Nicaragua: El Porvenir

SELF-SUSTAINING CLEAN WATER

Originating in the 1980s during the United Nation's International Drinking Water Decade, El Porvenir, a Nicaraguan organization, exists to improve the standards of living for poor people in Nicaragua. They accomplish this through sustainable self-help water, sanitation, and reforestation projects and have completed over 600 projects and helped over 70,000 people since their inception.

All of these projects are initiated at the community level in rural villages and are designed to involve the villagers in all aspects of the project and use locally available materials. There is also a special focus placed on transferring skills to the villagers so that they will be self-sustaining in the future and able to repair and maintain the equipment.

In 2007, Pura Vida initiated a $45,000 project with El Porvenir to provide clean water and sanitation to six villages in Nicaragua; La Pita, Nueva Espana, Cerro Colorado, El Cinco, Hoja Chigue and San Fernando. Without consistent access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities, these families are destined to struggle with disease. This project was able to impact 161 families, over 800 people. The project provided wells, gravity based water systems as well as latrines for each family. Our commitment of less than $60 per person is providing a long-term solution for these communities.

"There has been a huge impact in the development of us living better because we have been taught different things…because the children and animals aren't getting as sick as they use to." – Blanco, Father & Resident of Cerro Colorado

"We don't have to go to the river and drink that contaminated water. Now we are drinking water that is healthier for us and the children. Before the kids would be throwing up, getting diarrhea, having problems with their stomachs and now they don't have that anymore. This has been one of the great benefits." – Maria, Grandmother & Resident of Nueva Espana

In 2008, Pura Vida is continuing to work with El Porvenir by committing $30,000 on a similar project that will bring clean water and latrines to another 816 people in three rural villages; Chagüite, Masapia, and La Flor. The people of these communities struggle to manage disease and have a strong desire to move forward. This project, costing less than $40/person, will bring clean water and lessen the issues of disease for all 816 people, giving them more time and resources to put towards strengthening their community.

Learn more about our partner, El Porvenir