CLEAN WATER PROJECT
Background: In May 2019, one of our teams launched a pilot project with our partner, Moviendo Esperanzas. In the region of Barra del Colorado, an isolated island was identified with a community where some basic necessities were unavailable. Because of its location and natural obstacles, government resources were not made available. The community had to find other means for survival.
Clean water access has been very limited to this community. The only way to access clean water is to travel by boat to a near-by community with a water well. Unfortunately, not all families have access to boats or money to hire one. Instead, they collect rainwater and utilize water from the river, both with adverse effects. Rainwater requires collection via their tin roofs, making contact with rust and bird droppings. Water is then collected and stored in large barrels where bacteria grow and thrive in the stagnant water. River water is typically brown and dirty.
Progress: In our pilot project, we provided ten families with water filters and buckets. Due to the distance between homes, community water wells are not ideal. We educated the families on the importance of clean water and provided training for installation and maintenance. With proper care, these filters will theoretically last a lifetime. In January 2020, we made a follow-up visit to see what impact this has made thus far. We are pleased to share that families are still using these filters, primarily for drinking water.
Next Steps: Our next step is to complete a second in-person follow-up visit and then expand our pilot base.
Clean water access has been very limited to this community. The only way to access clean water is to travel by boat to a near-by community with a water well. Unfortunately, not all families have access to boats or money to hire one. Instead, they collect rainwater and utilize water from the river, both with adverse effects. Rainwater requires collection via their tin roofs, making contact with rust and bird droppings. Water is then collected and stored in large barrels where bacteria grow and thrive in the stagnant water. River water is typically brown and dirty.
Progress: In our pilot project, we provided ten families with water filters and buckets. Due to the distance between homes, community water wells are not ideal. We educated the families on the importance of clean water and provided training for installation and maintenance. With proper care, these filters will theoretically last a lifetime. In January 2020, we made a follow-up visit to see what impact this has made thus far. We are pleased to share that families are still using these filters, primarily for drinking water.
Next Steps: Our next step is to complete a second in-person follow-up visit and then expand our pilot base.
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Check out our pilot run of the project.
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Check out our pilot run of the project from our counterpart's perspective.
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