Building Futures…
Dozens of ultra-rural villages visited each month
Illness often begins long before someone arrives at the hospital. Our campaigns on smoking, waste management, alcohol, and sexual health display straightforward messages across schools and village walls in local languages. Through simple posters, talks, and games, we help protect thousands of children.
Improving sanitation with simple, safe toilet facilities to protect health and dignity in remote communities.
Witness the remarkable efforts of Fair Future and Kawan Baik Foundation in Laindatang as they bravely tackle extreme conditions to construct reliable water connections and sanitation facilities. Be inspired by the indomitable spirit of the community as they unite to create a better future in the face of adversity.
#WaterConnections here in Laindatang was established for various reasons. Firstly, to improve the living conditions of the residents, promote better health, and combat issues of malnutrition and infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, cholera, hepatitis, polio, and others.
But to combat malnutrition and unhealthy eating habits, it is essential to provide adequate knowledge. The residents here have no concept of what it means to eat healthily. As part of this program, for several months, Fair Future and Kawan Baik cook on-site, not only for our team of workers but also for the village workers, about 30 to 50 people each day. We categorically refuse to prepare unhealthy meals.
Instead, we educate them on new tastes, showing them what fresh vegetables like carrots, potatoes, cabbage, green vegetables, and corn look like, cooked in different ways. It is crucial for children's growth to have a healthy diet. Many of them travel kilometres to get to school, arriving tired, exhausted, and unable to concentrate.
Most of the time, they haven't eaten before leaving home. Additionally, they lack access to water. For us, nutrition is therefore one of the key pillars of this program, along with the prevention of infectious diseases.
Throughout the duration of the project, we focus on nutrition, in addition to preventing infectious diseases. We spend much time cooking for the villagers and teaching them the basics of a healthy diet. The #WaterConnections program is there for them, to offer them a better future and better health, as we believe that it is through clean water that we can accomplish almost anything.
Growing vegetables, generating income through their sale, this is what awaits us in the coming weeks as we cook for the school children every day, helping them adopt better eating habits. This is crucial for them because they represent the future generation, those who will outlive us.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – The 3rd of March 2024
A crucial meeting took place in Waingapu, where a project called #WaterConnections Laindatang was launched. The project aims to provide clean water and sanitation in East Sumba, and it is a collaborative effort between communities, the state, and NGOs such as Fair Future and Kawan Baik. This project symbolizes a commitment to sustainable development and a healthier future. The project marks the 15th anniversary of Fair Future, highlighting the power of teamwork and shared objectives.
Our new "Picture of the Day" shows you Kawan Ino passionately describes how the upcoming #WaterConnections project's Phase 2 and 3 will profoundly transform the ultra-rural village of Laindatang. With this project, the village will soon have access to clean water, enabling its residents to lead healthier and more productive lives.
On January 17th, a remarkable event unfolded within the confines of one of Laindatang's six classrooms. Nearly 250 people gathered, including 76 eager students, their parents, and a multitude of village community members. The school's leadership, the school committee, and devoted teachers were also present. It was a day meticulously planned by Ino, Alex, Susan et Ayu to elucidate the intricacies of the #WaterConnections 2024 program within this village and school.
Our arsenal included a massive 20,000-watt PowerBank to power projector and display films, illustrations, and comprehensive plans for Phases 2 and 3 of the project. A rollercoaster of emotions transpired – tears, laughter, smiles, and sheer joy radiated through the room.
As captured in the photo, Kawan Ino le responsible des activités à Sumba Est meticulously explained the blueprint for Phases 2 and 3. This grand endeavour entails the construction of vast reservoirs, PVC pipelines crisscrossing the village, and the installation of solar panels to electrify the pumps and the school itself.
Laindatang, like many other communities in this region, grapples with extreme poverty, high malaria prevalence, infant mortality, and chronic malnutrition. Infectious diseases, particularly those tied to water, plague the residents daily. Our involvement over the past year and a half, primarily during Phase 1, has brought tangible improvements, but Phases 2 and 3 will herald an even more significant impact.
