Affiliates Grant Makes a Difference
New Orleans Affiliate Matt Rousso reported to the Grant committee on The Water Filter Project in Esquipulas, Guatemala, begun in November 2022, that enabled the New Orleans Affiliates to purchase 120 filters and to begin installing them in homes.
PHASE 1: Two Guatemalan La Cadena mission partners, Helen Miguel Perez and Luvia Morales, began the project by first installing the water filters in their own homes, using the filters to fill up their five-gallon buckets several times each week. For the next year, the two leaders continually educated residents about the potential positive impact of the water filters and shared with residents how the water filters were so beneficial. Thus, community members would trust in the process and believe that the filters would positively impact their lives.
When Matt and his team visited Ciracil and Las Lomas de Santa Ana in Esquipulas in July of 2022, twenty or so residents expressed interest in receiving a filter for their homes.
Helen Miguel Perez shared, “Before we got the filter, our stomachs always hurt. Since we installed the filter, the stomach pains have stopped and we’re feeling a lot better. We are so relieved not to be drinking and using water with parasites and other contaminants in it. Also, I have been using the filtered water to make a healthy drink for the children’s weekly food distribution, saving program money.”
PHASE 2: In the spring and summer of 2023, more interested families were invited to apply for a filter. Criteria to be considered for acceptance included: number of children and/or elderly in a household; amount of income and resources; health needs, and primary source of water (river, rain barrels or city). Eighteen families were chosen to receive a water filter in November 2023, each agreeing to use the filter responsibly, not to sell it, and to purchase a five-gallon bucket.
Luvia, Rick Treuting, and Matt Rousso demonstrate.
First the participants learned how to clean the filter. Then two-member teams from the delegation accompanied participants to their homes to help them install the filter. Participants had prepared a flat space on a table of adequate height and space for the bucket. The volunteers helped to install the filter and reminded the family how to use it and to clean it weekly.
Matt and Luvia conducted the same process in the community of Las Lomas de Santa Ana. A woman from Las Lomas told them, “I am so grateful to you and to God for this water filter. It will help me and my family feel better and not get skin rashes or bad illnesses such as cholera. Also, I am happy that I can use the money saved by not having to buy water and instead I can buy medicine or food.”
Local mission partner Luvia Morales said, “I use the water filter often, for my family and for our weekly food and drink distribution in Las Lomas. I am grateful for this opportunity to improve the health of my community.”
PHASE 3: Onsite mission partners Luvia and Helen planned to conduct a follow-up visit with each of the 18 recipients at least twice in the weeks following the filter distribution to make sure they were properly using and regularly cleaning the filter. They would also ask recipients how the filter was positively impacting their lives.
Another 41 filters will be distributed by Luvia in Las Lomas, and 21 by Helen in Ciracil. Seminarians will distribute the remaining filters in 2024 during their mission Immersion programs.
Matt and Helen enjoy the fruits of their labors.
IMPACT: Providing water filters to 120 of the approximately 700 households in these two communities will positively impact the health First the participants learned how to clean the filter. Then two-member teams from the delegation accompanied participants to their homes to help them install the filter. Participants had prepared a flat space on a table of adequate height and space for the bucket. The volunteers helped to install the filter and reminded the family how to use it and to clean it weekly.
Matt and Luvia conducted the same process in the community of Las Lomas de Santa Ana. A woman from Las Lomas told them, “I am so grateful to you and to God for this water filter. It will help me and my family feel better and not get skin rashes or bad illnesses such as cholera. Also, I am happy that I can use the money saved by not having to buy water and instead I can buy medicine or food.”and income of about 20% of the population, at a cost of approximately $30 per household. The La Cadena program wants to install even more filters, using donations it hopes to receive during the coming months.
Delegate Affiliates Reflect ON WATER FILTER PROJECT
Matt Rousso: I remember visiting one lady and asking her for a glass of water with which I could bless her, her children and her home. When she told me, “I do not have even a drop of water in my house,” I was literally startled.
Rick Treuting: Back home, we take for granted the delight of fresh, clean flowing water. In Esquipulas, it is a rare gift. … To meet families who have not had clean water in their home has made a great impact on me which will stay with me for a long while.
Vicki Judice: I believe this project is transformational and will really positively change the lives of the families participating in it.”
Brian Comboy: For me, as an Affiliate, this experience was the fulfillment of the Maryknoll missionary within me—the opportunity to bring the love of Christ Jesus to my brothers and sisters in need, the opportunity to be a manifestation of the Corporal Acts of Mercy
This article first appeared in the January/February 2024 Not So Far Afield.