Water For People assists people in developing countries by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities and health and hygiene education programs. Their vision is a world where all people have access to safe drinking water and sanitation; a world where no one suffers or dies from a water- or sanitation-related disease.
Water For People began working in Guatemalan communities in 1992 and now supports approximately more than 10 rural communities in the Department of Quiché each year. Water For People works in small rural villages, primarily in the municipality of Nebaj, where most of the people are Mayan descendants. Led by Water For People country coordinator, Edgar Fajardo, they maintain an office in Santa Cruz de Quiché.
A typical Guatemalan project includes a protected spring and a gravity-fed water system, including a storage tank, underground distribution system, and tap stands at each household. Water For People also works with partners to construct latrines and is piloting rain catchment systems. In all projects, community members contribute their ideas, labor, and cash, and provide funds for ongoing maintenance. All projects in Guatemala include a hygiene education component.
Water For People works with several Guatemalan partner organizations, including municipal governments and nongovernmental organizations. Consistent with Water For People’s model, partners manage the projects and gain valuable experience and the skills to help them develop future water systems independently.
Working closely with its in-country staff, Water For People has developed an aggressive strategic plan to make a more meaningful impact in meeting the water and sanitation needs in Guatemala in the future.
To find out more about Water For People, please visit their website.
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