Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life.
Nosberto Lou and 4 members of Guatemala Norte Rotary Club joined the Oct 14th Stittsville Rotary meeting by zoom. The topic was their club’s sanitation project to create bathrooms and sewage line connections in the village of Joya Verde, Guatemala, a US $180,000 Global Project. The Rotary Club of Guatemala Norte is a small club of 36 members, but they have accomplished ambitious projects in education, nutrition, health and in social and medical services. Our 5 guests reported on their efforts over a 10 to 12 year period of time to improve the standard of living for 1,200 people in the village of Joya Verde, Guatemala. The project started with the purchase of land and construction of a school with classrooms and washrooms.
When the villagers indicated that their greatest need was a water treatment plant and a sewage system, the Rotary club met the need for water, sanitation and hygiene, an important area of focus for Rotary, and to date 52 bathrooms consisting of a shower, toilet and sink have been constructed at a cost of $1,200 each. Plans for 54 more bathrooms connected to the sewage system are underway. While Rotary supplies the materials, the owners construct their own bathrooms under the supervision of the municipality.
Already there is evidence that these projects are improving the quality of life for the villagers and there is hope for the future. Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.