Fundraising Event on March 31st, 2011
Please help us raise money to complete the project. Our next fundraising event is scheduled for this Thursday, March 31st, at Cafe Citron in DC. See flyer below for additional information.
Fundraising Event
Please help us raise money to complete the project. Our next fundraising event is scheduled for this Saturday, March 5th, at the Laughing Man Tavern in DC. See flyer below for additional information.
Project Progress
After half a year of hard work by the community of Santa Clara, Phase 1 of the water project is finally complete! The pump has been installed in the well...
the water tank is complete...
and piping has been laid from the tank to the central school.
Now Phase II has begun, where trenches must be dug and piping must be laid across the community to bring water to each household. This is the most exciting and also the most challenging stage of the project, and EWB-DC is still working to raise funds to secure all the materials needed to make sure each house has access to clean water. If you want to help out, you can donate now by clicking here!
the water tank is complete...
and piping has been laid from the tank to the central school.
Now Phase II has begun, where trenches must be dug and piping must be laid across the community to bring water to each household. This is the most exciting and also the most challenging stage of the project, and EWB-DC is still working to raise funds to secure all the materials needed to make sure each house has access to clean water. If you want to help out, you can donate now by clicking here!
Engineers visit Santa Clara May 2010
On May 12, four EWB-DC engineers, Omo, Corrie, Mike, and Angeline, traveled to the Santa Clara project site in El Salvador. The 5-day trip was an important step in project implementation, in which they assessed the progress of construction of the water system, identified challenges EWB-DC had not been aware of previously, discussed challenging design aspects with the local engineer, and met members of the water committee and the community.
On the morning of May 12, Sean, the Peace Corps volunteer in Santa Clara who is overseeing the project and providing correspondence between EWB-DC and the community, met us at the San Salvador airport and filled us in on the status of the project. After a two hour ride from the airport (half on highway and half on bumpy cobblestone and dirt roads), we arrived in the beautiful rural canton of Santa Clara.
The next morning, we awoke around 5:30 am to the rising sun and the sounds of roosters, cats, cows, and children’s voices. After a delicious Salvadorian breakfast, we hiked to the well site and then to the tank site. Though we had participated in design work on these sites, this was the first time we saw them in person. The tank construction had progressed from a brick exterior to a solid concrete tank, and the community was working on building the roof of the tank. We noticed that the water inlet had been routed to the top of the tank rather than the bottom, as specified in the design. This concerned us because the pump control design centered on a tank inlet at the bottom of the tank. Sean set up a meeting with the local engineer, Orlando Luna, and the representative from the pump distributor for the next day so we could discuss this issue and proceed with ordering the water pump.
Our meeting with Orlando was in San Salvador, so we woke up early and took a two hour bus ride into the capitol. About half a mile from the destination, traffic stopped and the bus was offloaded. As we walked the rest of the way towards our destination, we saw black smoke rising from a burning tire in the middle of the highway and people gathered around with signs. It appeared to be a protest for workers rights and against foreign-owned corporations that was blocking all traffic on the highway. (No, not just a street, but the highway.) We walked about a half mile to meet up with Orlando and did our best to avoid the riot police running up and down streets with shields and tear gas.
The meeting with Orlando and the pump distributor representative, Jose Gonzales, was very productive, and we confirmed and ordered the pump and VFD. Additionally, we had a lengthy discussion about the tank inlet and controls. Orlando explained that it was typical in his experience to have the inlet installed at the top of the tank. We explained that this design did not allow for automatic pump controls to be based on water level in the tank as previously designed. We discussed the two options of 1) moving the tank inlet to the bottom of the tank, or 2) using a float valve and timer as an alternative pump control technology. Moving the tank inlet require drilling another hole into the tank, potentially compromising the tank’s structural integrity, so we ultimately agreed that the alternate means of tank control was the best solution to the situation.
The next day, we visited the central school and found grades 1-5 in session. Mike had lugged a huge box of school supplies and a letter all the way from Arizona as a gift from his children’s school, and we hoped to present it to the children and teachers. The Santa Clara teachers had the children line up in front of us, and Sean translated the letter from the school in Arizona, inviting the school in Santa Clara to begin correspondence with the school in AZ. The kids listened patiently and then scrambled back to their classrooms, while trying to get into every picture we were taking.
