World Water Day 2022

Baja Verapaz is one of Guatemala’s 22 departments and is situated in the northern region of the country. The main source of income for Baja Verapaz’s inhabitants extend to farming (coffee and sugarcane are some of the main crops), raising cattle and other livestock, and handcraft production. In addition to Spanish, the other languages spoken in the area include the Mayan dialects Achi’ and Ki’che.

This project specifically focuses on the village of San Juan, which was once the largest community outside of Salamá, the urban capital of Baja Verapaz. Before its internal conflict and subsequent division into two communities, San Juan was composed of more than 500 families. Currently, there are two villages, of which the new community has self-organized and developed features such as a main paved road, their own sewage treatment plant among other projects. Unfortunately, the remainder of the San Juan community has been abandoned by the local government with regards to development programs

On a national level in Guatemala, only 1% of the municipal wastewater that is produced annually is treated by the local government. Pollution as a result of poor wastewater and sewage treatment infrastructure, such as this, has a direct impact on human health and the environment. As stated per the United Nation’s 6th Sustainable Goal, everyone deserves access to water and sanitation, which is crucial in achieving better quality of life. By offering healthier conditions, the vulnerability of obtaining gastrointestinal diseases will be reduced. In partnership Habitat Canada and Habitat Guatemala have worked to provide 56 families in the San Juan with a personal waste management systems well as better access to water. The project focused on the construction and installation of water treatment systems that break down organic waste through naturally produces gasses before it is discharged to an absorbing well, and eventually filtered before being absorbed in the ground.

Haiti has the lowest rates of access to improved water and sanitation infrastructure in the western hemisphere. Public schools across the country struggle to provide quality school services to children within a healthy environment, and the schools in Simon-Pele are no exception. Most schools are free to attend and the limited financial support they receive is used for teachers’ salaries and some school activities. Due to limited resources, access to quality water and sound sanitation facilities do not exist. For the past three years, Habitat Haiti has implemented a water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program, which provides access to quality hygiene and sanitation facilities and equips children and their families with the knowledge necessary to live healthier lives. Habitat Haiti is committed to continuing to build on its work in Simon-Pele to best serve the community. Access to adequate water and sanitation facilities are key to long lasting development and are considered essential components to basic health services. Sound hygiene practices can prevent infection and the spread of disease within vulnerable populations.

In partnership, Habitat Haiti and Habitat Canada have worked to reduce water-borne and sanitation related diseases through effective provision of safe drinking water and improved sanitation practices for children, their families and the community and to support youth in the community through conflict-resolution and job training. As a result of this partnership, we were able to provide access to safe drinking water, latrines, and handwashing facilities at seven schools. This was accompanied by training on proper hygiene knowledge and practices to over 300 students and 40 teachers throughout the seven schools.