Fair Future is dramatically transforming lives in the village of Tana Mbanas, situated in the heart of Sumba Island, through our flagship initiative: the #WaterConnections project.
In this harsh terrain, where every drop of water is as precious as a diamond, our medical and technical teams are fully invested in making this essential mission a reality.
In a place where it seems as though three suns are scorching the sky of Tana Mbanas, hard work is the daily norm for the committed individuals on the ground. Due to extreme climatic conditions, our teams only operate during the less hostile hours, between 8:00 a.m. and noon and from 4:00 p.m. until late evening. This precaution is crucial to minimize the risks of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, hyperthermia, and dehydration—conditions that only exacerbate the existing healthcare challenges in a region already burdened by difficult living conditions.
Tana Mbanas is a village so deeply entrenched in a dry and barren environment that even deep drilling efforts fail to discover underground water. Faced with this hydraulic conundrum, innovation took shape in the form of a massive structure: the roof of the village church, covered by nearly 400 square meters of corrugated iron. This roof doesn’t merely serve as a shelter from the heat but also as a platform for collecting rainwater. This valuable liquid is then filtered and stored in two massive 10,000-liter tanks that we built in collaboration with the local community.
You only need to look at the images to understand this project’s living, ongoing process, which is a tangible manifestation of hope in this place. Faces light up at the prospect of soon having potable water, and our engaged teams are shown welding, cutting, connecting PVC pipes, and erecting metal towers—all demonstrating our collective commitment to ensuring this project belongs to everyone it will serve today and tomorrow.
We have erected two monumental reservoirs as receptacles and sanctuaries for every drop of filtered rainwater. For a population that waterborne diseases like dysentery and cholera have decimated, these tanks represent far more than mere structures; they stand as monuments dedicated to health, vitality, and hope.
The #WaterConnections project is a technical feat, but it also transcends material aspects to become profoundly human. It testifies to our resolve to develop viable and sustainable solutions for the vulnerable populations of this region. It proves that the implausible becomes tangible when hands unite collectively.
At Fair Future, our pride is measured by what we have already accomplished, but our passion lies in all that remains to be done. At every stage of the project, we are guided by our primary mission: to provide access to the vital necessities of life for those who are cruelly lacking them. In the arid territories of Sumba, that access begins with water—one drop at a time.
By supporting Fair Future, you are not just investing in a project; you are investing in the Future of a community, in reducing water-related diseases, and, most importantly, in hope. Thank you for believing in our cause, and above all, thank you for considering those we serve.
Thank you for being so supportive. Together, we are making a difference.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu, October 10th, 2023.
In the heart of Sumba, water is more than a resource—it’s the lifeline that threads the fabric of the community. Our #WaterConnections project does more than just hydrate; it empowers, heals, and elevates people’s lives, turning the implausible into the tangible. This is Fair Future at its core: transformational, innovative, and profoundly human.” —Alex Wettstein, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Fair Future
