Wai Pa Luri Wangu Water Tank for daily use in Hambarita
A small blue reservoir collects rooftop rainwater, providing safer water.
Drone view of the Hambarita house and the blue Wai Pa Luri Wangu rainwater tank standing alone on the dry plateau of East Sumba.
Wai Pa Luri Wangu, Hambarita
This small blue tank signifies a revolution in Hambarita. With a capacity of 5,300 litres, it is one of eight new rainwater reservoirs built collaboratively with the community. The tank efficiently captures rainwater from a tin roof, filters it, and stores it right beside homes. For the three families and sixteen individuals living here, this is not just infrastructure — it is life-saving innovation and preventive healthcare.
Before this initiative, families faced daunting journeys walking with jerrycans over rough terrain or relied on collecting water from shallow, contaminated pits frequented by animals. This led to children missing school, adults losing valuable work hours, and frequent illnesses, including diarrhoea and skin infections. Our photographs depict the harsh realities of the past — dust-laden paths, sunburned faces, and motorbikes overloaded with plastic containers.
In collaboration with the local community, Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia meticulously constructed the Wai Pa Luri Wangu tank. Steel and rebar were expertly shaped and secured to form the tank’s robust skeleton. Layer by layer, cement and sand moulded a resilient outer shell capable of withstanding environmental stresses. The tank’s smooth interior plaster surface minimises algae and germ growth. Additionally, a first flush system ensures impurities are washed away, and strategic overflow drainage keeps paths safe from mud.
Water is now easily accessible, enabling mothers to wash their hands before meals, clean wounds promptly, and provide their children with safe drinking water. Elders are liberated from arduous treks with heavy water loads. Here in East Sumba, we call this medical care at its most effective — preventing illness long before hospital beds are required.
- We invite you to read the final report of this project here by downloading this PDF document.
- Would you also like to participate in the construction of one of these reservoirs?
- Explore the interactive project map for Laindatang and Hambarita to see the exact location of each reservoir and related works.
- Visit the complete online gallery of over sixty images related to these eight reservoirs.
- See the full gallery of nine information panels that detail the story, capacity, and impact of each reservoir.
Today, the 17th of November 2025 – Alex Wettstein
In Short · When a house becomes a small clinic
With the Wai Pa Luri Wangu tank, every visit from a Kawan Sehat health agent changes. There is clean water on site to wash hands, mix oral rehydration for diarrhea, clean wounds and give medicines safely. Fewer patients need to be transported far away, because basic treatment can finally start at home.
Wai Pa Luri Wangu | Rainwater tank for clean water access
Wai Pa Luri Wangu rainwater tank for Hambarita health and daily life
A 5,300 litre ferrocement tank that turns short storms into safe water
The Wai Pa Luri Wangu rainwater tank, a 5,300-litre ferrocement marvel, transforms short storms into a reliable supply of safe water for Hambarita. This achievement, carried out by Fair Future and Kawan Baik Indonesia, represents a cornerstone of primary healthcare, directly within the villagers’ yards.
Built with the assistance of local communities, the tank’s sturdy walls are made from bent steel, mesh, and layered cement, designed to withstand heat, shocks, and the intense monsoon cycles. The smooth plaster inside and outside minimises biofilm formation, ensuring the rainwater stays safe for drinking, cooking, and washing. A first flush and screening system efficiently removes dust, ash, and leaves, keeping the water clean. Overflow is directed to a soak pit, maintaining dry paths and preventing accidents as villagers carry loads.
By repositioning the tap close to kitchens and washing areas, women, elders, and children save several hours weekly, avoiding hazardous motorbike rides with jerrycans. This system reduces reliance on costly tanker water, allowing families to allocate more resources to food, seeds, and education. Community ownership is strengthened through regular cleaning, gutter maintenance, and system inspections. Thus, this project exemplifies preventive medical work by providing home access to clean water, reducing illnesses such as diarrheal diseases and skin infections, and even preventing fractures before clinical intervention is necessary.
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 17th of November, 2025
Related links for this project
Other inspiring organisations
List of Related Organisations with Hyperlinks
- WaterAid: Enhances access to clean water and sanitation through community systems and hygiene education.
- UNICEF WASH: Promotes safe water for children with scalable programmes and field guidance.
- WHO Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Establishes standards and health risk reduction tools.
- Rotary International: Supports community water infrastructure and technical partnerships.
- Malaria Partners International: Fosters malaria prevention at the intersection of water and health.
- SolarBuddy: Supplies solar lights that enhance safety and study time in communities without grid power.
- CDC Safe Water: Provides practical guidance on water safety and disease prevention.
