A Different Kind of Life: marzo 2013

H20 Para La Primavera

Part II of Tank and Hand Washing Station Construction

We're Done!

Showing their clean hands :-)

After just five weeks, two masons and a total of 120 parents successfully completed the construction of a 10,000L Ferro-cement water tank, an 8 faucet hand washing station, a 4 faucet hand washing station, and all the required piping/tubing to make it a rain-water catchment system. With extra materials and three days left of work, the masons were able to install the extra 4 faucet hand washing station which was not in the original plan. But, with the masons’ and staff’s determination to use all resources and time allotted for the project to improve the school as much as possible, they decided to take this extra step to further improve their school.

How it all started:

With the help from Water Charity in the first phase of this project last year (May 2012) we were able to install a water storage tank and a water basin through a rain water catchment system as well. This system is still in use in one of the three buildings of the school.

Click here to read more about the first phase of the project funded by Water Charity, or:

http://appropriateprojects.com/node/1198

After this first phase of the project, I became in contact with Agua Para La Salud’s director Lynn Roberts who lives about two hours up the road in Nebaj. Since La Primavera is on the way to Nebaj, he decided to stop by and take a look at what more we could do with the school. Little did I know, he had the idea of a complete make-over for the school’s water system. That’s when he began to talk to the director and me about a 10,000L ferro cement water tank and an 8 faucet hand washing station. With the community’s contribution of providing sand, gravel, rock, and manual labor, we were able to begin construction within two weeks of Lynn’s visit. Two weeks later, two masons from Agua Para La Salud arrived to site ready to begin work. These masons were troopers throughout it all. They slept in an old adobe one room house on top of blocks and cardboard (See photo at end of blog!) which didn’t have electricity for the first week or so. The school staff were so kind that they actually ran electricity from the school to the house in order to provide a little bit of light for them. Also, I’m pretty sure since they didn’t have any access to water they didn’t bathe for the entire week. Since they went home each weekend, they could bathe then. Poor guys.

The masons' beds!

What troopers..

Transformation:

Clean hands!

The 10,000L tank was constructed in the building located at a higher elevation between the other two buildings and therefore has tubes that run the water from the tank to the other two schools that have smaller water storage tanks. Since it sits at higher elevation electricity is not required which is a huge benefit of the location of the tank.

At the school where the tank is located, an 8 faucet hand washing station was constructed for 7 classrooms (2nd grade to 6th grade). In the building where the first phase of this project was conducted, the 4 faucet station was constructed for 4 classrooms (kindergarten and 1st grade).

First graders showing me their beautiful smiles
and how to wash their hands!

With the help from Water Charity and Agua Para La Salud the school has experienced a miraculous transformation. The first phase of this project really motivated them to do more for their school- thus allowing this second phase to take place. Without the help from these two organizations the school never would have realized their ambition and desire to improve their sanitation.

Aftermath and Sustainability:

Now, upon the completion of this second phase, the three school buildings all have access to water. The teachers were trained to practice daily hygiene with their students each day. Each class was then trained by their teacher when and how to properly wash their hands and brush their teeth. Furthermore, the teachers are requiring each student to bring soap, a towel, a toothbrush, and toothpaste so that they can incorporate these daily hygiene practices into their class schedule. The participation of the teachers in this project was a very rewarding aspect of working with this school.

"Chelsea, I brought my toothbrush today! Can I show you?"
He then grabs his toothbrush and runs to the faucets.

"Show me your beautiful dientes!"

The most exciting and rewarding part of doing projects like this is actually seeing the sustainability of it. The week following the charlas (lessons), I returned to the school and saw the teachers/director working on a hand washing station in the third school. They raised their own funds and used their own manual labor to create this hand station so that all three buildings would have one. They did this completely on their own. The reason we do projects is to give the people a little push in the right direction and to encourage them to continue improving their school or homes. Therefore, to see this progress so soon after finishing the project is really promising!

Despedida/Lunch

On the last day of the project, the teachers and

The little gifts I made for the masons;
a thank you card, a servilleta from my
town, Reese's and coffee haha

director decided to throw us an inauguration and thank you lunch. They each gave palabras (or a little speach) about how thankful they were to the organizations who provided support, to the masons who provided such hard work, and to me for being the facilitator between the organizations and the school. I have never been on the receiving end of so many palabras. I'm a super awkward person to begin with so this was just one of the strangest experiences I had to endure. They even presented the masons and me with gifts at the end. One of my favorite sayings though was how I'll always have a home within Primavera. Since the majority of the teachers are from Prim, this really put a smile on my face. I feel blessed that I have had such a wonderful Peace Corps experience mainly because of these individuals.

The teachers preparing lunch

The teachers, Comite de Padres de la Familia
(PTA Committee), director, and masons enjoying
the Despedida/Inaugeration Lunch

To sum it all up!

It has been an amazing experience watching the transformation of the school’s water system. A year and a half ago, the students were bringing 2L bottles filled with well water from their homes to fill metal barrels that held the school’s water. Now, not only do they have the infrastructure to allow for increased access to water but also the education needed for healthy living and sustainability.

Once again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to Agua Para La Salud (Lynn Roberts, Stephanie Weaver, and the masons Antonio and Santiago) and Water Charity (Averill Strasser and Mike and Carla Boyle) for helping make this project a reality. Your support will now allow children to lead healthier lives which they would not have the chance to do so without your aid. Your support has completely transformed a rural village’s elementary and middle school’s sanitary infrastructure as well as the employees’ participation in identifying the needs of their school and creating solutions to acknowledge their needs.

To read more about the beginning and conclusion of this second phase through Water Charity, click here; or

http://watercharity.org/node/373

Thank you, Muchas Gracias, Maltiox Chi Wei!