Location
La Primavera, San Pedro Jocopilas, El Quiche, Guatemala
Community Description
La Primavera is located in the department of El Quiche, Guatemala. The population in 2010 was 3,044 habitants. Running water is a severe need for the community since 67% of the 406 homes do not have running water. Furthermore, 46% of homes do not have latrines.
There are three primary (elementary) schools and one basico (middle school) in which none have running water. The center of Primavera consists of a market, a Catholic church, and the central school.
This past year the committee of Padres de Familia (Parents of the Family) worked together to build three latrines for the center school. The other two schools are still without latrines.
In the central school, there are 420 students that attend elementary school in the morning and 74 students who attend middle school in the afternoon. Every day, students need to carry a 2-Liter bottle of water with them in order to sustain the school’s water supply. Oftentimes, the students’ commute to school is over an hour walk.
Without sufficient water, the teachers are unable to teach basic hygiene. These rudimentary practices are essential in the development of preventative health and the reduction of illnesses.
Project Description
This project is to install a water storage tank at the school.
The plan for a secure water source is to install a Rotoplas water tank of 750 L in the school. There is a “well” about 40 meters from the school from which water will be extracted and piped into the Rotoplas. Piping will then run from the Rotoplas to a faucet that will be located above the pila (sink). On either side of the pila are two stations with drains that allows for washing hands and dishes.
The work will be implemented by construction workers in the committee of Padres de Familia. The father of one of the students, Mario Baten, will deliver materials from the town center out to the village.
The work will include securing the piping in the well, running it to the school, constructing the elevated stand for the tank, placing the tank on the stand, and installing and running piping to the faucet.
One leader of the community, Daniel Hernandez, is the mechanic for all water projects located in Primavera. He will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the system.
With a secure source of water, a future project will be to implement basic hygiene practices into the student’s curriculum. These will include programs to promote handwashing and dental hygiene.
Project Impact
There will be a total of 509 direct beneficiaries, including 15 teachers, 420 elementary school students, and 74 middle school students.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Chelsea Leroux
Comments
A secure source of water will enable the school to implement healthy practices, leading to a decrease of 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 the Paul Bechtner Foundation.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Chelsea Leroux of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Chelsea 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.