Partners in Mission in Guatemala

What a challenge our Guatemalan brothers and sisters face – an increasingly limited supply of fresh water for a growing population in a time of longer and longer dry seasons. But the strong and motivated village leadership is determined to create a new fresh-water collection and distribution system to benefit all residents. The system will be safe, available to all and built to last – ambitious goals but doable with the right support from many sources.

One source, of course, is the St. Anne’s community – all of us! Over more than 30 years, St. Anne’s has been at the forefront of responding to the needs of these Guatemalan Highlands communities and assisting as they achieve their dreams of important infrastructure improvements, most notably vented kitchen stoves and latrines. Local NGOs, proficient in assessment, design and engineering, are already on board to assist and guide. The St. Anne’s PIMIG committee is submitting grants to corporate and private entities to support the Water Infrastructure Development Project – and of course, the villagers themselves provide not only decision-making and guidance but actual labor when the time comes for construction. The project will include not only the new infrastructure – but also training and education about its maintenance and the importance of keeping the surrounding watershed clean as well.

This infrastructure project will be expensive, for sure. At this point, an estimate for the first village, Chujulimul I (2,150 residents), is $250 for each household water spigot. This number will be refined as the project evolves, but just think - $250 for clean water for years to come? Sounds like a bargain in our world! Please consider joining so many other members of St. Anne’s and help this project succeed by making a donation.

Ready to make a gift now to support this wonderful effort? Go to the St. Anne’s website and click on the DONATE button; scroll down to click on Donate using Realm and select in Partners in Mission in Guatemala. Simple! You can also, of course, mail a check to St. Anne’s. Thank you, thank you!