Access to Water

Access to Water
AN INSIGHT INTO WATER PROJECTS IN GUATEMALA

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Access to Water and Urgency

Only 56% Guatemalans have access to safe drinking water. It is a significant public health issue that keeps families in poverty. Access to water is also a powerful tool in the fight against poverty.

Every year, Food for the Poor (FFTP) funds water system overhauls similar to the Chuaquenum and Niagara water projects. Because of the magnitude of the issue, it remains an urgent priority. Your donations are vital to the success of this program.

Access to Water and Urgency

About The Chuaquenum Community

Chuaquenum is home to 820 people (or 122 families). Most villagers are farmers who produce corn, beans, sugar cane, squash, coffee, and various fruit trees. But many of them needed easy access to water.

The village already had a drainage system and two drinking water projects, but 74 families still had to walk up to 40 minutes each way to fetch water from sources that weren’t safe for consumption. Additionally, water collections made with pails were never enough to cover the needs of an entire family.

About The Niagara Community

Niagara is a rural vllage of 32 families in eastern Guatemala that struggles with poverty, drought, and insufficient infrastructure. The Niagara community is purely agricultural, growing crops such as corn, beans, sesame, and chili, with most yields used for self-consumption.

The villagers constantly suffered from waterborne diseases. While the village had turned to the government for help, nothing came of it. They didn’t have essential services such as water, electricity.

About The Niagara Community



OVERHAULING A VILLAGE WATER SYSTEM


Overhauling a village's water system is a complexe engineering project that requires both skilled labor and the proper type of equipment. We rely in on our donors' generosity to make them possible. Donors can make contributions directly to the Guatenala assistance program, shop our gift catalog to fund equipment, or start a fundraiser campaign.

The Equipment required

Water and sanitation projects usually require installing the following type of equipment:

  • Spring water catchment
  • Conduction pipeline
  • Water pressure boxes
  • Pipe passage
  • Concrete cleaning boxes
  • Distribution tank
  • Distribution pipeline
  • Water chlorination system

The Main Peoject Phases

Building or overhauling a water system usually requires the following activities:

  • Building a distribution tank with block walls and reinforced concrete to withstand the different loads exerted by the water
  • Cleaning water pump boxes
  • Installing air valves, pressure breaker boxes, ditch crossings, and stopcocks to distribute to maintain adequate flow and pressure
  • Laying PVC pipes from the distribution tank to water meeters


Maribel

I am the president of the Fontierra board of directors and a mother of three children.Niagara is a very poor community, lacking water and electricity. Different governments and authorities have come and gone over the years, but they haven’t invested in or improved the living conditions of our community.

The drinking water problem was severe. We had to walk more than an hour to access the nearest river. In the winter, we could find pools of water, but they were contaminated with parasites and often with toads. This made the situation even more difficult, as we needed this water for consumption. Stomach aches and diarrhea were the most common diseases in children. The nearest health post is hours away, and we don't have emergency transportation for the sick.

Now, with the water project, the situation has changed. Water, which is life, is now easily accessible. It’s a sign that the living situation in our community will improve, and we are very grateful for all the support we have received.

Reyna Maribel Del Cid Diaz, 35, Niagara



JUAN AND HIS SON

I’m Carlos Ortiz, and I am a 50-year-old farmer. My wife, Micaela Lorenzo, and I have three beautiful children, a son and two daughters, all under 12 years of age. Before, we had to boil rainwater to ensure it was safe to consume. In doing so, we’d inhale smoke, swapping one danger for another.

My family and I were one of the 74 families who benefited from the water project. Since we didn't have easy access to water before, we're very grateful to God and to you for this generous donation.

Micaela is also filled with happiness when she opens the faucet. She never expected to get water to our house because a project of this size is costly. Thank you for making this water access a reality for us and other families in Chuaquenum!

Carlos Ortiz, 50, Chuaquenum





Help Us Invest in More Communities
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You can help us alleviate poverty in another rural community by starting a fundraiser campaign. The proceeds of your campaign will be used to finance a similar micro-enterprise project in Guatemala. Click the link below to learn how you can build a micro site and invite your friends to donate.

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