Katie Bovitz, Volunteer in Paraje El Zapote

Katie Bovitz is a Peace Corps Volunteer, serving in Paraje El Zapote, Pachilip in the Municipality of Joyabaj, Department of Quiche, Guatemala. She is serving under a 9 month extension to her original Peace Corps commitment of two years.

Katie will be leaving Guatemala in April, and asked if we could fund a last project she wanted to do before she left. After reviewing her proposal, we committed to the project, within her timetable. We told her to start acquiring the materials, as the funds are on their way.

In 2008, Katie raised money to build a two-room elementary schoolhouse in the village of El Zapote. The school is currently under construction and is scheduled to be finished by the end of April. She needed the funds for the latrines and hand washing station for the school.

The project falls directly within our purview of water and sanitation. We are providing the resources that enable the completion of the school.

There are 47 families in the village of El Zapote, and 51 school-aged children who will directly benefit from this project.

Katie says: “There will be a set of 4 latrines constructed of cement block (like the schoolhouse) with simple concrete toilet seats, and a paved floor. The hand washing station will be an elevated water deposit with 8 taps, constructed of block and concrete.”

We will keep you informed on the progress of the project. If you believe that this project has merit, send us a donation. Your funds will be used to complete it, and to undertake others like it.

To read the update on Katie B’s School Project, CLICK HERE.

Update on Katie B’s School Project

Katie is getting ready to complete her extended Peace Corps tour the end of April, and the she still needs to finish the handwashing stations and latrines for the school. The school will then be certified as a Safe School, under a program run by the Guatemalan government.

Katie was getting so anxious to move things along, she actually started to buy the materials from the hardware store on credit!

Yesterday, we gave a presentation before the Crestline-Lake Gregory Rotary Club, and they immediately made a generous donation to Katie B’s School Project. I promised we’ll put a plaque on one of the latrines.

Water Charity was so anxious to get the remaining funds to Guatemala in a hurry, we decided to fund the balance ourselves. We mailed the check today. We want to thank our local Postmaster, Jeri-Lynn Miller, both for inviting us to speak at the Rotary Club meeting, and for making sure the check arrives quickly.

To read the background information on Katie B’s School Project, click HERE.

This project has been successfully completed by Peace Corps Volunteer Katie Bovitz, through the generosity of the Rotary Club of Crestline.