This project is made possible through the partnership of Water Charity and the National Peace Corps Association. 
Location
Ferreñafe Zoo – Ferreñafe, Lambayeque, Peru
Community Description
Ferreñafe is a town of roughly 32,000 located twenty-five minutes from Chiclayo, the fourth largest city in Peru.
There is an ongoing reforestation initiative to increase and maintain the number of native species near the city center, beautify the town of Ferreñafe’s Municipal Zoological Park and create a green space out of a previously poorly utilized piece of land. The 2-hectare terrain was used as a location for solid waste disposal until 2001 and was converted into a zoological park in 2011.
The Northeast sector consists of a 45,000 cubic meter mound of solid waste capped with a 1.5-meter layer mixture of clay, silt, and sand. More than 200 native trees have been planted on top of this section and are currently watered once a week with water delivered by a truck with a supply tank. The Southern section consists of different fruit tree varieties and housing for a variety of rescued and donated animals. The current system of water supply is inefficient, not meeting park demands and delaying future project growth.
Problem Addressed
The park lacks necessary water for the bathing of animals and watering of native plant species in a local zoological park.
Project Description
This project is to build a well at the Zoological Park.
The well will be 7.2 meters deep located in the Southeastern corner of the park. The water will be used for the watering of plants and the bathing of animals. The installation of a well will allow for improving the current level of upkeep, increasing park environmental courses and with the help of two local ecological brigades,
400 new trees will be transplanted by the project close. The Municipality has performed the initial inspection for the installation of a well, and agreed to provide the necessary construction materials and the manual labor necessary for the upkeep and monitoring of the project.
With the excavation and construction of a well, the municipality, and community plan to grow and sustain more than 1,000 new trees in the zoo area. With at least 400 to be transplanted by the project closing date. With a consistent water source, the quality of life of the animals can also be greatly improved. While the animals are not currently being mistreated, the effort to deliver water regularly is a strain on workers and requires extra duties of workers in other municipal positions.
A more localized water source will greatly alleviate the scarcity and eliminate the constant need to juggle watering efforts. The animals at the site will be able to have their bathing water changed on a more regular basis, rather than when it becomes the most obvious concern. For example, one of the now turned-off taps is located above the bathing area for the turtles. The water could be easily be drained and refilled twice a week, as is necessary when housing sixteen turtles. However, due to local disputes, this has been completely shut off. By installing a well on-site regular bathing practice could once again be put into place for the relatively few but valuable animals at the zoo park.
The well will be machine dug and supported by the installation of six concrete rings that each measure 1.2 meters. The structure will be covered by slanted sheet metal roofing when not in use and located in a section of the park off-limits to visitors.
The water will be pumped from the well using a Honda G300 pump with a 3-inch diameter hose lowered into the flooded zone. When extracted the water will then go to three different locations:
- An underground storage tank (already in place) which pumps to a separate water tank in the highest point of the park to gravity feed a hose for plant and tree watering.
- Two barrels are located near the park entrance for quick access for cleaning, hand watering, and other small tasks.
- Directly applied to other nearby trees, animal cages and tree nursery with attached hose.
Project Impact
2,000 people (approximately), as well as the animals themselves, will benefit from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Matthew Wildhagen
Monitoring and Maintenance
The Environmental Manager of Ferreñafe will perform bimonthly visits in order to ensure park progress and upkeep.
Comments
With a reliable source of water, time and fuel will be saved from having to truck water in from a nearby canal, and problems will be avoided, due to the dry season, when this water is needed more by local farmers and residents. The Municipality will also be able to better utilize its workers, especially in the city recycling program, which has been burdened by having to routinely deliver water to this offsite location.
While the park still lacks bathroom facilities, much interest has been expressed in constructing these once a reliable source of water becomes established. This same water could be routed from the underground storage tank to lavatory facilities with minimal future alterations. The bathrooms would have to be constructed at a later date and connected to the city sewer system.
Dollar Amount of Project
$1,500
Donations Collected to Date
$100
Dollar Amount Needed
$1,400
This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion, CLICK HERE.
ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE PROJECT.
Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will allow you a posted dedication if that is something you would like.
