This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Madeline Syzek. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to build an 8-faucet handwashing station and water storage system at the school.
Madeline reports:
An 8-faucet hand washing station, equipped with a water storage system, was built at the rural school Sector (1) in San Miguel Siguila, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
A local mason and unskilled workers worked diligently building the handwashing station from the ground up. They started by building the base with wood, cement, and iron bars. They then completed the shape of the hand washing station with cement and put into place the 8 faucets that would be used by the teachers and children. They also dug a drainage ditch, where they placed tubes to direct the water to the nearest drainage site.
The project went very smoothly, and with the Water Charity funds, the community and school were able to buy enough supplies to successfully complete the handwashing station that the school had desperately needed. Now, instead of 1 faucet for 300 children and 13 teachers, the school is equipped with 8 faucets where the children are able to practice hand washing and healthy habits.
When I visited the school to see the final product, the children could not wait to show me how to use the faucets. They immediately ran to their classrooms to get soap to wash their hands. The smiles on their faces showed how proud they were to have brand new faucets at their school, and the teachers were so grateful that they were able to receive a project that will greatly benefit their community.
We are grateful to Madeline for completing this project, and again extend our thanks to the Paul Bechtner Foundation for providing the funding.
