Casa Miani Well Project – Philippines

Location
Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Bicol region, Philippines

Community Description
Sorsogon City is a second-class city in Sorsogon, Philippines. It is the capital city of the province of Sorsogon and is located at the southernmost tip of Luzon. For this reason, Sorsogon City is well known for being a “gateway” to the southern Philippines”.

Sorsogon City is one of the region’s leading cities in urbanization, Bicol’s largest city in terms of land area, and one of its most populous cities as well, at about 153,000.

Sorsogon City is identified as a high-risk province relative to combined climate- and weather-related risks and volcanic eruptions. The city is particularly at high risk to tropical cyclones and storm surges, extreme rainfall, flooding, increased precipitation, temperature variability and sea level rise.

Pangpang, the second largest barangay in the Sorsogon City, consists of about 8,700 people and is spread out over 932.32 hectares. Pangpang is north of the Sorsogon Bay and south of the Albay Gulf.

Casa Miani Foundation Inc. is a non-profit non-government organization (NGO) in rural Barangay Pangpang. It provides services to male children between 7-18 years old who are abandoned, neglected, dependent, and orphans. It is accredited and licensed by the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD).

Casa Miani is a residential facility and has a maximum capacity to accommodate 56 children. It takes care of the basic needs of the boys, including education, clothing, food, medical, and dental services.

The center’s funding comes primarily from private gifts, donations, and a minimal amount raised through their Income Generating Project (IGP). For example, the boys participate in t-shirt printing, novelty item making (candle holders, wall décor, paintings etc.) ice candy making and wood furniture.

They recently started using a biogas machine to convert biological matter, including manure from the livestock, to gas.

At this time, Casa Miani’s main facility is using just one small water tank to supply all of its basic needs, including bathing, washing, drinking, cooking, cleaning, and caring for the animals.

Casa Miani currently owns a large amount of land across the street from the main facility that holds a piggery, chicken coop, bakery, and gardens. Therefore, there is an enormous need for another water source at the site.

Project Description
This project is to dig a well across the street from the main facility. The well will have an electric pump, and a backup manual pump to serve during brownouts.

The new well will allow the center to irrigate the land and actively harvest fruits and vegetables for the children, staff, and community.

A local contractor will dig the well and install the pumps. Project funds will be used to build the well, buy a water tank and purchase necessary materials.

Casa Miani staff, residents, and local community members will assist in getting the supplies to the construction site. Staff will go over basic rules on how to maintain the well after it is in place.

The center has future plans to expand their organic garden to teach the Casa Miani children and neighboring children new livelihood skills.

Project Impact
This project will directly benefit the 61 members who make up the staff and residents of Casa Miani Foundation Inc. The Pangpang community will definitely benefit indirectly from the production of fruits, vegetables, and healthy livestock.

Casa Miani is located directly next to a home for girls, a home for the aged, a juvenile lockdown facility, and a school. Excess produce will be donated to these facilities and sold to residents of the community.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Shala Meindel

Comments
This project will provide needed water to support the work of the center. It will add meaningfully to the health and well-being of the residents of the center by providing them with water for daily use and to irrigate the crops.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$100.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you “naming rights”, if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of the Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$400.00

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.