Helping the People Help Themselves

The Sumba Foundation is deeply committed to lessening the consequences of poverty on the island of Sumba. Our aim is to provide humanitarian aid by fostering village-based projects that impact health (including services and malaria control), education, water and income-generation, while preserving and respecting the fragile culture and traditions of the Sumbanese people.

Since 2001 - when The Sumba Foundation was established by Claude Graves and Sean Downs - water, health, education and economic projects now cover a 164 square kilometer area in West Sumba. Some key highlights of our work to date include:

  • Five health clinics built and staffed by the Foundation
  • Malaria infection rates reduced by 85%
  • More than 48 water wells and 191 water stations developed
  • 15 primary schools supplied with water, toilets, tables, chairs, library books and supplies
  • Nearly 500 patients have received life-changing surgery

There is still much to be done, but the solutions to the needs of the people of Sumba are elementary. Helping the people help themselves is the cornerstone for the success of our projects. In doing so, we are confident that we are building the foundation for a better way of life, while carefully preserving the traditions and unspoiled essence that makes Sumba so remarkable.

Latest Projects

More than 90% of all donations go directly to benefit the impoverished people of Sumba. In 2011 - 2012, our major project initiatives continue to be water, health, and education

But we need your help to continue our work. By contributing towards a specific project or category you will know exactly where your donation is going and who your donation will help.

Please do not hesitate to Contact Us if you have any questions about the projects or how to donate.

Buy Tickets!

The 2nd Annual NY Fundraiser is coming up! Join us September 29. Check the Event Site and buy your ticket

Recent News

Inaugural New York Benefit Raises More Than $145,000 for Sumba Foundation Aid Projects

A sold-out crowd of more than 150 enthusiastic supporters and VIPs gathered together on Saturday, September 24, at the first New York area fundraiser in Sag Harbor, New York (Hampton’s area). Over the past ten years, the Sumba Foundation has raised more than $4 million dollars for medical services, malaria eradication, malaria training, wells for clean water, child malnourishment, education and income generation programs for the impoverished people of Sumba Indonesia. 



Another successful surgical mission

Children from all over Sumba and also from Flores benefitted from a recent visit by a surgical team from Interplast Australia and New Zealand.

The Sumba Foundation accepted into 1% For the Planet program

The Sumba Foundation has been approved as a partner of 1% for the Planet - a growing global movement of companies that donate 1% of their sales to a network of environmental organizations worldwide.