Building a healthier future starts with the installation of the first handwashing facility in a school in East Sumba. This is a significant advance in public health and child well-being, as it is an important part of hygiene education and the prevention of infectious diseases such as malaria, cholera , hepatitis A, dysentery, poliomyelitis or typhoid fever…

The new “Picture of the Day” features the new healthy handwashing facility at Laindatang School. This is the first time such a facility has been built and put into service in a public school. It is part of a unique program aimed at effectively combating infectious diseases in a region greatly affected by health issues, especially those impacting children.

In the Laindatang region, where challenges such as lack of water, electricity, and sanitation are combined with the fight against high rates of infectious diseases like malaria, the Fair Foundation's #WaterConnections project represents a significant step forward towards improving the living and health conditions of the most vulnerable communities. By inaugurating the first handwashing facility in a local school, we have taken a crucial step in our commitment to ensuring access to essential sanitation services for children, for whom regular hygiene practice has been a rarity until now.

This sanitary facility comprises eight sinks, six visible in the shared image, and two are located in new healthy sanitary facilities built by our team. It marks a turning point in Laindatang's children's daily lives. Previously, the opportunity to wash their hands was a luxury, with families having to walk long distances to the nearest river for water. This journey could only be done every two weeks or, in some cases, once a month. In the dry season, these challenges become even more overwhelming, further limiting access to water for basic needs.

The project is not limited to providing convenient access to water for handwashing; it is also a head-on fight against infectious diseases that have long afflicted the community, particularly malaria. By introducing these handwashing facilities, the Fair Future Foundation aims to introduce vital hygiene practices that can significantly reduce the spread of infections. This effort is even more critical in a region where children and families face the threat of life-threatening illnesses every day.

Beyond improving hygiene, this project highlights our commitment to sustainable development and community involvement. By working hand-in-hand with residents and tailoring our solutions to Laindatang's specific challenges, we ensure that the benefits of these facilities will endure over time and continue to serve future generations.

Through the #WaterConnections project and similar initiatives, the Fair Future Foundation reaffirms its dedication to building a future where access to clean water, sanitation, and healthy living conditions is no longer a barrier to the health and well-being of the poorest communities in Southeast Asia. Our actions on the ground, guided by an in-depth knowledge of local needs and a desire to create a lasting impact, allow us to bring these communities closer to a healthier and safer future every day. Together, we are creating a future where every child has the fundamental right to clean water and good health.

Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 27th of March 2024