This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Samantha Boss.
To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to do several small upgrades to accommodate the water needs of the school.
Samantha reports:
Work on the project began March 31 2012. Collaborating with the morning and afternoon school staff, parents of students and myself, we were able to successfully accomplish all of the objectives (but, as to be expected with various obstacles).
Day One: Three fathers assisted a teacher and me to go purchase all of the materials needed while the masons began their work. We were able to take advantage of spring break/Easter and complete the project while the students were on vacation. Masons removed the pila and prepped the foundation for its new spot while also doing the plumbing for the four new faucets.
Day Two: Masons completed the faucets and connected the Rotoplas water deposit on the roof of the school.
Day Three: Masons, teachers and fathers moved the pila and connected it. Masons connected the check valve to make sure that the water from the deposit stays in the school.
Day Four: A plumber (who is also a father of a student) replaced the accessories in the toilets.
All in all, the project went mostly smoothly. We accomplished what we set out to do. However, we made some discoveries along the way, one being that neither of the principals was aware that there are three valves to shut off the water. The problem was that in the afternoon the toilets still weren’t getting water because they weren’t connected to the main piping and we were unable to dedicate time and funds to unearthing the mystery.
The largest change is that there is now water all day from the faucets and the pila. Children can now wash their hands, bucket the water to flush the toilets (or in the morning, flush the toilets), brush their teeth, and wash their mugs for their school snack.
The project also pushed the two schools to work together. There is normally a lot of tension between the morning school and afternoon school over small issues that come along with sharing a space. But through this project they were forced to work together for the benefit of the students and they saw how much more they could accomplish working together.
I would like to thank Water Charity on behalf of myself, the teachers, the students and parents of EOUM Pablo Garzona Napoles. You provided us with the opportunity to learn about project development and planning and also have given the children of Almolonga the gift of clean water, all day, every day. Thank you.
We, in turn, extend our thanks to Samantha for completing the project, and to her friends and family for providing the funding.
