Our partnership with El Porvenir

The community members played the greatest role in this project as they helped build the new water system in their village. Guácimos Salale residents, particularly the children and elderly, suffered from diarrhea and skin disease from drinking and bathing in dirty water. Women had to wake up early and spent most of their time walking to bring water back to their homes, which eventually took a toll on their physical health. Inadequate hygienic sanitation was also a concern as the old design was rustic: built from tree trunks, plastic and quarry stone. The community was able to build household latrines and now 16 out of 37 families have hygienic, dignified sanitation. Additionally, 40 families in the village of La Rinconada were also able to benefit this project and their own household latrines.

Residents reported better health and healthy children are less likely to miss school and healthy adults are better able to work. Women no longer need to spend hours walking to unhealthy water, so they are able to raise more domestic animals for sale get involved with their children’s studies, open a small store, and more!  But more importantly, the community has been empowered to change their perception about themselves and realized they can self-advocate and create change in their community.

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