plan 524 Healthy Schools 2013-1014

Summary

A project to ensure sufficient water for meeting the first goal of Peace Corps Healthy Schools program by building hand washing stations;repairing water systems;and constructing water storage facilities.

Background

The Peace Corps Healthy Schools program has been active since about year 2000. The first goal toward certification as a healthy school by the department of education is to have sufficient hand washing stations and water available to train children to wash their hands before eating and after bathroom use. The schools identified in this project have not met this goal for lack of water and/or physical structures such as wells , storage tanks,pumps,and hand washing stations.

Location

See summary sheet for school names, See summary sheet for department names and GPS locations, Guatemala

Attachments

  • APS--PEE...
  • FRAY_BAR...
  • CHOTZAQU...
  • PACHUCHU...
  • Las_Cami...
  • Potreril...
  • Los_Diaz...
  • XATALBIJ...
  • PACHIMUL...
  • dry_chor...
  • Chuimacu...
  • Chuimacu...
  • La_Canoa...
  • APS--PEE...

Focus

Primary Focus: Hygiene Education
Secondary Focus: Other

People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 0

Several of the schools will be receiving an increased supply of water. All of the schools will benefit by having more water available for hygiene. See summary for details. School are normally multipurpose facilities and are used by communities for public events.

School Children Getting Water: 3,738

Several of the schools will be receiving an increased supply of water. All of the schools will benefit by having more water available for hygiene. All See summary for details.

People Getting Sanitation: 3,738

Many of the schools will have increased water supply /access to provide water for flush toilets, hygiene habit formation, and school cleaning routine. The project will allow for more efficient access to water which will improve sanitation at the schools

People Getting Other Benefits: 3,738

The main focus of the construction activity and the healthy Schools peace Corps volunteers is to improve hygiene practices in the schools by training teachers.

Start Date: 2013-10-01

Completion Date: 2014-10-31

Technology Used:

APS has been working with peace Corps since 2000 to provide facilities mentioned above to create in the school the means to the stated goal of washing hands and thus breaking the cycle of infection.
Aps has proved utility and sustainability of the structures over the last 13 years with projects funded by Peerwater Exchange, Rotary, Global Water, and Save The Children.

Phases:

The first stage of the project is proposed to begin in October 2013 and end in October 2014. The second stage of monitoring the maintenance contract will be done during 2015-2016 as the schools reach Healthy Schools status.

Community Organization:

The Peace Corps volunteers are responsible for organizing the communities in conjunction with APS. The schools will sign a maintenance agreement; a materials donation agreement; and a non-skilled labor agreement.

Government Interaction:

We have found that the best time to involve the local government is from a position of strength. If the project is approved the volunteer, the school committee, and the village committee will approach each mayor for assistance with funding some of the materials.
We have found in the past that mayors usually are not interested in participating or writing agreements unless the NGO (APS) has the funds in hand.
This is the result many previous NGOs promising projects and not preforming.

Ancillary activities:

The Peace Corps volunteers are on school site for extended periods of time. This can last from 2-6 years depending upon the school reaching healthy schools status and being certified as such. The main dynamic is to teach the school teacher and directors in the hygiene process.

Other Issues:

All of the schools in the program have requested the help of the peace Corps in this program and are motivated to improve the hygiene habits of their school children.

The Peace Corps volunteers have identified the schools that are most likely to reach healthy schools status in the next three years provided they have the facilities identified in the summary of of projects.

Maintenance Revenue:

The Peace Corps volunteer PCV) and APS work together to ensure a maintenance program at the school. The school and the parents sign a maintenance agreement before project starts.

Maintenance Cost: $200

Metrics:

APS and Peace Corps presence in the area provides monitoring of the maintenance of the facilities. Funds have been included in the project to allow for the APS Circuit Riders to visit the sites for physical inspection once each year for two years and on call if the PCV needs assistance

Cost: $52,649

See summary sheet

Co Funding Amount:

To be determined by negotiation with local mayors. Typically the mayors contribute when funds are assured for the project.
Any funds remaining in project due to these contributions are used at additional schools.

Community Contribution Amount: $6,551

See summary sheet for details.

