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Irrigation Program
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History of Guatemala Water Projects
So many of us take for granted the fact that we have clean, running water in our homes. This is not the case for most of the families in rural Guatemala. After the first visit of the delegation from the Diocese of Metuchen (2004), it was determined that there would be a commitment made to begin to help with the development of wells and having water brought into people's homes.
Another issue that was identified was the need for irrigation to help prolong and increase the growing season.There are two villages that have been the focus of this work.
2006
Las Flores- A gravity fed water system was installed and it fed forty families through eleven communal spigots in village.
- Three communal latrines were installed
San Antonito- Installed a solar powered domestic water system (exterior spigots) to 25 homes in John Paul II Community of San Antonito and the St. Peter's Clinic.
2009
San Antonito
- Installed an electric agricultural water system (irrigation) and electrical back-up to solar domestic water system for 25 homes in JP-II Community of San Antonito, The purpose was to irrigate adjacent communal field for farming with the plan to get 2-3 planting seasons of varied crops, where only 1 planting season of drought resistant peppers existed prior to this irrigation project.
2019
San Antonito- Drilled a new deep well to replace the old well that dried up
Note: San Antonito, in addition to the 2 water projects, is also the location of one of the SPUH Health Clinic Programs; and a location for the Food for School Scholarship Program for 15 children who received scholarships in 2011 & 2012 (and continuing in 2019).
This community is an example of our attempt to focus on implementing the 4 Partnership priorities of: Health, Education, Food Security, & Family stabilization – concentrated in one community.
There are on-going needs in both of these communities.
2024
San AntonitoThe one well in San Antonito needed some maintenance work done. One of the water tanks is leaking and is to be patched. The well can provide water to the homes and the clinic. Research is being conducted to see if that well could feed an irrigation system in the adjacent field in order to allow for the planting of an additional crop during the dry season.
The second well is inactive, because of the cost to make it operational. It's future is to be determined