Links Project
In the early years, Afri’s main activity involved supporting projects overseas. The focus of our work subsequently changed to education and awareness raising. Recently, we have been supporting a project entitled Water as a Human Right in El Salvador, which maintains our links with the “Global South”.
Facts
- It is estimated that approximately 60 million people in Latin America do not have access to a safe water supply.
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Background
Water as a Human Right in El Salvador
Afri Co-ordinator, Joe Murray, visited El Salvador and Guatemala in January 2007 to meet some of the amazing groups and individuals who are tackling the many causes of inequality and injustice there. During his visit to El Salvador he came into contact with the Programme of Human Promotion and Sustainable Development (PHPSD) in Santa Rosa de Lima: among other things, they are addressing the critical issue of water, which has been a major cause of premature death and serious illness in the area.
In the majority of rural communities in El Salvador, people often have to walk miles to access contaminated streams to fetch water for domestic use. During the dry season the problem is exacerbated by deforestation causing the streams and the wells to dry up.
Safe Water Project
The PHPSD has formulated a three year plan entitled the ‘Safe Water Project’, which aims to promote sustainable development based on food security and improvement in the health of the participating families. Providing access to clean water is the central element of the plan through the provision of water tanks, which collect water during the rainy season and preserve it in conditions whereby it can provide clean, safe water for families for the rest of the year. Not only will it provide safe drinking water but it will also enable families to grow crops which will improve their nutritional intake and may allow for some crops to be sold.
Afri Help
Afri, with the help of Irish Aid, will provide funding, assistance and support in the process of building four water tanks in two rural villages named Quebrada Honda San Sebastian and Los Melgares, near Santa Rosa de Lima. As part of a project entitled ‘Water as a Human Right’, we will also provide funding for training workshops for members of the community on how to maintain and care for the water tanks. In addition, there will be a strong element of education involved and personnel from the project will take part in Afri ‘Education for Liberation’ days in 2008.