Fund Requested: $46,098

Attachments

  • APS--PEE...
  • FRAY_BAR...
  • CHOTZAQU...
  • PACHUCHU...
  • Las_Cami...
  • Potreril...
  • Los_Diaz...
  • XATALBIJ...
  • PACHIMUL...
  • dry_chor...
  • Chuimacu...
  • Chuimacu...
  • La_Canoa...
  • APS--PEE...
  • 2 participants | show more

    Training

    Carolyn Meub of Pure Water for the World

    This looks like a great project that will benefit not only the students but the communities as well. I saw that there will be hygiene training for the teachers. Will there be any training for students or will they be trained by the teachers? Also, is there any training for community members who would be using the facility for other purpose...

    This looks like a great project that will benefit not only the students but the communities as well. I saw that there will be hygiene training for the teachers. Will there be any training for students or will they be trained by the teachers? Also, is there any training for community members who would be using the facility for other purposes? Thanks! Jamin

    • Lynn Roberts of Agua Para La Salud (APLS)

      Hola Carolyn, The main activity of the PCV is to train the teachers so that they get used to being the primary source of inspiration for the children. The PC volunteer participates initially with the teachers to also build their confidence. Informational and training sessions are also held with the parents to reinforce what the child is ...

      Hola Carolyn,
      The main activity of the PCV is to train the teachers so that they get used to being the primary source of inspiration for the children. The PC volunteer participates initially with the teachers to also build their confidence. Informational and training sessions are also held with the parents to reinforce what the child is learning at school.

  • 2 participants | show more

    Partnering on the Project

    Alan Ashbaugh of Water For The Americas

    You mention in the Implementation section that you have partnered with Rotary in the past. What Rotary club in Guatemala did you partner with? Was your partnering a Matching Grant, and if so, which US Rotary club was the sponsoring club? With such a well planned project and already partnering with the Peace Corps, it would seem to me th...

    You mention in the Implementation section that you have partnered with Rotary in the past. What Rotary club in Guatemala did you partner with?
    Was your partnering a Matching Grant, and if so, which US Rotary club was the sponsoring club? With such a well planned project and already partnering with the Peace Corps, it would seem to me that it would be easy to get a new Rotary Global Grant. The smallest of these are $35,000. You may already know, but the Rotary Districts 4250 and 4240 have a yearly Project Fair. The next one is in Antigua, Guatemala next January. A good place to get partners.

    • Lynn Roberts of Agua Para La Salud (APLS)

      The last project we completed was with the Antigua Rotary Club partnering with a Global Grant from the Bartrum Trail , Jacksonville Florida Rotary. According to the Antigua Rotary recently Rotary International required that the Antigua Rotary Club tract the project for three years before allowing them to do another school project; and Ro...

      The last project we completed was with the Antigua Rotary Club partnering with a Global Grant from the Bartrum Trail , Jacksonville Florida Rotary.
      According to the Antigua Rotary recently Rotary International required that the Antigua Rotary Club tract the project for three years before allowing them to do another school project; and Rotary International is now limiting projects to 1 hours drive from their club location. This has seriously limited the Guatemalan Rotary Clubs Guatemala (world?)from working in areas of high need and concentrating their efforts in urban and peri urban locations. Since we and Peace Corps work primarily in rural areas partners are at this point almost impossible to find.

  • 2 participants | show more

    Sustainability

    Paul Kaufman of Aqua Clara International

    The project looks excellent as there is a definite need for Hygiene / Water facilities and education on use and maintenance. It is clear that there have been maintenance issues and planning issues on the existing water systems in the schools you have shown. How does your maintenance agreement work, and what steps are taken to ensure t...

    The project looks excellent as there is a definite need for Hygiene / Water facilities and education on use and maintenance. It is clear that there have been maintenance issues and planning issues on the existing water systems in the schools you have shown.

    How does your maintenance agreement work, and what steps are taken to ensure the same issues won't resurface....especially if and when the Peace Corp volunteers are no longer around, or if APS does not have the funding for the curcuit riders to continue their work?

    Please clarify

    Paul

    • Lynn Roberts of Agua Para La Salud (APLS)

      In the final analysis the maintenance agreements are dependent upon the good will of the teachers, directors and parents committees. These individuals change as years pass and as the teachers are reassigned. There are no government agencies such as we have in the US that govern such facilities such as junior taxing districts that are paid...

