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CLEAN WATER PROJECTS |
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| The objective is to improve the quantity and quality of water available for both consumption and crop irrigation. | |||||||||||||
| Challenge: Because 60% of all rural water supplies are contaminated and/or inadequate, many Nicaraguans suffer from preventable illness. Farmland in Nicaragua is considered extremely rich, but in the 6 month dry season, almost no crops are grown on small farms due to the lack of water. |
| Approach: Amigos for Christ has teamed up with Food for the Poor and American Nicaraguan Foundation to drill 30 wells a year in Nicaragua. 90% of the sites are chosen by Amigos for Christ. We are able to concentrate on drilling deep, sanitary wells for abundant drinking water and/or for year-round irrigation of crops. |
| Our water projects fall into 3 main areas: |
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| Well Drilling | |
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We believe that every poor family deserves a safe and dignified place to live. Having built over 700 new homes in Nicaragua, we have the expertise to fund, design and engineer a basic three-room home with 500 square feet of living space. Each lot would have space for micro farming. Beneficiary families must invest in sweat equity and civic obligations to be eligible for consideration in a home construction program. |
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| Water Distribution Systems |
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The poor must now carry water in buckets to their homes from distant water sources. Once a central community well is drilled, a water tank can be installed, with an electrical pump and piping capable of distributing water to each shower/latrine and home. |
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| Crop Irrigation |
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In a country where 95% of the farmland is not cultivated during the 6 month dry season. We can use water wells to supply simple irrigation systems that will allow farmers to grow crops year-round. |