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Spring opening, California style

It was only just over two months after Hurricane Felix had destroyed their homes and forced them to take temporary shelter in the local school, but the community of California were ready to celebrate.  During those two months, Nuevas Esperanzas’ water and sanitation team led the work to develop a spring source close to the school so that the community would be sure of a clean water supply.  The level of community participation was excellent, and around 15 volunteers from the community worked long days digging out the spring, mixing cement and building the walls to protect the spring.

When the moment of truth came, the flow of water from the tap exceeded all expectations and all involved were really proud of their success.  The deputy mayor of Rosita and representatives of the local health authority attended the opening ceremony, as well as members of the community of all ages.  The community also constructed latrines at the school and the church and helped install a large water tank, donated by Hotel El Convento in León, to collect rainwater from the roof of the school.  Things are looking very different to the way they looked on 4^th September when Felix passed through.

Work has also been completed in the communities of El Black and Las Breñas.  In El Black, the well had been contaminated so it was pumped clean and chlorinated and two latrines were also constructed.  In Las Breñas none of the usual approaches to well rehabilitation were able to clean the water supply to make it safe to drink, and so the Nuevas Esperanzas team developed an innovative solution, installing a filter in the bottom of the well made from plastic barrels.  The lateral thinking paid off and the filter works perfectly, producing crystal clear water that is now chlorinated and fit for drinking.

Latrines were also built in these communities.  Sanitation is very important in emergency situations where displaced families living in cramped conditions are vulnerable to water-borne diseases.  It can also be a challenge, as satisfactory solutions are not always easy in flooded areas.  However, the raised latrines built at Las Breñas not only provide adequate sanitation for the families sheltering at the school, but also ensure that the school now has sanitation which does not contaminate groundwater supplies in the longer term.

Although the emergency work has now been completed in these three communities, Nuevas Esperanzas hopes to go back next year to see how the communities are progressing and is considering what other work could be done to help them as they rebuild their lives after the hurricane.

19/11/07