthy fats strengthen the body, boost immunity, and support brain development. Eating well ensures that children grow stronger, healthier, and more resilient against illness.

The message is simple: Prioritize real, wholesome food. Reduce processed, unhealthy choices. What we eat today determines our health tomorrow.

Eat well, live well, and build a healthier future for all.

Malaria Prevention: Simple Actions Save Lives

This poster educates ultra-rural families on practical, life-saving habits that help prevent malaria, a deadly disease that thrives in regions with limited or no access to medical care. Malaria is transmitted through mosquito bites, but simple actions can significantly reduce the risk of infection and save lives.

By following these key preventive measures, families can protect themselves and their communities:

• Sleep under mosquito nets – Using a properly treated bed net every night blocks infected mosquitoes and prevents bites.
• Avoid stagnant water – Mosquitoes breed in standing water found in pools, containers, or discarded items. Draining or covering them reduces mosquito populations.
• Wear protective clothing – Long sleeves, pants, and light-colored clothing prevent mosquitoes from biting exposed skin.
• Use mosquito repellents – Applying safe repellents on the skin or in living spaces keeps mosquitoes away and reduces exposure.
• Clear tall grass and bushes – Mosquitoes hide in vegetation and shaded areas near homes. Regularly clearing these areas reduces their presence.

In remote areas, where malaria treatment is difficult to access, prevention is the first and often the only defense. Early symptoms like fever, chills, and body aches must be recognized quickly to seek medical help if needed.

Malaria is preventable. By adopting these simple habits, families can protect themselves, reduce infections, and save lives. Knowledge is power—malaria prevention starts at home.

Clean Hands, Healthy Lives: Fair Future’s Handwashing Awareness Campaign

This poster highlights the life-saving importance of proper handwashing in preventing disease transmission. It educates ultra-rural families and children on how to wash hands correctly, emphasizing key steps such as scrubbing all areas, rinsing thoroughly, and air drying to eliminate harmful germs and bacteria.

As part of the Water Connections program, this initiative extends beyond education by providing real, lasting solutions. Fair Future installs handwashing stations with clean water and soap in remote communities, ensuring that proper hygiene becomes a daily habit rather than an unattainable goal.

In areas where access to clean water is limited, poor hygiene leads to high rates of diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections, and skin conditions. Teaching children and families how to wash their hands properly helps prevent these illnesses, protecting the most vulnerable, particularly young children.

Where medical care is scarce, prevention is the first line of defense. Clean hands save lives, and simple hygiene practices can mean the difference between health and disease.

The Impact of One Mosquito Net: A Lifeline for Five People

What can one single mosquito net do? A lot more than you might think.

A long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net (LLIN) often protects more than five people each night from the bites of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, in places where malaria kills more people than any other disease.

Now imagine the effect of just one net over its entire lifespan:

• One net × 5 people × 365 nights = 1,825 nights of protection each year
• Over five years = 9,125 nights of protection from malaria

That’s 9,125 times a child doesn’t get bitten while sleeping, a mother doesn’t wake up with a fever, a family doesn’t face the risk of death from a preventable disease.

And it costs only IDR 206,000 (about 13 USD, 12 CHF, or 20 AUD). That’s the price of a simple meal—for five years of safety.

In the villages where Fair Future works, thousands of families sleep without any protection at all. That’s why we distribute these nets—because they are affordable, effective, and save lives instantly.

One mosquito net. Five lives. Five years. Over 9,000 protected nights. That’s not magic—it’s action.

What is the Malaria Spread Studies Program?

In April 2025, the Fair Future Foundation launched the Malaria Spread Studies program in East Sumba, with a focus on the ultra-rural village of Umalulu. This region has long struggled with malaria, with nearly 55% of the population recently testing positive. Despite years of endemic presence, little has been done to understand why malaria continues to thrive here.

The Malaria Spread Studies aim to diagnose the real situation before proposing any solutions, just as a doctor would never prescribe medicine without first understanding the illness. For the first time, we are conducting a comprehensive field investigation to map out the factors that fuel malaria transmission.

To carry out this program, we developed a specialised digital tool: the Kawan Against Malaria App ("Good Friends Against Malaria"). This application enables local teams to survey every household in Umalulu by asking 65 targeted questions. The study is based on three key pillars:

• The Family: Collecting social and economic data, including how many people live in each home and their health history.
• The House and Environment: Assessing environmental risks such as stagnant water, poor construction, and lack of sanitation.
• Knowledge of Malaria: Understanding what people know about the disease, its symptoms, and how they manage it.

This approach is unique in an area where resources are minimal and where little support exists beyond minimal governmental programs. Thanks to collaboration with local authorities, Kawan Baik Indonesia, Rotary International, and Rotary Against Malaria, this study aims to establish a precise understanding that will inform future prevention and treatment actions.

The Malaria Spread Studies are not just about understanding the disease; they are also about preventing its spread. They aim to spread awareness, give communities a voice, provide concrete data for strategic interventions, and create a model that can be replicated across other malaria-endemic regions.

Alex Wettstein, for Fair Future Foundation

Why We Distribute Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) – And Why They Matter

Mosquito nets save lives. In regions like East Sumba, where malaria is endemic and medical access is nearly nonexistent, sleeping under a mosquito net can mean the difference between life and death. We distribute long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) because they are one of the most effective tools for malaria prevention. Treated with a special insecticide, these nets kill or repel mosquitoes that carry Plasmodium, the parasite responsible for malaria.

