(The following essay describes the photos shown in the Graphic Version. Click here to view the photos.)

Photo Essay
By: Fabiola Palma Photographer: Sean Sprague

Location: Honduras

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
Honduras is a mountainous country with fairly low population density and water is not in short supply. The Copán River flows along the valley where Agua Caliente, a village of 150 households, with a population of 775, is situated. Although this river is slightly polluted from washing and from some chemical run-off, it is still reasonably pure. Along with the rich tropical vegetation, it is part of the natural beauty that attracts visitors to the area.

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
Agua Caliente is noted for its natural springs that gush hot water into the nearby river and a swimming pool for tourists. Despite this surprising abundance of water, local residents had endured an erratic, unsafe supply until APP became involved. With manpower supplied by the local water committee, an impressive 16,000 gallon tank was constructed on a hill above the village.

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
An APP engineer (baseball cap) teaches Agua Caliente’s water committee about maintenance, including the correct amount of chlorine to make the water safe and how to test the chlorine content weekly. A small fee charged to each household pays for chemicals and equipment. The system is designed to last at least 20 years.

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
For children, turning on the tap at home is still a novelty.

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
Thanks to new water system in Agua Caliente, this family has a constant supply of safe drinking water in a tank from which they ladle out what they need for washing, cooking and drinking.

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
The newly installed system supplying fresh, safe drinking water has greatly improved the health and potential lifespan of Agua Caliente residents, who before might have suffered from water-borne diseases and parasites. It also frees them from the stress of waiting for erratic service from an antiquated system and the daily drudgery of carrying water great distances from a well or spring to their homes.

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
Santa Rosita now has a tank similar to the one in Agua Caliente, about 20 miles away, allowing this woman to fetch water from her own private tap a mere 10 feet from her house.

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
The APP engineer uses flip charts to explain to members of the Santa Rosita water committee the technology for processing and delivering safe drinking water. He also provides information on nutrition, preventive health care, building latrines and other topics. Committee members, all landless campesinos, work on a nearby hacienda. The landowner had never provided safe water and was happy that APP offered to build a system for the community.

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
A woman and her son approach their home in Los Arcos after a steep trudge uphill carrying the family’s drinking water from a spring in the valley below, which must be done several times a day. APP is negotiating with Los Arcos the installation of a new water system similar to Agua Caliente’s and Santa Rosita’s. Los Arcos campesinos live on a large estate and work for one to two dollars a day.

Agua Para el Pueblo (APP)
Antonio enjoys a bath, thanks to Agua Caliente’s new water system.

Learn more about IAF-supported projects in the next issue of Grassroots Development.