Panama

The combination of the improved spring source and distribution system, together with the rainwater catchment tanks, will give everyone in the community equitable access to potable water.

This project will be implemented by Peace Corps Volunteer Kaitlin Green, in conjunction with the Punta Sirain Water Committee, and the community at large.

Punta Sirain is a small rural indigenous community of 300 inhabitants. It is located on the tip of the Peninsula Valiente, part of the Comarca Ngöbe-Bugle protected lands, on the Caribbean coast of Panama. East of the Bocas del Toro archipelago and lacking roads, busses, or cars, the area is only accessible via a 90-minute boat ride from Chiriquí Grande or a 2-hour boat ride from Isla Colon. The remoteness and difficult accessibility makes the region tricky and expensive to develop, yet rich with natural beauty and culture.

The community has an existing gravity-fed aqueduct system. However, due in part to the topography, it is inadequate in size and scope, leaving most homes without easily-accessible water.

The project will start with the improvement of the aqueduct system to better serve those that are connected.

An existing spring box, presently serves a small portion of the community. It is uncovered, and untreated water flows into loose tap stands.

The spring will be protected, and a treatment chamber will be built. Four cement tap stands will be installed at communal posts, about a half-mile away.

The 40 homes that cannot be served by the aqueduct system will participate in a program to install rainwater catchment systems. All of the homes with zinc roofs, totaling 30, will participate.

The tanks will be industrial-sized manufactured 100-gallon tanks, purchased with project funds. Gutter systems made of PVC will be installed to collect the water. Water will be piped into the kitchens using PVC tubing.

The community will contribute about 1/3 of the project cost, including labor to repair the aqueduct and materials and labor for the construction of the wooden tank stands.

The community will be encouraged to use the communal tap stands as well as the rainwater catchment systems instead of fetching water from unprotected springs and the creek.

The improvements are expected to drastically increase the quantity and quality of the water available in the community, and thereby reduce illness caused by waterborne disease.

The beneficiaries will contribute to the project by investing $5 per drum. Each participating family will be required to attend a workshop regarding water conservation and basic hygiene.

The workshops will be lead by Peace Corps Volunteers and community health promoters. The goal will be to increase knowledge about disease transmission and teach skills to improve household water use and storage.

Skills to be acquired by participants in this project include ownership, managerial leadership, labor and construction planning, volunteerism, education on conservation, disease transmission, and hygiene, as well as maintenance skills.

The implementation of this project will reduce disease, promote overall hygiene and health, give homes individual responsibility for their family’s water supply, and give everyone in the community access to clean water.

The participation of Water Charity in this project has now been funded, through the generosity of Six Senses Resorts & Spas as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.

Any donations using the Donate button below will go toward additional water and sanitation projects in the Panama.

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.

This small community is made up of indigenous subsistence farmers who raise corn, beans rice and coffee. It is a steep 2-hour hike from the nearest road. Currently no latrines exist in the community and people defecate in open pits or in the surrounding hills, creeks and rivers.

This project was chosen by the community members as being of primary importance to the welfare of the village. The community is contributing 57% of the total budget.

The project is being coordinated by Peace Corps Volunteer Andrea Newman.

The latrine design includes a moveable floor. When the latrine is full, the floor can be placed over a new hole, and a tree can be planted over the old hole.

Project sustainability lies in the training the community will receive in both construction techniques and in health issues and disease prevention. Additional training will include latrine use, water treatment, and maintenance.

The participation of Water Charity in this project has now been funded, through the generosity of Six Senses Resorts & Spas as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.

Any donations using the Donate button below will go toward additional water and sanitation projects in Panama.

This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion of this project, CLICK HERE.

Panama is an international business center, and has the largest economy in Central America. However, this community is extremely poor, without resources for basic needs. Presently, the people often defecate in the river, which is also used as a source of drinking water.

This project is being directed by Peace Corps volunteer Kathleen Fraser.

The design of the concrete latrine floor includes handles so that when the latrine fills, the floor and seat can be lifted and used in a new location, hence, its benefits will be reaped for decades.

Project funds will be used for materials for the project.

The community contribution is 46% of the total cost, and consists of labor and transportation of all materials. Supplies are transported from locations an hour away by horseback or on foot.

Community participation is also ensured by charging each family $5 to participate.

The project will serve 160 people.

Throughout the duration of this project, Peace Corps volunteers will give a series of educational seminars to teach participants about the dangers of waterborne illnesses and ways to avoid them. Families that participate will have access to clean latrines, improving the health of their families and the water quality in the community.

This project has now been fully funded through the generosity of Six Senses Resorts & Spas as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Kathleen Fraser of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Kathleen and/or those of her counterpart PCVs in Panama.

This project has been completed. To read about the concusion, CLICK HERE.

The original aqueduct was built in 1985 and consists of a simple spring box, tank, and gravity-fed PVC tube system. Although the pipes were replaced 10 years ago, the system has again deteriorated. In addition, since the community has grown, and there is a greater demand for water, the system must be expanded.

The aqueduct project will first provide for the protection of the water source by reforestation of the land which surrounds it. This will serve to help maintain the water level as well.

Next, metal tubing will be placed over the section of PVC tubing that crosses over the river, to protect the pipe and prevent additional damage.

Finally, the tank will be resealed with a layer of cement and the 23-year-old water valves will be replaced.

For the construction of the 22 latrines, the community will be trained in their construction, maintenance, and use. 20-foot pit latrines will be hand dug at each location. The labor for digging and construction, including building the walls, will be provided by the recipient families.

Project funds will be used for purchasing materials for the roofs and floors of the latrines.

The project will result in the improvement in the health of the members of the community by providing a continuing safe water supply and sanitary facilities to meet their needs.

This project has been fully funded through the generosity of Six Senses Resorts & Spas as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer M. Butterton of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by PCVs in Panama.

This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion of this project, CLICK HERE.