The Aldea Agua Escondida community is located on Lake Atitlan in the Western Highland region of Guatemala. In this area 81% of people live in poverty and 40% live in extreme poverty, some of the highest rates in the country. Schools in this rural region are underfunded and often forgotten, and EORM Padre Gregorio Schaffer is no exception. It is located on the less touristy side of the lake, and therefore has not attracted the attention of many donors to improve the school infrastructure. In the past, the community and parents have come together to make small repairs.
The school currently uses a protected spring from a river for their water which is pumped through pipes to the school. The school currently has hand washing stations with running water that are inadequate and need to be rebuilt. The school currently has 10 toilets and 2 urinals in two buildings, but only 7 of the toilets are working for 420 students. Only some of the bathroom facilities are separated by gender and in some cases the toilets are not separated by walls or enclosed by doors. The urinals don’t have water and some of the toilets have to be flushed with buckets of water. Of the three septic tanks, one is causing a bad odor. Several of the toilet facilities need to be remodeled and additional facilities need to be created to meet the needs of the school.
Phase 1: Demolish 3 unused toilet areas. Build 3 female toilet areas, 2 toilet areas and urinal for males, and a handwashing station.
Phase 2: Rebuild a second toilet area with 3 female toilets, 2 toilet areas and urinals for males, a toilet area for teachers, and an additional handwashing station.
H2O for Life partners with experienced NGO organizations around the world that build and support clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education projects in schools. These NGO partners cover half the total cost of every project funded through H2O for Life.
When students raise money for a project, 90% of the funds go directly to the project, and 10% supports the work that makes the project possible. This includes choosing trusted partners, managing funds responsibly, checking on projects, and reporting back so students can see the impact of their work.
This helps ensure every project is done well, stays sustainable, and truly changes lives.
In rare situations, we reserve the right to reallocate funds to alternate project(s).
Questions? Ask us at 651-756-7577 or info@h2oforlifeschools.org.