Families must use these nets every night, especially:

• During the rainy season, when mosquito populations explode.
• In homes without walls or with open windows, which are common in rural villages.
• In houses with children, pregnant women, or the elderly, who are the most vulnerable to severe malaria.

Without a net, a single mosquito bite at night can lead to a deadly infection. With a net, a family of five can sleep safely, protected for up to five years.

In one village, for example, a child died after repeated fevers that went untreated because the family had no net, no transport, and no clinic nearby. In another, thanks to the nets we distributed, malaria cases dropped by half in just three months.

We need hundreds, even thousands of LLINs, because entire communities are unprotected, and each net we give can protect a whole family—every night, for years.

This is why Fair Future continues to invest in mosquito nets. It’s a simple, affordable, and powerful way to prevent suffering and save lives in the most forgotten corners of the world.

15 Key Reasons Why Studying Malaria Is Essential Before Taking Corrective Actions

• Accurate Diagnosis First: Understanding how, where, and why malaria spreads allows for accurate diagnosis before any intervention is designed.
• Avoid Wasting Resources: Without a clear understanding, resources can be wasted on ineffective or misdirected actions.
• Targeted Prevention: A thorough study reveals high-risk areas and populations, allowing prevention efforts to be precisely targeted.
• Understanding Local Factors: Environmental, cultural, and social factors that contribute to malaria transmission vary significantly by region and must be studied in each area.
• Identifying Root Causes: Proper research identifies underlying causes like stagnant water sources, poor housing, or lack of mosquito nets.
• Community-Specific Solutions: A one-size-fits-all approach does not work. Local studies ensure that solutions are adapted to real needs.
• Enhancing Health Education: Understanding what communities know — or do not know — about malaria guides educational initiatives.
• Building Trust with Communities: Field studies involving local people foster a sense of ownership and trust, which are essential for the success of health programs.
• Early Detection of Emerging Trends: Ongoing studies can detect changes in transmission patterns early, allowing timely adaptation of strategies.
• Validating the Right Tools: Before distributing materials like mosquito nets or launching spraying campaigns, it’s critical to know they match the community's real risks.
• Reducing Drug Resistance: Proper diagnosis helps prevent overuse or misuse of anti-malarial drugs, a major cause of drug resistance.
• Setting a Baseline for Impact Measurement: You cannot measure progress or success without knowing the initial situation through reliable data.
• Influencing Policy and Funding: Concrete field data strengthens advocacy efforts for more national or international support and funding.
• Scaling Solutions Beyond One Village: A representative sample, like Umalulu's 400 homes, helps design strategies that can be adapted for entire regions or countries.
• Saving Lives More Effectively: In the end, studying first ensures that every action taken — every dollar spent — genuinely reduces infections and saves lives.

Tuberculosis in East Sumba: An Urgent and Stealthy Crisis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, capable of spreading through the air when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes. While it primarily targets the lungs, it can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, bones, and kidneys. If left untreated, TB can be life-threatening.

In East Sumba, tuberculosis rates are disturbingly high, particularly in extremely rural regions where individuals reside in overcrowded homes, experience chronic malnutrition, and lack access to medical professionals or diagnostic tools. These factors create an ideal environment for spreading the disease swiftly and quietly.

Tuberculosis is a curable disease, but it demands adherence to a stringent course of antibiotics lasting 6 to 9 months. If the treatment is halted prematurely, there’s a risk of resistance developing and relapse occurring, complicating future treatment efforts. Without timely diagnosis and adequate care, tuberculosis persists as an often unnoticed yet deadly infection that continues spreading among people.

Fair Future is dedicated to raising awareness, facilitating diagnosis, and connecting patients with care. In these overlooked regions, tuberculosis continues to be one of the most lethal threats to life.

Major Consequences of Locust and Pest Invasions

• Total crop destruction – Swarms devour entire fields, leaving families without food and pushing entire communities into starvation.
• Severe malnutrition – With no harvests, people, especially children, suffer from protein and vitamin deficiencies, leading to long-term health issues.
• Psychological trauma – Farmers who lose everything experience deep distress, depression, and, in some cases, suicide due to financial ruin.
• Economic collapse – Entire regions dependent on agriculture face financial ruin, with no income to buy food, medicine, or essentials.
• Mass displacement – When food supplies run out, families are forced to migrate, abandoning their homes and traditional livelihoods.
• Drinking water contamination – Pesticides used against locusts seep into water sources, causing poisoning and long-term health risks.
• Livestock starvation – Animals have no food when pastures are destroyed, leading to mass die-offs and further economic devastation.
• Food price inflation – With agricultural production wiped out, food becomes scarce and expensive, making survival even harder for the poorest.
• Ecosystem destruction – Pest swarms strip landscapes bare, disrupting biodiversity and making land uninhabitable for both humans and wildlife.
• Social unrest and violence – Food shortages and economic desperation lead to rising tensions, conflicts, and increased crime rates.
• Desertification and soil erosion – With no vegetation left, the land becomes barren, making future farming nearly impossible.
• Breakdown of traditional farming practices – Farmers are unable to pass down knowledge when entire growing cycles are destroyed year after year.
• Increase in communicable diseases – Malnutrition weakens immune systems, making people more vulnerable to infections and disease outbreaks.
• Mental exhaustion and hopelessness – After repeated invasions, people lose the will to rebuild, leading to a cycle of poverty and despair.
• Dependence on harmful chemical solutions – Overuse of pesticides damages the environment and human health but remains the only defense.
• Collapse of local markets – When no food is produced, small businesses suffer, and local economies grind to a halt.
• Government inaction and corruption – Delayed responses and mismanagement of resources leave communities without the aid they desperately need.