EL SALVADOR

LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL PO BOX 35496 HOUSTON, TX 77235-5496 877.594.4426 WWW.WATER.CC

THE DATA
Population: 6.2 million 13% without access to an improved water source 13% without adequate sanitation services 30% living below the poverty line Life expectancy: 72 years Infant mortality rate: 17 per 1000 live births GNI per capita: $5925 USD
Sources: World Bank, UNICEF, USAID, UNDP, CIA World Factbook Official statistics often understate the extent of water and sanitation problems, sometimes by a large margin. Insufficient resources for monitoring population and/or coverage as well as varying definitions of coverage and access contribute to statistical variability.

THE PROJECT
Project Location: Caserio Las Tablas,Comunidad La Barranca,Sonsonate, El Salvador GPS Coordinates: Latitude 13 41.347 N Longitude 89 46.916 W Population: 100 Report Presented To: West Seattle Christian Church

THE COUNTRY
According to the latest UNDP report, El Salvador is ranked 90th out of 169 countries with comparable data in the United Nations Human Development Index. The nation has made remarkable strides towards political and economic stability since 1992, when a peace treaty was signed ending a 12-year civil war. But much work remains to be done. At least 4 out of every 10 Salvadorans live in conditions of poverty. Although El Salvador has Central Americas third largest economy, development is hindered by major challenges such as high levels of rural poverty, vulnerability to natural disasters, exclusion from basic services and education, and violence. El Salvador also has one of the regions highest homicide rates, with a large percentage attributable to gangs. Economic disparity poses a serious threat to the overall stability of El Salvador. The richest fifth of the population receives 45 percent of the countrys income, while the poorest fifth receive only 5.6 percent. Poverty, which affects mostly the rural sector, has a significant impact on access to adequate nutrition, water, and sanitation. Hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans lack access to clean water and adequate sanitation, making sustainable water and sanitation solutions a vital key to the countrys development. Many families in rural communities still collect water from contaminated rivers or other unprotected groundwater sources.

OUR WORK IN EL SALVADOR

Living Water International began work in El Salvador in March of 1999 after hurricane Mitch struck the coast, leaving thousands displaced and without access to clean water. Since then, more than 370 water projects have been completed. Headquartered in Acajutla, Sonsonate, Living Water El Salvador serves communities along the countrys Pacific coast. Most of Living Waters projects in El Salvador are completed as part of mission trips, where teams travel to drill a well and teach valuable health and hygiene lessons in communities where the water situation is critical. Living Water El Salvador is an accredited NGO in the country, and has been working in the Sonsonate area for the past decade. Living Water will host 40 mission trips to El Salvador in 2012, with hopes of completing even more new wells, rehabs, and inspections in the future. In addition, Living Water El Salvador plans to drill 10 new wells independent of mission trips.

GENERAL INFORMATION
When the team arrived, there was an overwhelming need for water in the community, as residents were utilizing contaminated water form unprotected hand dug wells. Because of the communitys dependence on this contaminated water source, families were suffering from cholera, diarrhea and severe dehydration among other preventable water related illnesses. The LWI El Salvador team was pleased to learn of the communitys use of an open pit latrine as this will help prevent further spread of disease in the area. During the teams stay, community members assisted the team with the water project whenever possible, provided any materials they had available, made meals for the team and guarded the teams equipment. Most community members earn a living by farming and selling what excess produce they have at nearby markets. Many of the women are housewives. The nearest school is located one kilometer away from the community whose students, teachers and administrative personnel all have access to the new, safe water source. Before leaving the community, the team provided community member, Ana De Jimenez, with a LWI El Salvador contact number in case their well were to fall into disrepair, become subject to vandalism or theft.

Caserio Las Tablas,Comunidad La Barranca,Sonsonate, El Salvador Urban Area Las Tablas,Sonsonate Latitude:13 41.347 N Longitude: 89 46.916 W 153 m 50 m 7m 100 mm PVC

TESTIMONY
The LWI El Salvador team had an opportunity to meet with thirty-seven year old community member and teacher, Jose Tomas Diaz, who stated, This well is very important for us since the water from our wells is contaminated, but, thank God and Living Water, we have a very clean water!

CHARACTERISITICS OF THE WELL

Project Details Location Name Type of Location Region/Province/District GPS Coordinates Altitude Total depth Static level Diameter of casing Casing material Screen Pump Type Depth of cylinder Well yield Gravel pack Sanitary seal depth from surface Community Population Start: 43m

Stop: 49 m
India Mark II 18 m 300 liters per minute Yes 8 100

LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL

P.O. BOX 35496

HOUSTON, TX

77235-5496

877.594.4426

WWW.WATER.CC

 WATER QUALITY TEST

Test Results are from Total Dissolved Solids (as per T.D.S meter) : pH: Total Hardness: Nitrate/Nitrites:
Bacteria Test Chlorination LWI test Kit 120 6 0 ppm 2-0 ppm

Coliform Bacteria NOT detected ( Colorless or Light Yellow color) Yes

(It is policy of Living Water International to shock chlorinate water wells at a minimum: after completion of drilling and installation of pump and before use by end users, After the well seal is broken during maintenance or rehabilitation and before use by end users.)

HYGIENE EDUCATION

The Living Well Club taught the following hygiene lessons: Hand washing, how to properly transport and store water, disease transmission and prevention, how to maintain proper care of the pump, as well as signs and symptoms of dehydration and how to make Oral Rehydration Solution. All of these lessons are taught in a participatory method to help community members discover ways to improve their hygiene and sanitation choices, and implement community driven solutions.

EVANGELISM

Before leaving the community, the team shared oral bible stories with community families and distributed 50 Bibles. A community member commented, We are very happy to hear the Word of God and know that the most important part for our lives is God.

LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL

P.O. BOX 35496

HOUSTON, TX

77235-5496

877.594.4426

WWW.WATER.CC

PHOTOS

Previouswatersourceandopenhanddugwellutilizedbytheentirecommunitytohelpmeettheirwaterneeds.

Closeupofplaque.

LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL

P.O. BOX 35496

HOUSTON, TX

77235-5496

877.594.4426

WWW.WATER.CC

 Communitymemberpumpingclean,safedrinkingwater.

WatercommitteememberwhoisresponsibleforhelpingmaintainthewellandwhowasprovidedwithaLWIEl Salvadorcontactnumberincasetheirwellweretofallintodisrepair,becomesubjecttovandalismortheft.

LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL

P.O. BOX 35496

HOUSTON, TX

77235-5496

877.594.4426

WWW.WATER.CC

 Projectinprocess.

Completedwaterprojectaccessiblebytheentirecommunityandwillbeusedtomeettheirmostimmediatewater needs.

LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL

P.O. BOX 35496

HOUSTON, TX

77235-5496

877.594.4426

WWW.WATER.CC

 TheLWIElSalvadorteamhadanopportunitytomeetwiththirtysevenyearoldcommunitymemberandteacher,Jose TomasDiaz,whostated,Thiswellisveryimportantforussincethewaterfromourwellsiscontaminated,but,thank GodandLivingWater,wehaveaverycleanwater!

CommunityservedbyLWIElSalvador.

LIVING WATER INTERNATIONAL

P.O. BOX 35496

HOUSTON, TX

77235-5496

877.594.4426

WWW.WATER.CC