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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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