Santa Catarina Water Sanitation Campaign

This project will help to increase the proper sanitation infrastructure for the communities of Tzanjuyub, Pasachuach, and Xeabaj II. These communities have recently been forced to relocate to the top of a mountain range, which created a need for harvesting rainwater. Being relocated also revealed a need for a water sanitation program due to having less access to fresh water at a higher elevation.

These communities must harvest rainwater to be able to wash their dishes and clothing, which requires traveling up and down a hill many times per day. We hope to install community sinks in the village, improving the health outcomes for women in these areas drastically.

Their geographic accessibility and climate challenges make these projects difficult. The sanitation system helps 48 families, which is approximately 400 people. The system does not need electricity or a fuel source and technology can be maintained over generations. Our goal is $220,000 and we will be looking for civic organizations/churches to join this effort.

To better understand the area’s needs, HSP has funded a topographic study to better understand the area’s ability for sanitation development, as well as soil strength and elevation. This study has allowed us to better assess the specifics of the system, which is now under development. We plan on developing this sanitation system as our funding allows, beginning with implementing the first water processing tank, a vital piece of the overall sewage system.

For now, we remain optimistic that our efforts will reach fruition. Thank you for supporting the work we do.

• Topographic Study (PDF)