Location
Paraxaj, San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Community Description
The people of Paraxaj (pronounced “Para-shock”) live without water in one-room abodes with dirt floors, made of scrap metal. They cook over open fires inside the home. They have no toilets, no showers, and no viable means to change their circumstances.
There are approximately 500 families that live in the community. The people speak the Mayan language Kaqchikel.
Defecation takes place in the open or in the nearby river. This causes many related health problems.
Project Description
This project is to build 25 latrines in the community.
Materials, instruction, and technical support will be provided to each family. Under the supervision of an experienced local mason, each family will proceed to construct its own latrine.
Each of the 25 families has participated in a program whereby they have been taught a range of health-related topics spanning from the different ways to purify water to the importance of keeping the environment clean. The use, construction, and maintenance of latrines are subjects that have also been taught.
The Asociación Civil para el Desarrollo Integral de Guatemala is an integral part of the project. The group will act to ensure the continued use of the latrines.
Project Impact
144 people will directly benefit from the project
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Ryan Walsh
Comments
This project creates sustainable results because it was originated by the community and is being carried out by the participants. It incorporates the necessary training regarding the public health aspects of using the latrines, in addition to the skills needed to construct and maintain them.
Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00
Donations Collected to Date
$500.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has now been fully funded, through the generosity of The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Ryan Walsh of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Ryan and/or those of his counterpart PCVs in Guatemala.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.