Now that we are back in the US, we are refining the designs for the next phase of the project and working to raise funds for materials so the community can complete the distribution system and ultimately have a complete, sustainable clean drinking water system.
On the morning of May 12, Sean, the Peace Corps volunteer in Santa Clara who is overseeing the project and providing correspondence between EWB-DC and the community, met us at the San Salvador airport and filled us in on the status of the project. After a two hour ride from the airport (half on highway and half on bumpy cobblestone and dirt roads), we arrived in the beautiful rural canton of Santa Clara.
 |
| Our Santa Clara home for the week |
The next morning, we awoke around 5:30 am to the rising sun and the sounds of roosters, cats, cows, and children’s voices. After a delicious Salvadorian breakfast, we hiked to the well site and then to the tank site. Though we had participated in design work on these sites, this was the first time we saw them in person. The tank construction had progressed from a brick exterior to a solid concrete tank, and the community was working on building the roof of the tank. We noticed that the water inlet had been routed to the top of the tank rather than the bottom, as specified in the design. This concerned us because the pump control design centered on a tank inlet at the bottom of the tank. Sean set up a meeting with the local engineer, Orlando Luna, and the representative from the pump distributor for the next day so we could discuss this issue and proceed with ordering the water pump.
Our meeting with Orlando was in San Salvador, so we woke up early and took a two hour bus ride into the capitol. About half a mile from the destination, traffic stopped and the bus was offloaded. As we walked the rest of the way towards our destination, we saw black smoke rising from a burning tire in the middle of the highway and people gathered around with signs. It appeared to be a protest for workers rights and against foreign-owned corporations that was blocking all traffic on the highway. (No, not just a street, but the highway.) We walked about a half mile to meet up with Orlando and did our best to avoid the riot police running up and down streets with shields and tear gas.
The meeting with Orlando and the pump distributor representative, Jose Gonzales, was very productive, and we confirmed and ordered the pump and VFD. Additionally, we had a lengthy discussion about the tank inlet and controls. Orlando explained that it was typical in his experience to have the inlet installed at the top of the tank. We explained that this design did not allow for automatic pump controls to be based on water level in the tank as previously designed. We discussed the two options of 1) moving the tank inlet to the bottom of the tank, or 2) using a float valve and timer as an alternative pump control technology. Moving the tank inlet require drilling another hole into the tank, potentially compromising the tank’s structural integrity, so we ultimately agreed that the alternate means of tank control was the best solution to the situation.
 |
| Engineers and Sean meet with Orlando |
The next day, we visited the central school and found grades 1-5 in session. Mike had lugged a huge box of school supplies and a letter all the way from Arizona as a gift from his children’s school, and we hoped to present it to the children and teachers. The Santa Clara teachers had the children line up in front of us, and Sean translated the letter from the school in Arizona, inviting the school in Santa Clara to begin correspondence with the school in AZ. The kids listened patiently and then scrambled back to their classrooms, while trying to get into every picture we were taking.
 |
| Some of the children at school |
Now that we are back in the US, we are refining the designs for the next phase of the project and working to raise funds for materials so the community can complete the distribution system and ultimately have a complete, sustainable clean drinking water system.
 |
| Walking the distribution lines with the health promoters |
Project Overview
This post provides a quick overview of our project. Please check out the links to the right for additional info, including our Power Point presentation and the site to donate to the project. Thanks!
Overview
The community of Cantón Santa Clara, El Salvador suffers from water-related illnesses associated with limited access to potable water and poor hygiene practices. Santa Clara (pop. 3,165) is a rural, agricultural community located in Southeastern El Salvador within the region of San Miguel and within the Municipality of San Rafael Oriente.
In 2004 the community reached out to Elizabeth Andrade and the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services about how to improve the health of the village. After an initial assessment, the public health team concluded that improving the water supply and improving key hygiene behaviors would provide the greatest benefit to the community.
