Location
Paraje Xoljoc, Aldea Pitzal, Momostenango, Totonicapan
Community Description
Paraje Xoljoc is located off of the Inter-American Highway on Km 210 heading towards Huehuetenango. It consists of approximately 1,000 inhabitants.
The native language is known as K’iche’ (Quiche), but Spanish is spoken by over 99% of the men and is understood by most women. The men dedicate themselves to either farming or commerce, or they emigrate to the United States to look for work.
Mothers are expected to stay at home and attend to the children. Like in many other parts of Guatemala, corn is grown by all families, although the increased population and lack of harvest leads the great majority of the families to purchase this staple from importers.
171 children attend EORM Xoljoc. Of these students, 87 are female and 84 are male.
The school consists of a “Consejo Educativo” or educative committee that oversees maintenance and assists teachers with coordinating general festivities throughout the year.
The arrival of the Healthy Schools program to EORM Xoljoc was well received by students and parents. The parents did not hesitate to provide their children with basic hygiene utensils when they were asked to, because they understand that healthy habits will be carried for life.
The school has a kitchen and an additional solid-block classroom. There are 3 cinder-block latrines.
However, the school has only one water source, known as a “pila”. It is insufficient for the needs of the children for drinking water, teeth brushing, and handwashing.
Project Description
This project is to build a handwashing station with 8 to 10 faucets. This will alleviate the clustering of children and facilitate the implementation of a washing schedule among classrooms.
Water Charity funds will be used to purchase the materials.
The labor will be provided by the community, with skilled masonry services directed by the educative committee.
The school water supply comes from an underground spring up in the mountain. It is abundant during most of the year, except during February and part of March, when less water flows.
In the future, the parents also plan to build a new concrete water storage tank to replace the one that was structurally damaged during the 2010 storms. Such a tank will be used year-round, but especially during the dry season to make up for lost pressure due to a decrease in water flow from the groundwater source.
Project Impact
This project will benefit 171 children and 6 teachers, as well as the 1,000 community inhabitants who come to the school for community events.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Daniel Landeros
Comments
The handwashing station is required for Healthy Schools certification. It will allow the children to wash their hands after leaving the bathroom and before eating. As such, it will have a direct impact on reducing gastrointestinal illness.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00
Donations Collected to Date
$555.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of Michael and Carla Boyle, of Huntingdon, PA, USA.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Daniel Landeros of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Daniel and/or those other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.