Location
Caserío Retirito, Cantón Honduritas, Municipio Nueva Esparta, Departamento La Unión, El Salvador
Community Description
Retirito is a small community (caserío) of about 200 square kilometers within the larger pueblo of Nueva Esparta, which is located in the Department of La Unión in the northeastern section of El Salvador. The climate is very hot and dry and Retirito is somewhat isolated in the foothills near the border of Honduras.
About 70 families summing up to 250 people live within the dry hills of Retirito. These families live very modestly and work mainly in the informal agricultural sector. The community largely sells produce and animal goods within its own community, but also in small markets in neighboring towns.
They grow mainly red kidney beans, maize, sugar cane, summer squash, green beans, maizillo (chicken feed), and yucca. Roosters and chickens are also raised on small plots of land for their meat and eggs.
There is only one school in the town, Centro Escolar of Retirito, which is for children from kindergarten to sixth grade. The school is located at the entrance of Retirito on a steep hill. Two teachers, one of whom is also the school principal, teach the 63 students.
The school uses water from a single open container for its 63 students ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade. This water is used to drink, to wash one’s hands, to wash and cook the food provided daily to the students, to clean the school and the school’s dishes, and to water the plants.
The school teachers fill up the water container every time possible, but it is never enough. This is due to the fact that water is able to flow to this container for only one hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and this one container can only hold so much.
Project Description
This project is to construct a water tank that will be used to provide for the water needs of the school.
There is a site designated for the tank on a small hill on the school grounds. A tube will be attached to this new tank, so that water can flow down to the current water container to refill it when needed.
Retirito has a legalized and active town council (ADESCO) that has met numerous times over this issue, and the town council and the families in the community have already pledged their support.
Water Charity funds will be used to purchase a water tank that holds eight barrels of water, tubes, pipes, a valve, and a faucet.
The school will pay for cement, glue, sand, a water filter, a small reimbursement to the community members for their time spent constructing the tank, and the cost to hire a metal-working technician to assist in the more intricate parts of the construction
Project Impact
Currently 63 students and 2 teachers will benefit from this project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Natalie Lovgren
Comments
The health of the students in Retirito will be improved by a clean, adequate, and reliable supply of water.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00
Donations Collected to Date
$555.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has now been fully funded through the generosity of friends and family of Peace Corps Volunteer Natalie Lovgren.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Natalie of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Natalie and/or those of other PCVs in the country.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.