Sustainability

Creating and measuring long-term impact

The community has agreed that each member will pay a quota each month according to the consumption that the water meter reads (minimum 15 córdobas plus consumption over X cubic meters - X to be determined by the committee). This amount will go to the maintenance fund which will be maintained by the treasurer and will be put into a bank account if it reaches 1,500 córdobas (U$82). El Porvenir will assist the community in opening a bank account if necessary. There is no bank in San Lorenzo, the nearest branch bank is in Boaco about 27 km away.

Other Issues

Unusual and unexpected issues faced during project execution

After project construction, water project communities are invited to participate in reforestation and El Bálsamo is no exception. Those who want to do so will develop seedling nurseries in Jan-March 2009, transplant in the rainy season May-June, and maintain the plantations under barbed wire fence and "no burn" protection for three years minimum. Reforestation project includes construction of fuel-saving, smoke-free stoves in the homes of the best reforestation participants (and eventually others). Community health educators will visit all projects after construction to teach hygiene (handwashing for example) and encourage ongoing maintenance and repair of all projects, strengthen local committees, etc. In order to measure the impact of our projects, we collect data several times a year from clinics serving rural districts where we have a high concentration of projects: number of visits due to diarrhea, etc. As the number decreases we feel that hygiene education has been effective. For further information, please review our web site: http://www.elporvenir.org

Impact

People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 145

A water system will be rehabilitated in Bálsamo, San Lorenzo, there are 31 families and 145 people. The water system is so deteriorated though, that the cost of the water system is similar to a new water system.

People Getting Sanitation: 145

29 latrines will be built in Bálsamo, San Lorenzo. In 29 households, there are 31 families and 145 people.

People Getting Other Benefits: 145

All beneficiaries will receive hygiene and sanitary education, training in long term maintenance of projects, and the opportunity to take part in reforestation of microwatersheds in their communities. More details below.