The #WaterConnections project in Laindatang Village presents a formidable technical hurdle and showcases human ingenuity in the face of environmental challenges.
Fair Future has been working since mid-February 2024 to drill in one of the driest places on Earth, where water is a priceless commodity and over 600 people are struggling to survive.
This ambitious campaign is arguably our most challenging attempt at deep drilling operations. ; Our teams here are tackling overwhelming logistical obstacles with aplomb.
The drilling process goes beyond technical achievement and catalyzes transformative change by providing the Laindatang community with crucial access to clean water, which we are fighting for. This resource is essential to improving residents’ health, nutrition, and hygiene—critical elements determining their survival and overall well-being.
We are in the middle of our second testing round, which will last another week. Unfortunately, during this phase so far, our expectations have not been met due to insufficient water flow to meet the needs of a deprived and isolated village community. To overcome this, alternative measures such as continuing to drill our last 50-meter deep well are being considered.
We will now start drilling again, but slowly, little by little. No more than three meters further into the ground while conducting direct assessments; we are committed until we find a suitable water supply source for these families who are now part of ours.
We express our sincere gratitude to all of you as we stand at a critical juncture, brimming with positivity and resilience. As a close-knit community battling many obstacles, we remain firmly convinced that success is inevitable – just as it has been before.
Whatever challenges lie ahead, rest assured that more means are available to ensure better access to water for over 600 people residing in Laindatang and Hambarita, including children who make up a significant portion of this population.
United in our resilience and innovation, we face adversity with determination, demonstrating that obstacles can be overcome when we work together for a better future. Your generosity provides water and inspires vital change, paving the way for sustainable health and wealth for generations to come.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 9th of August 2024
After Months of Drilling in Laindatang, Fair Future Tests New Water Wells
For over five months, Fair Future Foundation has been drilling wells in Laindatang, one of the world’s most arid regions.
Since August 9, 2024, we have been testing the wells we’ve drilled, a crucial step toward ensuring access to water for local communities.
Yesterday, we captured a series of original photos on the site of the Water Connections project, where we have been working for over five months on phase 3 in Laindatang. Since February 15, 2024, we have been here daily, drilling with our machine to find water in one of the world’s driest regions. It’s an exhausting task, both physically and mentally, in conditions where every drop of water is precious.
Today, August 9, we are in the testing phase. Fair Future acquired a 1.5 HP pump this week to test the three wells we have drilled since February. The work is far from easy. The roads here are impassable for cars and trucks as the Truck of Life. However, we managed to bring our trucks to the site, including our water tanker truck, because, paradoxically, much water is needed for drilling. This was made possible by the construction, by hand, of a nearly eight-kilometre path and by the fortunate timing of the dry season, which allows us to pass through the fields.
We are currently testing the wells. Evaluating the results and deciding on the next steps will take another week. The initial tests show we must continue drilling, as the water flow remains insufficient. The struggle continues so that the families of Laindatang and Hambarita can have more water and hope for a better life. We are not giving up and remain determined to continue this fight.
Please have a look at the Laindatang Water Connections Map here.
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 9th of August 2024
