Pueblo Nuevo de Bayano Water and Latrine Project – Panama

Location
Pueblo Nuevo de Bayano, Panama Este, Panama

Community Description
Lake Bayano is a man-made lake in Panama Este, created in 1979 to supply water power to a hydroelectric plant that supplies Panama City and the surrounding provinces with electricity.

The great majority of the land surrounding Bayano was reserved to relocate the native American settlements that had to be flooded to create the lake. The lake has become the natural habitat of hundreds of bird and animal species, including some that are found in very few locations in the world.

Lake Bayano now provides a major source of income for its native American residents who harvest tilapia fish for sale locally and to foreign markets.

Pueblo Nuevo de Bayano, located on the Southern Shore of Lake Bayano, is a tiny rural community of 180 fisherman and their families.
The primary revenue-generating activities in this isolated community are fishing, agriculture, and more recently tourism.

A large rustic natural cave is located alongside the community. Adventure travelers are beginning to find out about these caves and come in small numbers. Tourism is the new focus in the community to stimulate the town’s tiny economy.

A small primary school (32 students, 2 teachers) is located in Pueblo Nuevo. Other than that there are no social services (medical, government agencies, NGOs, or shopping) available due to the isolation of this community.

There is no electricity. Water is supplied by a decaying community aqueduct that has leaking and broken tubing.

There are currently no bathroom facilities for tourists to use when visiting the community attractions. Also, one family of 5 has no toilet facilities and currently uses the lake.

Project Description
This project is to replace old and decaying tubing in the community’s aqueduct system.

In addition, two latrines will be built. The first will be for arriving tourists. The second will be for the family currently without facilities.

Project funds will be used to cover the costs of materials, supplies, fuel and transportation. Labor will be provided by the community.

Project Impact
All 180 members of the community will directly benefit from this project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Donald DeAngelis

Comments
This project provides a consistent source of water to the community. It also improves hygiene and sanitation, reducing illness. Finally, it impacts on the financial viability of the village by creating and maintaining jobs and businesses.

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 Paul Bechtner Foundation, with help from friends and family of Donald DeAngelis.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Donald DeAngelis of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Donald and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.

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