Why Water? Why Nicaragua?

January 1, 2013

Help us to ensure the right to water is achieved by all. 2013 is the International Year of Water Cooperation!Contribute to the Nicaragua Water Project

Why Water?

Here are the facts:

  • Every 20 seconds a child dies from water related illness.(source)
  • Approximately 2,000 children die per day from diarrhoeal diseases. Of these deaths 88%, or around 1,800 per day,are due to poor drinking water, lack of sanitation and poor hygiene. Thus, the improvement of access to water is a crucial element in the reduction of under-five mortality and morbidity.(source)
  • Women and children spend millions of hours each year fetching water. That is time that they are unable to spend working at an income-generating job, caring for family members, or attending school.(source)
  • Investment in safe drinking water and sanitation contributes to economic growth. For each $1 invested, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates returns of $3 – $34, depending on the region and technology.(source)

Why Nicaragua?

Here are the facts:

  • Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Americas, second only to Haiti.
  • 50% of the population is without municipally provided and regulated water.
  • The northwest region of Chinandega is a dry, drought-stricken region where people regularly rely on rivers  or old contaminated wells that regularly dry out.
  • Children are hit the hardest. So are their mothers. Girls often don’t go to school because they are responsible for walking long distances to find water.

“Since I can remember we have never had water near our houses, on the contrary the water was always far. In order to drink we had to dig holes in the skirts of the source of water. We had to leave our houses at 11pm or 12pm or 1am in order to get a hold of a hole, but sometimes we found other families doing the same and we had to run to get to the water first“. Dona Maria Davila Ordonez, teacher in Paso Hondo

 

THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO.

The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target is to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015. We are doing our part.

Please join us NOW – 2013 is International year of Water Cooperation!

The Nicaragua Water Project : Our Approach


img_57641dc9ca0beEnvironmental protection + Gender Equality + Community Ownership = Sustainable year round access to safe water

The Nicaragua Water Project trains local Water Committees (including women) to manage the resource and maintain the well; it includes renewable energy sources including solar ovens and solar power.

Since the Nicaragua Water Project began in 2004, over 75,000 people have been impacted. Women and girls have benefited the most.

 

In 2012 a United Nations Equator Prize was awarded to the project for its sustainable community approach to providing year round access to safe water.

 

But we need your help to continue

“My life has changed. I have water in the backyard now; I do not have to go into the bushes to get it. Plus, my family, my neighbors and I are no longer worried about the water being contaminated because we treat it correctly and we keep the well clean and with chlorine. I wash my clothes daily and I keep the house clean“. 15 year old Alexania Quintero Sanchez, La Ceibita

Children’s health and development is at risk today.

Girls like Alexania are unable to go to school an women are unable to contribute to society i ways that could truly help break the cycle of poverty. In these communities, change starts with water.

We need your contribution to do it.

 

Make a difference: Become a Water Champion

We need your help to continue this incredible project and brighten the future for women and children in Nicaragua! There is no time to waste when it comes to water. Your donations can help now.

HELP US CAMPAIGN FOR WATER IN NICARAGUA!

Invite your clients or customers to contribute to support Water Justice in Nicaragua; Devote the sales from a product or an event towards the Nicaragua Water Project; Invite your business clients and suppliers to join you in financing a community water well.

Help spread the world and add this button to your E-signature or website.

Sponsor the Nicaragua Water Project – make a contribution.

Fundraise in your community.

Journey to Nicaragua – See the Impact

Every drop makes a difference
Watch this short video and experience the work, the people and the stories of achieving water as a human right in communities across the northwest region of Nicaragua.

Central America and the Caribbean In The Field Nicaragua Water