Reaching out in the cause of clean, safe drinking water
Andrea Marie Castro, once a student intern and now an Environmental Scientist at 7Q10, is off to Guatamala with other Rotary volunteers to participate in a program that will bring clean, safe drinking water to rural populations in that country. Andrea was a natural choice for the project since she is bi-lingual and has experience in clean water engineering and sanitation, having also worked on similar projects in Africa. She will be meeting with principals of schools and community leaders, assembling and installing the water filters both in homes and schools, and installing cooking stoves in homes.
A fund of $19,600 was raised for 392 water filters at $50 each, with the participation of the Reno Central Rotary, Grand Prairie Texas Club, a local Guatemala club, the Florence, Oregon Club and matching grants from two Rotary districts.
The Heart to Heart International project joined forces with The National Comission of Action for Children, Youth and Family (ACONANI) to improve health in Guatemala through a targeted, phased approach to water, sanitation and hygiene improvements. Over a five year period, this program intends to increase access to safe water supplies, appropriate sanitation facilities and hygiene education among target populations in Panajachel, San Antonio Palopo,
San Juan la Launa, San Andres Semetabaj, Santiago Atitlan, San Pedro la Laguna and San Pablo la Laguna, located in Soloa, Guatemala.
For the first year pilot program, elementary schools will be targeted due to the potential impace of water, sanitation and hygiene education in school settins. Currently, none of the seven target schools have access to potable water supplies, While most do have some form of latrine, they are unsanitary and in need of repair and improvement.
We will be following along with Andrea as she sends dispatches back, telling us more about the mission, the local conditions and challenges, and her progress.
