Location
Aldea El Sitan, Patzicia, Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Community Description
El Sitan is a small village that is part of the town of Patzicia, with approximately 1,000 inhabitants. The main source of income for the community is agriculture. There is one official school and one preschool.
The village is located approximately 3 km away from the main town. It is known as a fairly impoverished area of the community.
PAIN El Sitan is a one-room school, with 45 students and 1 teacher.
Currently, the school has water faucets and flushing toilets. However, the water deposits for the school were stolen so the students are not able to use the facilities. In front of the school, there is a well that the teacher uses when necessary.
Project Description
This project is for the construction of a concrete water deposit for the school. In addition, the tubing will be used to connect the water deposit to the well in front of the school. Finally, a pump will be installed to pump water from the well to the elevated water deposit.
The water deposit is a covered tank, with small access large enough for maintenance and cleaning. The deposit will be made of concrete blocks, which will be purchased in town. It will be constructed in place on top of the building containing the school bathrooms.
The water deposit will be 1 m x 2 m x 1 m, and hold 2,000 liters of water. First, the concrete base will be placed, followed by a layer of concrete blocks with 2 bars of 3/8 inch steel. Construction will continue with alternate layers of different types of blocks and concrete to give it structural strength.
The water pump will be submersible so as to decrease the probability of it burning out. The pump will be purchased in the next big city close to town and will be picked up by a person in the community who is working on the project. The pump is designed for a 50 m well depth, and the capacity is 5.8 gallons per minute.
Flexible 1 ¼ inch PVC tubing will be used to connect the water pump to the deposit. The tubing will be buried in order to protect it from the elements and prevent it from being stolen.
The community will donate the labor for placing the tubing and the water pump and will make financial donations as necessary.
All of the materials, with the exception of the pump, will be purchased in town.
The project has the backing and financial support of the mayor, who will pay for the materials, labor, and construction.
Project funds will be used for the purchase of the water pump and tubing.
Project Impact
This project will benefit all of the 1,000 inhabitants, including the 45 students, as the school is the site of a number of community meetings and celebrations.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Amber Bell
Comments
This project will result in the school gaining continuous access to water, to be used for cleaning, sanitation, and hygiene, during the entire year. It builds upon the infrastructure already in place and makes it functional.
Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00
Donations Collected to Date
$500.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Katharine Auchter of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Katharine 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.