The Inauguration of a Community Water System in Rural Nicaragua

By Katherine Selchau, PCI Staff

At the elementary school in the community of Loma Alta (located in the northern department of Jinotega, Nicaragua) the community gathered to inaugurate a community water system (made possible by PCI), which is serving 45 families in this isolated community. The water system is a gravity fed system that brings water from a large tank located up the mountain to a water point at the home of each of the 45 families, and then to the school, so that the community will have access to safe, clean water over the next 20 years. The water source was generously donated by a local community member who owns the land in proximity to the source. With the contribution of construction materials and labor, latrines were constructed at each home in the community and families were given training in their proper use and maintenance.

At the ceremony, the Mayor of Pantasma (the local municipality) spoke about the critical problem of deforestation in the region, its negative effect on the protection of water resources, and the need for the community to be vigilant in preventing illegal wood gathering. He also urged the community to advocate for greater support in ensuring the protection of local natural resources in their community and others like theirs. Children read poems and gave dance and theater performances illustrating the importance of water and the protection of natural resources.

Linked to the construction of the water system is education about the proper use, maintenance and management of water, latrines and local resources, as well as improved hygiene and sanitation practices in the household to ensure associated health benefits reach every level of the community. Just inside the school entry a poster describes each instance of proper water use represented by small cartoons on the poster: “Wash your fruits and vegetables.” “Always boil water for drinking at least 5 minutes.” Wash your hands after touching animals, using the bathroom, and before cooking.” It was truly inspiring to witness a seed of change being planted that will affect so many different levels of society in this community for years to come.

A Different World: My Trip to Nicaragua

by Derek Twomey

Two four-hour flights from Los Angeles and I find myself in a different world – a world I couldn’t even believe existed; houses that are mere cubicles, dogs that are skinnier than the cardboard that holds the houses together, families living in these shacks without water and electricity. I was appalled at these living conditions. You see something like this and you cannot help but want to make a change in the world.

I have been fortunate to be involved with an organization, Project Concern International (PCI), which establishes projects in developing countries to give those in need a chance for a better life. In a world full of suffering there must be some sanctuary that can help to shield off the effects of poverty and a way to bring hope to those in need.

While I was in Nicaragua, I saw parents who filled hot stuffy schoolrooms to learn from PCI educators on how to purify their water to avoid disease and keep their children healthy. I heard beneficiaries explain how they were given worms to grow so that they could fertilize the soil and, in turn, teach others in the community how to grow crops more successfully. PCI gave us a tour of the health clinics that they had built so that trained doctors could treat the sick. Many villagers were able to build outhouses and makeshift stoves through the generous support of PCI donors. I was surprised to see how well these small rural communities are organized so that they can work together for a common good.

Through the love of sports, I have found a way to help others, a way that allows young children and teens to find some happiness. With the help of PCI and athletes in my community, this summer I collected and distributed used baseball equipment to the children living in the poverty-stricken villages of Nicaragua. Through the shared love of baseball, I was able to form bonds with these kids and bring smiles to their faces. Though there was a language barrier, there was always the sense of the universal languages of sports and hope.

I have never personally stared into the eyes of starvation, never spent a night shivering on the streets, and never been forced to live a life with a single parent or no parent. I have always had a roof above my head, food on the table, a bed to sleep on, and most importantly, a family who loves me. I have been blessed, and I am grateful.

My family has always taught me an important goal in life – to make the world a better place. Whether it is small acts of kindness or traveling across the globe to third world countries to help make a difference, it all has the same effect. There are those people I see on television, read about in books, or hear about in my community who are involved with creating programs to enhance our world and make it a better place to live. I want to be part of these groups, to do all that I can to create a chain reaction so that no child will have to live in such poor conditions.