Special Activities Report
ADEC
To: Bill Kramer,
Program Director -
International Rural Water Association (IRWA)
From: Diana Cáliz,Director - Water and Community Development (ADEC),
Honduras
Month: October 2008
Surveys for the Tufts University Study
In October, at IRWA’s request, we concentrated our work almost exclusively on the study being conducted by Tufts University which was developed in the following manner:
| 1. |
First, possible communities were identified, (El Chapulín, El Cerrón, Las Leonas, Brisas del Cerro, Llanos de San Antonio, Sirara, La Cuesta, El Chorro, Campo Colón) which met the requirements previously established with Tufos University. Water samples were taken for bacteriological analysis. Oral interviews were carried out with the inhabitants to identify their needs, types of systems and the numbers of houses. This task was not easy. Some communities met some of the requirements and others didn’t.
 |
 |
| Hose Systems |
Taking water samples for analysis |
 |
 |
| Determining their needs |
Identifying their systems |
|
| 2. |
The communities to be included in the study were selected, six in total, (Sirara, La Cuesta, El Chorro, Campo Colón, Chinacla Centro, El Pescadito.) Plans were developed to carry out the interviews, to analyze the water samples and take measurements of the children less than 5 years old.
 |
 |
| Carrying out interviews |
|
 |
 |
| Taking measurements |
Analyzing Samples |
|
| 3. |
Interviews were carried out and water samples were analyzed. Then we proceeded to define alternatives for improving water quality and assigning them to each community. Also, control communities were identified for comparisons. The distribution is as follows:
No. |
Community |
No. Of Interviews |
Alternatives |
1 |
Sirara (Chinacla) |
17 |
Combined System |
2 |
La Cuesta (Chinacla) |
16 |
Combined System |
3 |
El Chorro (Chinacla) |
18 |
Ceramic Filtres |
4 |
Campo Colón (Marcala) |
20 |
Combined System |
5 |
Chinacla Centro |
20 |
Control |
6 |
El Pescadito (San José) |
20 |
Control |
|
Total |
111 |
|
|
| 4. |
Next, meetings were held with each community to explain the water analyses made and to identify the best alternative for each community. A process was laid out for providing the combined systems to communities selected for this improvement and the ceramic filter system to the community selected for this improvement. Commitments and responsibilities of those receiving the improved systems were identified. Dates were set out for the installation and provision of the improved water systems.
|
| 5. |
Next, we proceeded to install the combined systems to communities selected for this improvement and to provide ceramic filters to the community selected for this improvement. Training was provided for these respective systems.
 |
 |
| Provision of Ceramic Filtres in El Chorro (Chinacla) |
|
 |
 |
| Installation of Combined System |
Training by Circuit Rider |
 |
|
| Training by Circuit Rider |
|
|
| 6. |
Periodic monitoring will be carried out by the Circuit Riders. |
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