      In the final analysis the maintenance agreements are dependent upon the good will of the teachers, directors and parents committees. These individuals change as years pass and as the teachers are reassigned.
      There are no government agencies such as we have in the US that govern such facilities such as junior taxing districts that are paid with tax payer funds to maintain school and other public services.

      The contract was designed through discussions with Peace Corps and the local school authorities which identifies individuals and tasks to maintain the facilities. The construction supervisors and APS Circuit Riders give classes to these individuals at the time of construction. The facilities are designed to have the bare minimum of maintenance issues. All replacement parts are available in the community hardware stores and are no more complicated than devices found in every parent home.
      To reach "Healthy Schools" status the parents and teachers must show a consistent effort to fulfill the contact requirements. The primary objective of this educational activity by Peace Corps is not to create dependence on outside or foreign support , but to create through education a new concept of self reliance by communities and schools to maintain their facilities and improve the health of their children. This will always be limited by the good will and organization of parents. The Peace Corps plans to spend from 2 to 6 years in each school working toward this concept of self reliance and level of hygiene education. You can place the tools in the hands of of people , but you cannot force them to use the tools without a change in attitude and understanding.

    • Paul Kaufman of Aqua Clara International

      Well said Lynn. It takes time for a society to accept new ways of doing things and to instill the value of clean water in people....so i'm glad to hear the peace corps is committed to this for at least 2 years....and even better, 6.

      Well said Lynn. It takes time for a society to accept new ways of doing things and to instill the value of clean water in people....so i'm glad to hear the peace corps is committed to this for at least 2 years....and even better, 6.

  • 3 participants | show more

    Tippy Tap?

    Dipti Vaghela of Team Blue

    It's nice that PCV are involved. Have you heard of this group; they have good material on their website: http://www.tippytap.org/

    It's nice that PCV are involved. Have you heard of this group; they have good material on their website:
    http://www.tippytap.org/

    • Lynn Roberts of Agua Para La Salud (APLS)

      Thank you for the link. We have used this type of structures in the past, we find that they are useful as a temporary method of promoting hand washing while attempts are being made to find more substantial funding for permanent structures.

      Thank you for the link. We have used this type of structures in the past, we find that they are useful as a temporary method of promoting hand washing while attempts are being made to find more substantial funding for permanent structures.

    • Erin Huber of Drink Local. Drink Tap.

      Thanks! We will keep it in mind as a possibility~

      Thanks! We will keep it in mind as a possibility~

    • Erin Huber of Drink Local. Drink Tap.

      Please disregard my last message~

      Please disregard my last message~

  • Rating: 8

    review by Aqua Clara International

    Overall an excellent project. The only area of concern is having the Peace Corps volunteers implement part or all of the program as they are usually quite inexperienced working in a field setting. However, with proper oversight, I imagine this will not be a major issue, especially as APLS has a history of working with them in the past.

    I would recommend funding this project.

  • Rating: 7

    review by Blue Planet Network

    All green from my end.

    However, need to develop detail as to what will be tracked by circuit riders on their annual visits and also what is tracked when the PCV calls for help and is answered.

    Need to track operation, breakdowns, and fixes. The implementation of APLS has been solid, it is time to enhance the M&E.

  • Rating: 8

    review by Pure Water for the World

    This looks like a great project that will benefit not only the students but the communities as well. It is good to see the training that is incorporated and the commitment to the project. Hopefully this will be the first step to allowing these schools participate in the healthy schools program.

  • Rating: 9

    review by Water For The Americas

    Project looks very well organized. Have Peace Corps volunteers working in the communities is a great asset for implementation and sustainability.

  • Rating: 10

    review by Drink Local. Drink Tap.

    With the Peace Corps experience and the obvious need for sanitation, we feel this will succeed in a sustainable way.

  • Rating: 8

    review by International Lifeline Fund

  • Rating: 8

    review by Team Blue

    Since they're able to work with the PC, they'll have a much easier time having consistent presence and ensure the project is maintained to given standards. The fact that they are working in a system that is helping meet government standards, the community is more likely to take responsibility. Seems like a lot of money for washing stations and other improvements but it is for 15 schools and will have a big impact on kids who are easier to train in hygiene at a early age.