Our 2025 Summit was incredibly productive, yielding exciting progress on our water and sanitation projects in Guatemala.
Here are some of the highlights:
Vista Hermosa: A Community-Driven Approach
We successfully completed the Community Assessment for the Vista Hermosa Global Grant. This new requirement for Global Grant funding is crucial. It ensures project sustainability by empowering the community to choose, direct, and maintain the entire process. Rotary understands that a successful WASH project must align with the community's actual needs. For instance, if a community prioritizes a school over a WASH project, our support should reflect that.
The assessment process was truly eye-opening. We gained a much deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the villagers:
Severe Water Shortages: We were shocked to learn how dire the water and sanitation situation has become. Very few homes receive any piped water at all, and those that do only have access for a few hours a day.
Difficult Water Access: Fetching water is a grueling task. For most families, the nearest water source is a small stream kilometers away, requiring a perilous 200-meter descent. Worse yet, this stream dries up seasonally, forcing villagers to rely on rainwater or expensive water trucking.
Strong Municipal Support: We were thrilled to discover the strong support from the local government. The mayor has pledged to provide all the necessary skilled labor – plumbers, stone masons, carpenters, welders, etc. – and is exploring potential financial contributions. In fact, two city council members accompanied us on visits to Agua del Pueblo-designed wastewater treatment plants, hoping to adapt the designs for other communities. This level of engagement is incredibly promising for the long-term success of the project.
Panimaquip: Bringing Water to the People
Agua del Pueblo's second project was a major undertaking: bringing piped water for the first time to Panimaquip and the Parcelas of Pampojila. For more details on this fascinating project, check out this fascinating article: AdPKarp,Cabrera,CabreraPart1.docx
We had a productive meeting with the mayor of San Lucas, who confirmed his full support. He even took us to witness the well drilling operation already underway for Panimaquip – a testament to the municipality's commitment! We also met with Julio Cesar Morales, the director of Construction for the San Lucas Mission, who informed us that the mission has already raised $100,000 for the project. This collaborative effort is a fantastic example of community partnership in action.
This summit has left us feeling energized and inspired. We are confident that these projects will make a significant difference in the lives of the people of Vista Hermosa and Panimaquip. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this important work!
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