The amazing ability of water to transform health, personal growth, and well-being and promote peace is truly remarkable. We are working together to bring this essential resource to Laindatang, which will change many lives and leave a lasting impact on future generations. This project is more than just an initiative; it is a lifeline, a symbol of actions, and a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Please visit the website of the Fair Future Foundation to witness the impact of your support and contribute to this essential cause. Our collective efforts can bring the gift of life-giving water to the children of Laindatang and beyond. We appreciate your unswerving commitment to our mission.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu, January 31st, 2024.
In the heart of Eastern Indonesia, the #WaterConnection project has brought about a transformative change in Laindatang. Over 200 individuals gathered to witness its impact, as the project has provided clean water, sanitation, unity, and hope to the remote village. This is not just a journey towards a healthier and sustainable future, but a bold step in the right direction. We invite you to join us in this extraordinary journey towards a brighter future.
Fair Future is on a mission to transform the lives of the rural community in Laindatang, Indonesia, through a groundbreaking project. Led by its dedicated Founder and President, Alex Wettstein, the foundation is tackling the pressing issues of clean water access, malaria, and primary medical care. With over a year of on-site work, the foundation is making remarkable progress in creating a brighter future for the people of Laindatang.
In the arid Tanambanas region, a remarkable transformation is taking place. The #WaterConnections project, led by Fair Future and Kawan Baik, is rewriting the water scarcity narrative. Thanks to innovative rainwater solutions, every drop is transformed into hope, health and happiness. Find out how this revolutionary project is revolutionizing access to clean water for the community, one tap at a time.
In East Sumba, a 60-meter deep drilling project stands as a beacon of transformation. This gargantuan endeavor by Fair Future and Kawan Baik is not just about providing clean water; it’s a comprehensive approach to improve public health, education, and quality of life for over 2,000 people. This is where the battle against diseases like malaria takes a new turn, a testament to human resilience.
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.
This new "Picture of the Day" shows you the truck climbing the steep slope that leads to the village of Laindatang, which is ultra isolated, where a hundred families live without electricity, water, and very little food. This first truck transports construction materials and healthy sanitary facilities, which our teams have manufactured at the Rumah Kambera base camp.
We're excited to announce a significant milestone in our mission to create a positive impact! Despite facing difficult conditions and encountering broken promises, our unwavering dedication to improving the lives of impoverished villagers has prevailed. After days of arduous road repairs, we are proud to share that a truck laden with essential construction materials has finally reached the remote village of Laindatang. This remarkable achievement, made possible through the unwavering support and resilience of the villagers, marks a crucial step in providing vital resources and support to a community lacking necessities.
The road to the village presented numerous challenges, with its treacherous slopes and slippery terrain. Our team, armed with determination and their bare hands, overcame these obstacles with unwavering resolve. Though we encountered setbacks, including a failed attempt and broken bolts, our determination never wavered.
Two months ago, we were promised assistance by the department responsible for road infrastructure, but regrettably, their support never materialized. Nevertheless, we refused to be deterred from our mission of bringing essential resources and support to the impoverished villagers, who live in extreme poverty, deprived of electricity, clean water, and sanitation facilities – Ref: Water Connections Program here.
Yesterday, as the truck conquered the treacherous slopes, an overwhelming sense of joy and accomplishment washed over us. It was a moment that infused hope and happiness into the previously isolated village of Laindatang. I was moved to tears, knowing that I had dedicated nearly a year of my life to bringing this project to fruition.
In this new "Picture of the Day", we witness the difficulties faced by young children in East Sumba as they search for clean water. These children must travel quite a distance from their homes to reach the kullups (small stone basins dug directly into the rocky terrain by villagers to collect and hold rainwater in rural areas). Unfortunately, it is unlikely to rain for the next nine months, and the children must walk over ten kilometres to obtain just a few litres of water to sustain themselves; kullups are dry now.
