This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer George Beane. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to construct a series of public lavanderías (washing basins).
George reports:
I’m happy to report that we’ve completed the public lavanderías project in Guangaje.
The greater part of the work was finished over the course of two days, during which at least one representative of each family in the community helped construct the lavanderías. Teams of builders worked simultaneously at different sites, with the more skilled builders alternating between worksites to ensure that everything was built according to plan.
A week of national holidays earlier this month delayed work slightly, but the finishing touches on the basins were completed by skilled builders last week.
Perhaps the best marker of success is the fact that several members of the community have approached the Junta de Agua, and me personally, requesting public lavanderias for their own areas of town.
The basins that we’ve built will be extremely beneficial to the community and I will be looking for funding sources to supplement the work we’ve already done with lavanderías at the peripheries of town. But assistance from Appropriate Projects, and the success of these lavanderías, should help when we look for help building more basins.
On a personal note, the success of the project so soon after arrival has helped my own credibility in this community, which typically tends to be suspicious of outsiders. As a result, I think working with the community will be easier in the future, which will hopefully mean more projects for Guangaje.
To read some background information about George, his life in Ecuador, and his aspirations, CLICK HERE.
We again wish to thank The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funding for the project.