Light in Action…
AIDS work underway
Children can't learn effectively in darkness or when suffering from chronic infections. By electrifying schools, improving nutrition, and providing treatment for common illnesses, we create safe environments for learning and development. In this way, education acts as a shield against poverty and social exclusion.
Harnessing rainwater as a life-saving resource for families without reliable water sources.
After nine months of drilling efforts in Laindatang, Fair Future has stopped operations due to safety concerns and technical challenges. The focus is now on building a rainwater harvesting system to provide clean water to the village.
After nine months of drilling in Laindatang for the #WaterConnections project, we are halting the work due to technical and geological challenges. The new plan is to build a 100-cubic-meter rainwater reservoir to provide clean water for 300 people. Drilling will resume after the reservoir is completed.
In ultra-rural areas where clean water is scarce, ferrocement tanks are the ideal solution. These...
The Fair Future Foundation’s Water Connections program provides clean water to remote villages through manual construction of water reservoirs, reducing waterborne diseases and improving living conditions for women and children.
Save the date! Join us on June 14, 2024, at Kulidan Space near Denpasar to celebrate Fair Future Foundation’s 15th anniversary. Our clean water awareness event includes the screening of ‘Matawai, the Shades of Water,’ discussions on sustainable water solutions, and artistic performances. Let’s raise awareness and support for clean water access in rural Indonesia. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to make a difference!
In East Sumba, the simple act of washing hands is more than basic hygiene; it’s a lifesaving gesture. Fair Future Foundation’s latest campaign, ‘Let’s Wash Your Hands,’ marks a significant leap in public health for rural communities. Through the Water Connections program, we’ve installed sinks across schools and villages, ensuring every child can fight against diseases like malaria, polio, and tuberculosis through the power of clean water. This initiative is not just about improving health but fostering a sustainable environment where every child can grow up healthy and strong.
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of ultra-rural communities in Southeast Asia? Join us and explore Alex Wettstein’s 15-year journey with the Fair Future Foundation. Together, we can provide hope, clean water, healthcare, and transformation to those in need. Let’s make a real impact.
Our new “Picture of the Day” showcases the exceptional skills of Kawan Neni, our drilling partner and an accomplished dowser who has successfully identified crucial underground water sources essential to our mission..
In the scorching heat of Eastern Indonesia, on the rugged terrain of East Sumba, a relentless endeavor unfolds. The Fair Future Foundation’s #WaterConnection project in Laindatang has been an unyielding beacon of hope for over a year, delivering essential services to a community entrenched in hardship. At the heart of this relentless quest lies an ancient practice – dowsing, also known as “water divining.”
Quest for Lifesaving Springs Beneath: Water, the essence of life, remains an elusive dream in Laindatang, where the struggle for access to clean and dependable water persists. With a sprawling village expanse and a school that welcomes 78 eager young minds daily, the dire need for a sustainable water source has never been more pronounced. The village, like the school, lacks even the most fundamental amenities: no toilets, no clean water, no electricity.
Dowsing, a centuries-old technique, has emerged as an invaluable tool in the arsenal of the Fair Future Foundation and Kawan Baik Foundation. Over the years, this method has repeatedly proven its worth, revealing concealed aquifers that sustain life in this unforgiving region.
A Pioneering Solution for Laindatang: The #WaterConnection project, initiated in 2024, coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Swiss-based Fair Future Foundation. Its success hinges in part on the discovery of reliable underground water, a mission entrusted to dowsing. As we stand on Phases 2 and 3 thresholds, our objectives are unequivocal: secure deep wells, possibly two, to ensure a constant and clean water supply for over a hundred families and the local school. Our optimism soars as we’ve identified three potential drilling locations, all but guaranteeing the presence of water.
This pivotal project phase signifies a significant turning point. The construction of additional reservoirs will cement access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and a brighter future for the entire village. The school, where children thirst for knowledge but have been denied the most rudimentary resources, will finally be equipped with the essential infrastructure they deserve.
Progress, One Precious Drop at a Time: The Fair Future Foundation’s unwavering commitment to improving lives remains unshaken. The #WaterConnections project in Laindatang stands as a testament to this commitment. Guided by dowsing, we are on the brink of effecting transformation, uplifting not just the village, but also the aspirations of 78 young children aged 6 to 12, who yearn for a brighter future, not just for themselves but for their entire families.
