Water systems still working great in Agua Caliente and San Gabriel

Safe, convenient water sources continue to benefit the communities of San Gabriel and Agua Caliente, projects that were completed in 2007 and 2008, respectively. We visited these communities again in April, as part of our program monitoring visit. MORE

Project monitoring is important

Our project monitoring visits are one of the most important aspects of our work. All water projects are working on the first day. The true test of sustainability is whether or not water systems are financially stable and functioning over time. It’s also critical to invest in learning from your past work. MORE

Concrete is drying in Tierra Colorada and Plan de Gallinero

Next we visited the communities of Tierra Colorada and Plan de Gallinero, whose water, sanitation and hygiene education projects were just completed. Thanks to your support, the walk for water has now ended for every single household in these two villages. In fact, the concrete on the new “pilas” (sink and washboard) was still curing. Each household also has a toilet. MORE

Las Minas under construction

Construction on the large Las Minas project is well underway. This large water system will benefit 4 communities and 700 people. At the time of our visit, they had extended the 4.5 mile long transmission pipeline from the mountain spring water source within a quarter mile of the first community’s storage tank. MORE

Sustainable projects are a product of consistent funding

Even though it still remains the 2nd poorest country in Latin America, international aid to Honduras has been declining steadily over the past decade. The past twelve months have been especially devastating due to Honduras’ political crisis of 2009 and the global recession.

Thanks to our faithful donors, Water 1st funding for our local Honduran partner, COCEPRADIL, has not decreased. The bad news is that we are currently the only donor funding their water and sanitation projects. The lack of consistent support from other organizations has forced COCEPRADIL to let go of 75% of their staff.

International donors tend to think that success is demonstrated by working in many countries. We feel just the opposite – success is demonstrated by focus and commitment and creating an environment of constant program improvement. MORE

Help us continue to support the implementation of sustainable, life-changing projects in Honduras with your donation today.

PROGRAM UPDATE DETAILS:

• Water systems still working great in Agua Caliente and San Gabriel
• Project monitoring is important
• Concrete is drying in Tierra Colorada and Plan de Gallinero
• Las Minas under construction
• Sustainable projects are a product of consistent funding