WATER PROJECT IN SAN JORGE LA LAGUNA.

We have been very fortunate to receive funding to be able to supply water connections to more than 19 different households in San Jorge la Laguna. 

San Jorge is a small village on the side of the Mountains overlooking beautiful Lake Atitlan.   It is a very steep, hilly village, and the communal water supply is in the middle of the village. Women and children have to carry numerous heavy loads of water on their head, in plastic containers, daily, up and down the steep trails and pathways.  It is time consuming and back breaking work.   

The last time water was piped into the village was ten years ago.  We had a small window of opportunity this month June 2006, to be able to fund running water to be connected to 19 households.   We did this through generous donations of several people.  The water cost $134.US.for each family.  An impossible amount for these families to pay.  Fortunately, we were able to fund no-interest, long term repayments for these loans. One elderly widow who would not be able to make repayments received her water as a gift.  This opportunity to have water connected will not come again for another five years to San Jorge la Laguna. We were thrilled to be able to help these families live a healthier and better life. 

It is so important for people to have running water, something we take for granted. Without running water people live in unsanitary conditions. Cooking water, Cleaning, dishes, laundry, showers, boiling water for sanitary purposes, toilet water for flushing to name a few everyday uses. Lack of necessary water contributes to so many illnesses.