Water Connection Project in Tanambanas: A Vital Innovation for Access to Clean Water in an Arid Region of Southeast Asia.
The Water Connections project in Tanambanas is currently underway and represents a significant advancement in addressing water scarcity in one of the driest regions in Southeast Asia.
This revolutionary initiative aims to harvest precious rainwater from the 400 square meters of the local church’s roof and ingeniously store it in two reservoirs, each with a capacity of 10,000 liters (20m3 in total). This creative and innovative approach results from the ingenuity of the Fair Future Foundation and Kawan Baik, which boldly tackles the challenges posed by the absence of stable groundwater in the region; hence, the need to find alternative solutions and innovate.
For all of us here, the goal is clear: to ensure the survival of villagers during the long dry season that prevails here, often lasting more than eight months per year, by safely storing the largest quantity of rainwater. We invite you to delve into the details by consulting our comprehensive presentation document here.
This alternative is up-and-coming and eloquently demonstrates how innovative ideas can provide practical solutions to water access issues in regions facing extremely challenging climatic conditions, as is the case in the Tana Mbanas region in Sumba Tenggah. Since February 2023, we have dedicated numerous hours to designing, planning, and carrying out in-depth feasibility studies to implement this ambitious yet revolutionary project successfully.
Implementing a project of this scale in such an isolated region presents a significant logistical challenge, as everything is complex here. For example, it takes four hours by truck to transport materials to the site, and the nearest water source is an hour’s drive away. All construction materials are transported from Rumah Kambera, our Base Camp in Waingapu, which is nearly four hours away. Additionally, constructing two massive ferro-cement reservoirs, each with a capacity of 2x 10,000 liters, requires significant water, which we must obtain through 5000-liter tank trucks, among other essential resources.
These recent images demonstrate the substantial progress made within the framework of this vital project, which will have a profound impact on hundreds of families in the village of Tanambanas.
We wish to express our gratitude to our donors and all the volunteers who assist us daily in our mission. Their unwavering support is the driving force behind our success.
Of course, every contribution is crucial to fulfilling our mission, enabling our team of builders, logisticians, and water specialists, as well as all the medical groups who, while we work on this #WaterConnections project in Tana Mbanas, are fighting tirelessly within the #ZeroMalaria and #PrimaryMedicalCare programs for the health of all, especially children, to improve health and save lives in these remote regions.
Your generosity changes lives and restores hope in places that desperately need it. We will continue to share exciting developments in this project and other vital initiatives. Stay tuned to learn more about how, together, we make a difference.
Thank you very much for your support.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu,
September 19th, 2023.
We invite all interested individuals to view the photo gallery illustrating this exceptional work and to learn more on our Instagram account.
In the relentless pursuit of innovation and sustainable solutions, Fair Future examines the crucial significance of rainwater in regions grappling with a scarcity of clean water. Here’s why rainwater, when collected and stored correctly, becomes an invaluable resource:
- Seasonal Availability: During the rainy season, there is an abundance of rainwater. By astutely capturing this resource, we create an essential reserve to meet needs during relentless dry periods.
- Economical and Sustainable: The use of rainwater represents a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach, providing a long-term supply of clean water;
- Alleviating Pressure on Local Resources: Harnessing rainwater reduces the demand on other local water sources like rivers, thus preserving these precious resources for future generations;
- Water Quality: Rainwater is inherently clean, and when stored correctly, it maintains its superior quality;
- Accessibility in Remote Areas: Rainwater is a viable solution where traditional water infrastructure is lacking, reaching remote communities;
- Conservation of Potable Water: Using rainwater for daily needs eases the strain on potable water resources, reserving them for essential uses;
In Tana Mbanas and Laindatang, we implement stringent precautions to ensure the purity of rainwater. When diligently executed, this method represents an ingenious response to providing clean drinking water where access is a constant challenge. This benefits communities and contributes to preserving our environment, a mission defining the essence of Fair Future.
