Location
Zaragoza, Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Community Description
Rincón Grande is a small indigenous community located in the central region of Guatemala. The population is approximately 1,600 people. Many people in the community work in agriculture. It is known by the surrounding communities for its strawberries, but other crops include corn, beans, and squash.
The people of the community speak Spanish and Kaqchikel, the Mayan language of the region. Some of the parents of the students are illiterate but as times are changing there is now more opportunity for education.
In 2010 the Jr. High was expanded with support from the community and the municipality. As a small community the parents of the students feel invested in the needs of the school and work together to improve it.
E.O.R.M. Rincón Grande is the primary school in the village of Rincón Grande. The school participates in the Healthy Schools program, and with the program the students receive lessons on health (hygiene, nutrition, environment, and human body) twice a week and practice healthy habits daily. The school currently only has 3 faucets for 200 students to use for washing hands and brushing teeth.
Project Description
This project is to build a sink with 10 faucets so that the children may practice good hygiene while at school. The sink will be one large cement unit against a classroom wall, about 4 meters from the bathrooms.
The school has water from the community, which utilizes water from a natural spring. There is water 24/7, so there is no need for a water storage tank. The handwashing station will be connected to the community drainage and sewage treatment system.
Skilled labor will be provided by the mayor free of charge. His laborers have done a very similar project in the past and therefore are familiar with the design and the needs of the project. Unskilled labor will be provided by the families of the students.
Project funds will be used for materials and transport. Materials will be purchased in the main town of Zaragoza, as the village has no hardware store.
Materials will include cinderblock, iron bars and cement for the basic structure and a variety of PVC pipes, hoses, faucets and drain pieces for the plumbing, as well as gravel and cement to level/reinforce the ground under the structure.
Project Impact
200 students and 7 teachers will benefit from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Carolyn Vopelak
Comments
The construction of the handwashing station will promote healthy habits, and thereby improve dental health and reduce the incidence of gastro-intestinal disease. The project builds upon the existing infrastructure, and incorporates the support of the municipality and the community.
Dollar Amount of Project
$550.00
Donations Collected to Date
$550.00
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 Carolyn of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by the PCV and/or other projects in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.