National Hispanic Heritage Month: FFTP, Water Mission Bringing Treated Water to Communities in Chiapas, Mexico
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2023) – Families in El Fortin and Puente Margaritas, Mexico, soon will have access to treated drinking water, thanks to Food For The Poor (FFTP) and Water Mission, a longtime trusted partner.
The charity is working with Water Mission to provide treated water and sanitation to 10 communities in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas over the next five years.
The work begins in El Fortin and El Puentes Margaritas in the municipality of Pijijiapan, where 2,971 residents will benefit from access to a customized safe water treatment and distribution system to meet their water needs.
As FFTP works to expand its mission to provide sustainable livelihoods for poverty-stricken families, the charity is adding Mexico to the list of places it is focusing on in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Today, FFTP recognizes the rich culture and traditions of Mexico as the charity marks National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, and charts a course for helping families in need thrive there for generations to come.
Chiapas has a population of 5 million people and is one of the most impoverished states in Mexico. Of the 32 states that make up Mexico, Chiapas recorded the lowest per capita income between 2003 and 2016.
In Mexico, the challenge is clarifying and educating residents about what makes water clean and safe to drink. People from El Fortin and Puente Margaritas suffer from frequent stomach illnesses due to a lack of access to treated water.
“We’ve all suffered from salmonella and typhoid here,” said Santiago, a father of three children and a local pastor in El Fortin. “There is not much education about safe water in schools. Some people boil water for drinking water only, but most drink unsafe water.”
FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine said the charity is deeply committed to improving the lives of those who are most vulnerable and marginalized.
“Access to treated water is a fundamental human right, and our partnership with Water Mission reinforces our dedication to providing lifesaving resources to those in need,” Raine said. “Together, we will bring hope and transformation to the communities of Chiapas.”
Water Mission has a long history of successfully implementing safe water solutions in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Their expertise, combined with the support of FFTP’s generous donors and the charity’s commitment to sustainable development, creates a powerful synergy for change.
“These efforts will not only ensure access to treated water but also empower local communities with the knowledge and tools to sustain these improvements for generations to come,” Raine said. “They are gaining increased knowledge of good sanitation and hygiene habits.”
Food For The Poor is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with a Facebook challenge and inviting everyone to join a special Facebook group where you can participate in fun and engaging posts about Hispanic culture. Additionally, there is the option to join in with fundraising for Latin American children. Join the challenge by clicking: https://www.facebook.com/groups/878738036917877/
About Water Mission
Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds sustainable safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Water Mission’s global headquarters is in North Charleston, SC, and the organization has more than 400 staff members based in Africa; Asia; North, South, and Central America; and the Caribbean. Charity Navigator has awarded Water Mission its top four-star rating 17 years in a row, a distinction shared by less than 1% of the charities rated by the organization. To learn more, visit watermission.org, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]
