This project improves access to potable water and provides access to sanitary facilities for the residents of the three rural communities of Dulce Nombre de Jesus, San Esteban #2 and El Chaguite of the Ciudad Dario region.
Narrative
In Dulce Nombre de Jesus, the well rehabilitation project served the community adequately from September through early December 2004. However the rainy season ends in November, and in a short period of time the well failed. Instead of providing 5 or more 5-gallon buckets of water per day per family, the well’s capacity dropped to only a few buckets per day total. As this amount of water could not be fairly divided among the 90 families who sought water at this rehabilitated well, the community decided to remove the pump from the well to prevent discord and/or damage. They hope for recharge during the rainy season which has just begun (May), and will re-install the pump if the well recovers as expected.
There were extra funds after the projects in Dulce Nombre de Jesus and San Esteban were completed, allowing El Porvenir to also construct the latrines in El Chaguite.
Other Issues
Unusual and unexpected issues faced during project execution
In Dulce Nombre de Jesus, the well was rehabilitated.
In San Esteban, 22 latrines were constructed in the first phase of a project that will leave the town with 44 new latrines total. Three new wells were also made.
In El Chaguite, 11 latrines were built.
Learnings
Knowledge of project and process for sharing
The underlying problem of Dulce Nombre, and of a large number of the rural villages in the DarÃÂo region, is that of a falling water table. This problem can only be resolved by reduction of deforestation and increase in reforestation, and/or by drilling wells into deeper aquifers. El Porvenir does not have the resources or technical expertise to undertake drilled wells, but addresses the problems of forest resources through two ongoing programs: construction of ecofogons to reduce cooking firewood use, and development of village nurseries and protected plantations of seedlings to conserve the microwatersheds around the project villages.
Impact
People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 682
Dulce Nombre de Jesus-90 families, 457 people benefit from the rehabilitated well.
San Esteban-54 families, 225 people benefit from the 3 new wells.
People Getting Sanitation: 730
Dulce Nombre de Jesus-90 families, 457 people. The 39 families who benefit from the latrines are among these 50 families.
San Esteban-54 families, 225 people. The 25 families who benefit from the 22 new latrines are included among these 54 water beneficiary families.
El Chaguite-12 families, 48 people benefit from the 11 new latrines.
