On the Island of Maringkik, access to clean water is the key to education.
Maringkik, located in West Nusa Tenggara near Lombok, is home to a vibrant community of shark fishermen and their families. Even though they are surrounded by water, there was no clean drinking water on the island, with local families importing bottled water at a significant cost to the community and the environment.
In partnership with Project Hiu, the Reece Foundation and seven trade volunteers worked together to deliver Project Maa, which has provided the community with access to a sustainable and safe water source.
Project Hiu is a not-for-profit that works with shark fishermen to repurpose shark fishing vessels and provide an alternative income for fishermen, working collaboratively to promote shark conservation and community prosperity through education and training.
Founder Madison Stewart recognised that many shark fishermen she worked with came from Maringkik. Children on the Island can attend school for free, but only if they can afford to drink bottled water. With classrooms reaching temperatures of up to 31 degrees, the key to education, and an alternative pathway to shark fishing, is hydration.
As part of the project, the Reece Foundation trade volunteers supported the Project Hiu team to install a rainwater catchment and filtration system at the local school that the community can easily maintain. As a result, 405 students and staff gained access to clean drinking water, a water source that also indirectly benefits the broader community of 3000 people.
For many of the Reece Foundation volunteers involved, including plumber Fabian Schweizer, it was a life-changing experience.
“The highlight for me was achieving the project milestones working with the community and the volunteers. It was an amazing experience for me – I learnt a lot about myself and working in a team,” said Fabian.
Project Maa has had a ripple effect across the Maringkik community, supporting health outcomes for school staff; providing further employment opportunities for Project Hiu crew during the construction phase, and expanding Project Hiu’s reach on Maringkik through this island-wide project. Project highlights include:
A 22% increase in students access to water when they needed it,
A 5% increase in physical health of students,
The largest improvement reported among school staff was feeling less worried, having a positive impact on their wellbeing;
Staff reported an improvement in school attendance and a boost in students' energy levels.
For Madison Stewart, Project Maa is an example of the power of partnership, and working with and being led by communities to solve challenges together.
“Without the partnership of the Reece Foundation, who met us at the table with years of knowledge and insight, nothing would have been possible. Partnerships are how we achieve the unachievable; the teaming of two charities with different focuses that can come together with unique and effective insights, this is what makes positive impact possible.”
Full findings of the impact of Project Maa, measured in collaboration with Huber Social, can be found here.
To find out more about Project Maa, or volunteer for future Reece Foundation projects visit reecefoundation.charity. You can find out more about the incredible work of Project Hiu here.
This project was made possible with the generous support of product and logistics partners, BWT , the AQUA PEARLS Foundation and C.H Robinson.
Photography and videography credit: Caragh Creative