Next, they approached the recently formed Engineers Without Borders (EWB) chapter in D.C. who agreed to take on this project and design a water distribution system. This project is the first project pursued by EWB that fully integrates public health and engineering practices and will serve as a model for the national network of EWB chapters.
Many other volunteer groups and organizations have been working together on this project and a detailed list can be seen at the bottom of this post. As of now, the public health program has yielded significant results and the first phase of the water system is under construction. However we still need funding to complete the remaining portion water system and are accepting tax-deductible contributions. Please see the link to donate. The community of Santa Clara has been actively pursuing a clean drinking water system and health program for many years. Together we can help them reach their goal.
Community Ownership and Sustainability
The goal for this project is to bring an improved quality of life to the community of Santa Clara for many years to come. Once installed, the water system and health promotion program will be community owned and operated, and follow-up trainings will be continually provided by GWU and EWB representatives, ANDAR (the local non-profit rural water development agency), Peace Corps Volunteers, and the Salvadoran Ministry of Health. ADESCO (Santa Clara’s Community Development Committee) will collect monthly water fees to financially sustain the health promotion and maintenance and repair of the water system.
The significant community involvement and financial investment in the project along with the democratic processes of ADESCO will insure the social sustainability as well. Most importantly, this project will empower the people of Santa Clara to have more control over the health of their families and over their future, with a lasting impact that is of undeniable benefit and of utmost importance to this community.
Project Partners Include:
(funders/contributors in-kind*)
• *Santa Clara’s ADESCO (Community Development Committee) has been the driving force behind the project, from the initial stages of conceptualization to the current stage of implementation. They will represent the community in their ownership of the resultant water and hygiene project.
• *The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (GWU SPHHS) initiated the relationship with the community of Santa Clara in 2004 by conducting a needs/assets assessment and assembled the partnership in 2005. GWU SPHSS has been the guiding force in developing the project, conducting formative assessments and serving as a community liaison. GWU SPHHS provides training and oversight of the hygiene program.
http://www.gwu.edu/learn/collegesschools/schoolofpublichealthhealthservices
• *Engineers Without Borders-DC Professionals Chapter is the lead technical group working on technical assessment, design and implementation of the water system construction, as well as fundraising. All of the project costs are financed by charitable donations.
• *Engineers Without Borders-Catholic University Student Chapter was instrumental in conducting technical assessments, working on the water system design and constructing a Water/Hygiene Office for project management purposes.
• *Peace Corps has stationed two fantastic volunteers in Santa Clara, Emily Putzer (3 years of service) and Sean Cox (currently in his second year of service). They serve as community liaisons and as a ‘go-to persons’ training community members, managing the hygiene promotion project and empowering residents.
• ANDAR (Salvadoran non-profit for rural water development) - is an association of rural water systems who are the in-country technical partners and oversee construction. They also do community training in the areas of: Operation & Maintenance; Administration, like transparent bookkeeping, end of year income/expense reports & development of user fees; General and state laws governing potable water systems; Protection and conservation of the water source; Empowerment-to encourage leadership as owners of the system; Management of the Water Board (ADESCO), including participatory; democratic decision-making; roles of leadership.
• *Local municipal government of the San Rafael Oriente provides tools and financial support for the project.
• *Salvadoran Ministry of Health (MOH) has assisted with initial assessments, water testing, provides additional training, and an MOH health promoter, Josefa Jurado, oversees the hygiene promotion project.
http://www.mspas.gob.sv
• *Colgate-Palmolive and the American Public Health Association (APHA) funded the start-up costs for the hygiene promotion project.
http://www.apha.org
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/HomePage.cvsp
• *Rotary, last but not least! is the primary sponsor of the water system. The Rotary Club-Glen Burnie has coordinated fundraising effort and they have partnered with Rotary Club-Chaparrastique in El Salvador.
http://www.rotary.org/
The community of Cantón Santa Clara, El Salvador suffers from water-related illnesses associated with limited access to potable water and poor hygiene practices. Santa Clara (pop. 3,165) is a rural, agricultural community located in Southeastern El Salvador within the region of San Miguel and within the Municipality of San Rafael Oriente.
