| Water
Project: Spending
Summary: Total spending: $114,000 (+ $32,000 of volunteer labor from villagers.) Grand Total: $146,000 Construction Summary: Actual construction began on May 1, 2003. A holding tank with a volume of 15,000 gallons and a distribution tank of equal size were built using bricks, cement, and rebar. The two tanks are connected by 4 inch steel pipe through which water is pumped approximately 2 miles up the mountain from the spring, gaining approximately 400 feet in elevation. From the distribution tank water flows approximately 6 miles by gravity through PVC pipes to the villagers' homes. All the trenches for the PVC pipe were dug by hand by the villagers themselves, who each put in 40 days of volunteer labor as well as contributed $100 for their water rights. Families who were unable to afford 100% of their water rights were offered jobs within the village (such as assistance with school construction) to receive payment in the form of AWE Foundation credit. Thus, any villager willing to work was allowed the opportunity to participate in the project, irregardless of their economic capabilities. Now, thanks to all of their hard work and all of your support, there are 198 families (over 1200 people) in El Progreso, El Salvador who have finally realized their dream: WATER. |
 Workers haul sand, gravel, bricks, and cement 15 minutes from the road to the spring making 12 trips a day |
 Tons of dirt cut and moved out to make foundation for holding tank |
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 All cement was hand mixed |
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(right)
shelter built on top of holding tank to house electrical components.
(below) Saul Ernesto (engineer) and Daniel Pappalardo stand in front
of holding tank |
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 4 inch steel pipe cuts laid over the mountains through the corn fields |
 Don Fernando (Master mason and plumber) enters El Progreso with the pipe. The water source is located in a town called Las Lomas |
 Distribution tank is built on highest point in the village |
 Volunteer workers lay the foundation for distribution tank |
 Water will flow from distribution tanks to houses by gravity |
 All PVC pipe must be buried. Trenches dug by pickaxes, hoes, and shovels |
 About 6 miles of PVC pipe is laid |
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 Christian and Wilmer stand outside their home behind their faucet |
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