As we dig deeper into the earth’s belly, searching for concealed water sources through the ancient art of dowsing, we embark on a journey toward enduring change. This voyage serves as a stark reminder that every drop counts and that access to clean water isn’t merely a fundamental human right but also a catalyst for progress.
Today, we must move quickly to Phases #2 and #3 of this #WaterConnections project for the residents of this extremely rural village and all the children who live there. We cannot achieve this without your help. So, how about we all roll up our sleeves and tackle this challenge together
Stay tuned as we continue our mission to unearth the treasures hidden beneath the surface and usher in a new wave of transformation in Laindatang.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu, January 15th, 2024.
The arrival of Dragon pumps in Laindatang, East Sumba, marks a watershed moment in Fair Future’s #WaterConnections project. In collaboration with Kawan Baik and Rotary Australia, we are transforming the health landscape of this isolated village. From reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases to providing the first-ever sanitary installations, discover how clean water is rewriting the community’s story.
Fair Future’s #WaterConnections project is a beacon of hope in Tanambanas, Sumba, where every drop of water is a treasure. By collecting and filtering rainwater, we’re creating not just reservoirs but sanctuaries of health. Dive into this inspiring story of how innovation and collective effort are changing lives, one drop at a time.
The image illustrates our ongoing project: the excavation of a septic tank. This is the very first step towards the installation of the first-ever sanitation infrastructure in the village's history. Our goal is to reinforce the health and well-being of the families in this community. In closely associating ourselves with the villagers, a core principle in our approach, we work hand in hand to provide them vital access to water and sanitation facilities, despite their isolation in the eastern part of Sumba.
For several months now, our organizations – Fair Future and Kawan Baik – have favored constructing lightweight steel facilities. This decision is based on hygiene, maintenance, and construction efficiency grounds. The entire structure (in this case, two toilet – shower stalls) is constructed at the Fair Future Foundation’s base camp in Waingapu, called Rumah Kambera. We then transport the dismantled structure to the site of installation. It takes about a week for our team to operationalize an installation like this, followed by one to two weeks dedicated to finishing and aesthetic touch-ups.
In this underprivileged environment, families lack access to basic services, needs such as access to water or electricity are non-existent. During the dry season, when rainwater tanks are almost empty, they must travel miles to collect just a few litres of often unsuitable water. See the related #waterconnections posts here.
In the village of Laindatang, inhabitants have never had the privilege of a working shower or toilet. The enthusiasm and joy are palpable as they witness the construction of these new facilities, bringing them a simple feeling of happiness.
This installation will also contribute to reducing infectious diseases caused by the absence of adequate sanitation facilities in the village. This will likely lead to an increase in the quality of life for the villagers, a reduction in the time spent gathering water, and promote overall community health and well-being. This initiative is more than just building sanitation facilities. It symbolizes the start of a new chapter for Laindatang, signifying change and development towards a healthier community.
Thus, the work of Fair Future and Kawan Baik extends beyond physical construction, promoting progress, health, and hope for the future.
Beyond Borders: Fighting Malaria Together in Eastern Indonesia. This new "Picture of the Day" shows three kids between 8 and 12 years old. Children are among the most vulnerable malaria victims in Indonesia, especially in the east of the country and of course here, where we work with Fair Future, Kawan Baik foundations and all our partners and friends.
The health and well-being of children in eastern Indonesia are threatened by malaria, which hinders their growth, development, and quality of life. Our organizations have a deep understanding of the urgency to address this issue, and we are working hard on our disease control program, which is of utmost importance. We have a strong track record of working in these regions where the epidemic affects about 80% of children. Collaborative efforts are underway to combat malaria and prioritize the welfare of children in these areas.
Young children are at a higher risk of contracting malaria due to their underdeveloped immune systems. Living in rural and poor areas with limited access to preventive measures only exacerbates the severity of symptoms if infected. A contributing factor is that young children typically haven't been exposed to the malaria parasite enough times to build up immunity* against it.
It can be challenging for young children in our regions to communicate or identify the symptoms of malaria, and their parents may not be familiar with them either. As a result, affected children may display non-specific symptoms like fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, irritability, and vomiting, which could easily be mistaken for other common childhood illnesses like drinking contaminated water. Consequently, this can cause delays in diagnosing and treating malaria accurately
*Some additional explanation: People living in malaria-endemic areas gradually develop acquired immunity, which reduces their susceptibility to severe infections in the future.
