Project Rundown

In May, we’ll have been living in Trinidad, Santa Bárbara for one year.  There have been many work-related and personal highs and lows, but we both agree that this has been a highpoint in our lives that has helped us grow individually and as a couple.  While there are a lot of topics that we could discuss as we approach our one-year, in-site anniversary, this post will focus on the projects we have been and are continuing to work on as well as the counterparts (US and Honduran) that we are working with.

Before I get into our project work, I’d like to discuss a FAQ that many people have asked either us or our families.  Many people assume that Peace Corps gives volunteers funding to do projects.  This is a misconception.  There are a few grants that volunteers can apply for through PC, but they are highly competitive and typically for small amounts of money.  By and large, volunteers work on projects that are funded by government agencies (international and Honduran), local governments, NGOs, and other organizations like medical brigades.  PC more or less trains us to be community development workers but doesn’t really give us physical resources like money or transportation to do this type of work.  A volunteer must form relationships with entities like the ones listed above and support and strengthen the projects of those entities while encouraging those entities to support projects that interest the volunteer.

Here are the projects that Kristi and I have cooking as well as the organizations or agencies that we are working with:

Project: La Fragosa – Potable Water Filters and Combined Treatment Unit with Community Education

Counterpart(s): Agua y Desarrollo Comunitario; International Rural Water Association; Municipality of Petoa; Patronato, Junta Administrativa de Agua y Saneamiento, Comité de Salud of La Fragosa

Description: Ceramic water filters were sold by the JAAS to families for treating water for drinking and cooking.  CTU was installed at the community school so that the students would have access to potable water while at school.  PCVs are providing ongoing community education to students, community organizations, and community members about potable water, health, hygiene, sanitation, and maintenance of the filters and CTUs.

Status: Filters and CTU installed.  Community education and project monitoring are underway.

______________________________

Project: La Fragosa – Potable Water System, Pilas, and Latrines

Counterpart(s): Engineers without Borders (Lehigh University); Agua y Desarrollo Comunitario; Patronato, Junta Administrativa de Agua y Saneamiento, Comité de Salud of La Fragosa

Description: Project will bring a permanent potable water system to the community along with pilas (for in-home water storage) and latrines to improve the overall health and sanitation of the community.

Status: Project pending on approval by EWB-USA board.

______________________________

Project: Point-1 Water Filters for Community Schools

Counterpart(s): Honduran Red Cross; Episcopal Medical Brigade

Description: Micro-pore filters donated by the medical brigade are being implemented in community schools by Red Cross promoters.  Promoters are also providing an educational charla to the students about water and sanitation

Status: Several filters have been implemented.  Promoters continue to plan effective implementation strategies and charlas (prerequisite to being given a filter for implementation).

Red Cross Promoter (in red) with her community school

______________________________

Project: Tulito Water System Improvements

Counterpart(s): Water for People; Junta de Agua of Tulito

Description: Community has lost rights to tank and portion of their existing system.  PCVs are preparing studies, designs, and reports for WFP so that the organization can fund and implement the water system improvements.  The project also includes several upgrades to the existing system to increase its function.

Status: PCVs are preparing the design and report.

______________________________

Project: Training of Municipal Workers on Water Related Topics

Counterpart(s): Consejo Regional Abmiental (mancomunidad); Municipalities of Trinidad, Petoa, Concepcion Norte, San Marcos, Chinda, San Luis

Description: Technical workers within the various municipalities are being trained on topics such as chlorination, calculating potable water demands, and water system maintenance.

Status: First training has been delivered.

______________________________

Project: Sustainable Water Treatment Plants

Counterpart(s): Agua Para El Pueblo; Agua Clara (Cornell University); Municipalities of Atíma, Santa Bárbara and Gracias, Lempira

Description: PCV is providing assistance with topographic surveying and other technical needs as they arise during design and construction.

Status: Topographic site survey completed for Atíma.  Survey for Gracias scheduled for May.

Construction underway (typical APP water treatment plant)

______________________________

Project: Strengthening of the Municipal Women’s Group

Counterpart(s): Oficina Municipal de la Mujer; Municipality of Trinidad

Description: PCV is working with the women’s group to strengthen the function of the group by covering topics such as goal-setting, stress management, and community outreach.

Status: Ongoing

______________________________

These are the projects that we have underway.  Several are near completion or involve a diminished involvement by Kristi and me.  We have been incredibly busy with these projects since our trip back home over Christmas.  We’ll be taking a few days off for vacation this month and return ready to keep rolling with the above projects as well as beginning a few new projects!