Ruth, a Kawan Sehat health agent from Lukukamaru, beams while standing next to a young boy she treated for a serious illness. Her empathetic approach and medical guidance offer hope to families in East Sumba, where the Primary Medical Care program makes transformative impacts with each smile and every life-saving intervention.

How Ruth’s Smiles and the Primary Medical Care Program Inspire Hope and Improve Health for Children in East Sumba’s Remote Communities.

This new “Picture of the Day” features Ruth, one of our Kawan Sehat agents who lives in the remote village of Lukukamaru, East Sumba. In this photo, she stands with a young boy who appears to be between two and three years old. He and his parents have come to seek medical attention because he has been suffering from severe diarrhea and vomiting for several days, a common but dangerous problem in areas like theirs where access to clean water is limited, and health resources are scarce. This child is just one of 500 patients treated each month through our expanding Primary Medical Care program, a growing number that is straining our foundation’s supply chain and logistical capabilities.

“Every child should have the opportunity to heal, experience a smile born from good health, and see their parents regain hope. Ruth is turning this vision into reality.”— Alex Wettstein, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Fair Future.

Ruth meticulously organized the necessary medications, placing them in a small plastic pouch to protect them from moisture and dirt—vital measures in a weather-sensitive environment. However, her role was not limited to administering medications; She also gave the boy’s parents vital advice. Ruth stressed the importance of boiling rainwater before drinking it, a simple but effective method to prevent illnesses such as diarrhea and vomiting. In communities that rely solely on rainwater tanks, this practice is often the main defence against waterborne diseases. She also emphasized the importance of keeping her child hydrated and reassured them with practical care tips that could be easily incorporated into their daily routines.

These seemingly small efforts—educating parents on protecting their children’s health, providing them with access to clean water, and providing essential medical care—create meaningful change. These actions make a profound difference by saving lives in areas without readily available healthcare. Ruth’s smile captured in this photo reflects her unwavering dedication and the joy she feels in supporting her community despite difficult circumstances. 

Thank you very much for your interest and help. (See a gallery of images of the work of Kawan Sehat agents here.)

Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 19th of November 2024.

• World Health Organization: Like Fair Future, WHO works globally to combat diseases and improve health standards, providing guidance on sanitation, clean water, and medical care.
• UNICEF: Dedicated to children’s well-being, UNICEF ensures clean water, nutrition, and health care for the most vulnerable in rural and impoverished communities worldwide.
• Doctors Without Borders: MSF provides emergency medical aid in crisis zones, similar to Fair Future’s mission of reaching isolated populations lacking healthcare infrastructure.
• Save the Children: This organization focuses on children’s health and safety, fighting to prevent diseases through health education and access to clean water and sanitation.
• WaterAid: WaterAid strives to provide safe drinking water and hygiene practices to ultra-rural areas, working to prevent waterborne diseases, just like Fair Future.