Presently, families in Laindatang endure arduous journeys, spanning miles and lasting over 10 hours, to obtain meagre quantities of drinking water. With a daily allocation of fewer than 2 litres per person, individuals must make profound sacrifices as this limited supply must accommodate drinking, eating, personal hygiene, and sanitation needs.
Malaria ravages the village, exacerbating the adverse effects of infectious diseases, particularly among children under five. The urgency of the health crisis necessitates immediate intervention. In collaboration with Kawan Baik and local authorities, Fair Future is committed to launching a comprehensive Water Connections project, addressing the pressing need for clean water in the village with utmost urgency.
Commencing at the end of June 2023, Fair Future embarks on an extraordinary #waterconnections project in Laindatang. This initiative heralds a transformative change and instils immense pride within our organization.
Laindatang residents rely on rainwater collection during the rainy season to meet their clean water requirements. However, limited knowledge and resources impede this method, significantly contaminating water reservoirs. During the dry season, their options are limited to accessing water from the Kulub—an artificial pool nestled within a rock formation—or purchasing tank water from a select few companies.
Regrettably, accessing water becomes increasingly challenging throughout the year, with only a handful of companies willing to deliver to the village. Transport obstacles frequently result in spilt water, further diminishing the already scarce supply upon arrival in Laindatang.
For the villagers, access to clean water is a matter of survival. They currently store rainwater in unclean, contaminated, and hazardous tanks. Though this remaining water sustains them for drinking, eating, and survival, it will be depleted within weeks as the dry season commences. Tragically, this water is tainted, infected, and carries life-threatening diseases such as Malaria, Cholera, Dengue, Typhoid fever, Hepatitis A, and Guinea worm disease. Additionally, prevalent diarrheal diseases like E. coli and rotavirus, caused by contaminated water, pose a severe risk, particularly to children, leading to dehydration and even death.
You have the power to help us realize this vital project, which is indispensable for hundreds of families. If you desire, your generous donation dedicated to the #waterconnections project in the village of Laindatang would be warmly welcomed. We extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all those willing to contribute. With your support, we can bring love, hope, and clean water to the deserving community of Laindatang.
To access information about our implementation, you can download and read the presentation in PDF format by clicking this link.
This new "Picture of the Day" shows a delighted father who can now provide daily showers for his children, thanks to the newly installed water supply. Previously, they could only shower sporadically, sometimes only once a month. Additionally, the photo showcases the new sanitation facilities constructed in Mbinudita. The Water Connections project has successfully installed over forty reservoirs, thirty sanitary installations, three deep boreholes, and more than 15000 meters of HDPE pipes.
Water scarcity can be a significant source of stress for some regions, and various factors can cause it. Arid climates, low rainfall and prolonged droughts are just a few conditions that can contribute to water scarcity. Poor water resource management and a lack of knowledge can also exacerbate this problem, making it even more difficult for everyone to access the water they need to thrive.
Despite these challenges, Fair Future is working hard to address water scarcity and ensure people have access to this vital resource. That is why we have developed the Water Program Connections.
Fair Future and Kawan Baik have noticed a significant improvement in the behaviour of families who have benefited from the "Water Connections" initiative. This program has enabled people to grow gardens, consume healthier food, enjoy life more, reduce stress, and boost energy levels. As a result, there has been a marked decrease in illnesses.
Witnessing these positive changes fills us with joy and reinforces our conviction in our decisions. Fair Future and Kawan Baik Foundation have always aimed to improve individual health, and providing access to safe drinking water is a beautiful way to accomplish this objective. As a Medical Foundation, Fair Future Foundation understands clean water's significance for maintaining good health. Drinking enough clean and healthy water is crucial for various physiological processes, including body hydration, proper organ function, digestion, and elimination of toxins.
Access to clean and safe water prevents dehydration-related illnesses, such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and constipation. It also significantly prevents dehydration, particularly in hot areas where sweating and water loss through respiration are common. While water is necessary for maintaining good health, we understand better than anyone else that certain medical conditions may require alternative treatments.
