Majada Verde is in an aldea located 20 km outside of Talanga with approximately 162 houses totaling 966 habitants. The aldea currently has no access to basic municipal facilities. The water sources are limited and unsanitary. The wells within the community dry out during the summer months, leaving many families without water to drink or wash. Individuals consistently suffer from water borne illnesses such as diarrhea, parasites, and skin rashes from both drinking and bathing in unsanitary water. This is a key contributing factor to the country’s high infant mortality rate and to a relatively low life expectancy rate. Infectious and parasitic diseases as well as gastroenitis are serious problems.
This is compounded by the fact that with no immediate access to a health center, inhabitants consistently live with compromised health. Access to safe, potable water will greatly improve the quality of life of residents of Majada Verde, increase awareness of public health issues, and reduce health related problems due to poor sanitation facilities.
The Passionist Volunteers initiated the water project through grant writing to various organizations. With the arrival of funds from Food for the Poor, PVI became the supervisor of funds for building the project. This entails buying raw materials with the engineer of the project and assisting in the building of both parts of the project with community members. This project will be realized in two phases. The first part of the project entails the creation of the dam at the water source, the conduction line to channel water, and the water tank to sanitize. The second part of the project involves installing the distribution line to distribute the water from the tank to 162 houses within the aldea. Collaboration with Food for the Poor and CePudo will ensure that the remainder of the project is completed after PVI leaves Honduras.
Volunteer Highlights
- The PVI Volunteers have successfully obtained over 20,000 dollars in funds from a grant from Food For the Poor to complete a potable water Project for Majada Verde.
- In collaboration with the local community and a Honduran technician the project is expected to be complete in three months.
- •he PVI Volunteers will oversee the disbursement of the grant funds and monitor the progress of the project while they are in Honduras. When the volunteers leave the Passionist Supervisor, Oscar Raudales, will oversee project completion.
- The project will distribute clean water to 162 houses. We estimate that the project will impact approximately 966 residents.