In 2004 the community reached out to Elizabeth Andrade and the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services about how to improve the health of the village. After an initial assessment, the public health team concluded that improving the water supply and improving key hygiene behaviors would provide the greatest benefit to the community.
Next, they approached the recently formed Engineers Without Borders (EWB) chapter in D.C. who agreed to take on this project and design a water distribution system. This project is the first project pursued by EWB that fully integrates public health and engineering practices and will serve as a model for the national network of EWB chapters.
Many other volunteer groups and organizations have been working together on this project and a detailed list can be seen at the bottom of this post. As of now, the public health program has yielded significant results and the first phase of the water system is under construction. However we still need funding to complete the remaining portion water system and are accepting tax-deductible contributions. Please see the link to donate. The community of Santa Clara has been actively pursuing a clean drinking water system and health program for many years. Together we can help them reach their goal.
Community Ownership and Sustainability
The goal for this project is to bring an improved quality of life to the community of Santa Clara for many years to come. Once installed, the water system and health promotion program will be community owned and operated, and follow-up trainings will be continually provided by GWU and EWB representatives, ANDAR (the local non-profit rural water development agency), Peace Corps Volunteers, and the Salvadoran Ministry of Health. ADESCO (Santa Clara’s Community Development Committee) will collect monthly water fees to financially sustain the health promotion and maintenance and repair of the water system.
The significant community involvement and financial investment in the project along with the democratic processes of ADESCO will insure the social sustainability as well. Most importantly, this project will empower the people of Santa Clara to have more control over the health of their families and over their future, with a lasting impact that is of undeniable benefit and of utmost importance to this community.
Project Partners Include:
(funders/contributors in-kind*)
• *Santa Clara’s ADESCO (Community Development Committee) has been the driving force behind the project, from the initial stages of conceptualization to the current stage of implementation. They will represent the community in their ownership of the resultant water and hygiene project.
• *The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (GWU SPHHS) initiated the relationship with the community of Santa Clara in 2004 by conducting a needs/assets assessment and assembled the partnership in 2005. GWU SPHSS has been the guiding force in developing the project, conducting formative assessments and serving as a community liaison. GWU SPHHS provides training and oversight of the hygiene program.
http://www.gwu.edu/learn/collegesschools/schoolofpublichealthhealthservices
• *Engineers Without Borders-DC Professionals Chapter is the lead technical group working on technical assessment, design and implementation of the water system construction, as well as fundraising. All of the project costs are financed by charitable donations.
• *Engineers Without Borders-Catholic University Student Chapter was instrumental in conducting technical assessments, working on the water system design and constructing a Water/Hygiene Office for project management purposes.
• *Peace Corps has stationed two fantastic volunteers in Santa Clara, Emily Putzer (3 years of service) and Sean Cox (currently in his second year of service). They serve as community liaisons and as a ‘go-to persons’ training community members, managing the hygiene promotion project and empowering residents.
• ANDAR (Salvadoran non-profit for rural water development) - is an association of rural water systems who are the in-country technical partners and oversee construction. They also do community training in the areas of: Operation & Maintenance; Administration, like transparent bookkeeping, end of year income/expense reports & development of user fees; General and state laws governing potable water systems; Protection and conservation of the water source; Empowerment-to encourage leadership as owners of the system; Management of the Water Board (ADESCO), including participatory; democratic decision-making; roles of leadership.
• *Local municipal government of the San Rafael Oriente provides tools and financial support for the project.
• *Salvadoran Ministry of Health (MOH) has assisted with initial assessments, water testing, provides additional training, and an MOH health promoter, Josefa Jurado, oversees the hygiene promotion project.
http://www.mspas.gob.sv
• *Colgate-Palmolive and the American Public Health Association (APHA) funded the start-up costs for the hygiene promotion project.
http://www.apha.org
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/HomePage.cvsp
• *Rotary, last but not least! is the primary sponsor of the water system. The Rotary Club-Glen Burnie has coordinated fundraising effort and they have partnered with Rotary Club-Chaparrastique in El Salvador.
http://www.rotary.org/
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