This last week we were in two very different communities. While there I met two children that caught my attention. I would like to share their stories with you:
Xiomara of Las Crucitas ( 13° 56' 12.9"N, 86° 45' 3.1"W)
Xiomara lives in the community of Las Crucitas about 60km outside of Danlí. Her village has no electricity and it's water source is from an open stream piped in from a mile away. Because her house is higher up she usually doesn't have water for most of the day, so she has to walk to her neighbor's house in the valley to fetch water with her mom. Speaking with her mother, I learn that Xiomara and her four sisters regularly have stomach problems and have never been de-wormed. The mother is very excited that her children will now have clean water and soon receive medication for their parasites. Xiomara most likely has them because of her distended stomach, a typical symptom. In a community such as Las Crucitas the children usually have an average infection rate of about 70%. This explains the overwhelming response of people who want/need these water filters. Even though their $7.50 counterpart is a week's wages, they understand the need for clean water and are willing to pay that small portion of the true $75 cost.
Pure Water for the World just installed 140 filters in Las Crucitas with the help of Hands to Honduras. This is a group of Rotarians and their families that donate their time for a week or two and travel to Honduras to work on existing projects. This year there were over 50 people in 4 different groups trying to help with water, medical, dental, and construction. In the water group, there were some people who have done this for six years running and are still moved by their experience each time. For me, it was refreshing to watch so many people so excited about helping. Two people in particular went back to a community they had worked in two years ago. On the road in they met a little boy they remembered from last time. They went to his house to see the filter they had installed and see his family. The filter was still proudly being used as well as the other houses they went to. Speaking with the Rotarians after, they said it was this little day trip that made their vacation. They can't wait to come back next year and visit Xiomara in Las Crucitas.
Úani of 15 de Septembre ( 15° 47' 11.9"N, 87° 25' 57.9"W)
Úani means Soul or Spirit and he lives in the squatter town of 15 de Septembre outside of Tela. The area was originally set up as a location for temporary housing after Hurricane Mitch. It has since grown into a full fledged community of 300+ houses with no central planning. The water system was built in 1949 and was intended to only serve urban area of the city. Speaking with the local health clinic, we learned this peri-urban area has the worst cases of water related problems in the whole state of Atlantida. It is worrying to think that another 200 houses will be built in the next two years as the more scenic coastlines are developed by hotels and the people are re-settled here. Úani lives in the house behind him with his mother, father and two sisters and fetch their water from an open cistern down the street. Úani and his sister were the first kids in Honduras to give Rasa a hug without being asked for one. This is truly a community in need.
The purpose of our visit was to identify communities for a new Rotary Matching Grant in partnership with the local club of Tela. The advantage of working in 15 de Septembre is that Pure Water for the World's workshop in San Juan (50km away) can supply the filters and also be delivered using our truck. Both of these items are huge upstart costs for projects and will allow this grant to supply even more filters to families. Another advantage is that being so close to Tela, the money saved from not having to see a doctor or purchase bottled water can now be used to advance the socio-economic standing of Úani's family. Maybe one day his family can pay to send him to school, or buy nice clothes that get him a better job. But for a family who lost everything, clean water is a gift that will improve their future and allow them to rebuild their lives on a healthy foundation. I just hope Úani doesn't cut his hair as he grows up.
Please email me if you would like any more information about Xiomara or Úani or the communities where they live.
Robert J Kent Jr- robjkentjr@gmail.com
Wat/San/Health Consultant
http://www.purewaterfortheworld.blogspot.com/
http://www.RobJKentJr.blogspot.com
Cell: +504 871-5318
Work/Home: +1 (631) 458-1119
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