Empowering Ultra-Rural Communities: Transformative Clean Water Initiatives in East Sumba, Indonesia.
Building water reservoirs for health, sustainability and equality through ferrocement innovation here in Laindatang and everywhere else.
Constructing clean water reservoirs in the ultra-rural villages of East Sumba goes far beyond being a mere technical accomplishment. It represents a vital stride towards enhancing the living standards of these underserved communities.
For 15 years, Fair Future has been committed to embarking on this journey towards empowerment and sustainable growth through a close alliance with Kawan Baik and the region’s indigenous inhabitants here in Laindatang.
Like here in the village of Laindatang, where we are right now, our progress remains noteworthy in these remote regions, where electrical power and advanced equipment are lacking. This circumstance reinforces the collaboration between our teams and local communities. Our approach centres on exchanging knowledge and mutual learning, enabling us to develop creative solutions tailored to each unique situation.
The significance of the ferrocement technology-built water reservoirs cannot be overstated. With a capacity to hold up to 10,000 litres of water, they provide consistent access to clean water for the poor villagers and all residents and play an essential role in curbing prevalent infectious diseases in the area.
Watch this video on YouTube here.
Waterborne illnesses such as diarrhoea, malaria, dengue fever, and poliomyelitis are prevalent in communities with limited access to clean water. Therefore, constructing sanitized reservoirs is imperative for curbing these afflictions and infant mortality rates, enhancing residents’ overall living standards.
Clean water is our mightiest weapon in the battle against these scourges. It serves as a barricade to halt disease transmission and a medium of well-being for all community members. The reservoirs we construct are not mere concrete edifices but fortified bastions safeguarding at-risk populations from harm’s way.
Moreover, providing clean water remarkably revolutionizes the routine existence of rural inhabitants. The availability of unpolluted water reduces sicknesses, enhances their diets, and upgrades sanitation practices. The freed-up time for collecting water enables women and young girls to engage in more constructive pursuits like employment or schooling from home, setting up a trajectory towards self-sustainability.
FerroCement Water Tanks that provide clean water are more than just infrastructure—they drive social progress and economic growth. These Water Tanks significantly impact society’s overall well-being by improving health conditions, supporting education efforts, and unlocking the potential of rural communities.
The Water Connections initiative epitomizes the vision. By empowering villagers to participate in building and overseeing reservoirs, we foster self-reliant communities with the capacity to confront forthcoming obstacles.
Building a clean water reservoir represents progress in the fight against persistent inequalities and injustices in remote regions. It brings us one step closer to a future where every person has access to clean water and can live with dignity, regardless of their place of origin.
We are urging solidarity and community involvement through our actions. Let us work together towards a future where everyone has access to clean water, health is an essential right, and each person’s voice contributes equally to creating a just and fairer world.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 22nd of March 2024
The construction of drinking water reservoirs is crucial for improving living conditions.
Empowering Ultra-Rural Communities: Transformative Clean Water Initiatives in East Sumba, Indonesia.
Constructing Reservoirs for Health, Sustainability, and Equality through Ferrocement Innovation.
The construction of clean water reservoirs in the highly rural villages of East Sumba, like here in the Laindatang project, is a crucial step towards improving the living conditions of these communities. This project, carried out in close collaboration with Kawan Baik and residents, embodies Fair Future’s commitment to empowerment and sustainable development.
The absence of electricity and sophisticated tools in these regions has not slowed progress; on the contrary, it has strengthened the synergy between our teams and our communities, where knowledge sharing and mutual learning pave the way for innovative and adapted solutions.
These tanks, made using the ferro-cement technique, can store up to 10,000 litres of water. This initiative goes beyond the simple provision of water; it directly responds to public health problems exacerbated by lack of access to drinking water. Waterborne diseases, such as diarrhoea, malaria, dengue, and polio, pose a constant threat to these populations. Therefore, the sufficient availability of clean water reservoirs constitutes an essential step towards reducing these diseases and infant mortality and improving quality of life.
The Water Connections program is a shining example of what we can achieve together. By integrating villagers into the building and learning process, we build infrastructure and resilient, educated communities ready to take charge of their future.
These moments shared in the field, often accompanied by music and particular attention to healthy eating, strengthen bonds, cultivate hope and demonstrate that change is possible, even in the most challenging conditions. Our action is a call for unity, solidarity, and community commitment. Every reservoir built is a victory against inequalities in access to fundamental resources like water. Together, we can continue to create, learn and move towards a future where every person in every village will have the means to live with dignity and good health.
We cordially invite all captivated by this story to explore our photo gallery, witness this extraordinary effort, and further engage with our mission through our Instagram account.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 22nd of March 2024
