San Cristobal Water Project in Full Steam

A small recently established mission school supported by the United Church of Bayridge, Brooklyn, in need of potable water is expected, with the help of Hermandad & Fund For The Poor Inc., to have its water system by early in 2006.The church provided seed funds for the feasibility study and Fund for the Poor, resources for the system. Tap stands will also provide water for nearby families in the vicinity of the school.

Sabana San Juan Water Project Uses NASA Technology

WATSECO, a US based company has donated to the village of Sabana San Juan a water filter unit, which when it is shipped and installed, will provide clean drinking water to the entire community of about 60 families in this remote mountain village. The technology developed for NASA flight missions has been adapted for use in small villages in developing countries where polluted water is available but which have no sources of potable water.

Six Village Water Aqueduct Project Underway

Six small coffee producing villages, north of Bani are in need of potable water for both home consumption and for washing and processing coffee production operations. A road to the water source is near completion thanks to a grant from Carmelite sisters. A number of Long Island Rotary clubs plan to support the first phase of the system which will bring water to the first of the six villages. Other funders are being sought to support additional stages of this ambitious project which bring water by gravity to holding tanks and distribution lines to lower communities.

Twelve Village Housing Rehab for Hurricane Areas

In an area prone to hurricanes, Hermandad with the support of Fund For The Poor, Inc. of Long Island, has undertaken a twelve-village demonstration project to rehab and construct dilapidated housing units. To date 76 housing units have been rehabbed or constructed with small grants and loans with the technical work being done by Hermandad staff and homeowners. Hermandad seeks other funders to expand this effort to other substandard housing in the area.

Peace Corps Training

Hermandad's country director, Erik Zalkin, completed training seven new Peace Corps Volunteers in water and sanitation, this past fall. It is the fourth year Hermandad has undertaken this task with ENTRENA, its partner, which has had an impact in spreading our technology countrywide for the benefit of low-income communities.