Kasiche, La Parcela and Wayúumana, Colombia

Kasiche, La Parcela and Wayúumana,
Colombia
Region: La Guajira
Beneficiaries: 211 Indigenous Wayúu
Project Cost: ~US $140,000
Technical Solution: Well, Solar Pump, Water
Storage Tank, Composting Latrines, LifeStraw®
Family filters
Financed by: Colciencias, ANSPE, Hybrytec,
Aguayuda and Corpoguajira
Project Completed: July 2014
Kasiche, La Parcela and Wayúumana, Colombia
About Kasiche, La Parcela and Wayúumana:
Kasiche, La Parcela and Wayúumana are four poor, remote
communities consisting of 211 Wayúu indigenous people. The
Wayúu survive on livestock and revenue made from selling
handcrafts, such as bags and hammocks.
Previous Water and Sanitation Situation:
There were no clean water sources in the three communities.
Water access was limited to contaminated ponds and salty
wells in the region. The ponds and salty wells were used for
drinking water, bathing, laundry, as well as by animals. These
activities contaminate the water, making it dangerous for human
consumption. In the past, the communities did not have sanitation
facilities and everyone practiced open defecation.
The flexible water storage tank holds 40,000 liters of
water, which is distributed via the water station.
Implemented Technical and Educational Solutions:
Together with Hybrytec and Corpoguajira, Aguayuda implemented
a new water infrastructure that included a new 150m well, a
submersible solar pump, a 40,000 liter flexible tank and three water
stations. Each of the 41 families in the communities has received
a LifeStraw Family Filter. Additionally, each family has built a
bathroom enclosure to hold a Loveable Loo composting toilet,
which was provided by Aguayuda. The Loveable Loo composting
latrine involves a prefabricated seat and a set of changeable
containers to store human waste along with other organic material
until the composting process has turned the waste into safe and
valuable fertilizer. Lastly, Aguayuda has helped set up a WASH
committee for these communities, which will maintain and operate
the WASH infrastructure properly, educate their peers on essential
WASH topics, and deal with future problems should they arise.
Project Impact:
The three communities now have access to clean drinking water
and adequate sanitation facilities.
Evaluation and Monitoring:
Aguayuda will continue working with the communities through the
MWA-Lazos de Agua project for Colombia. This program is funded
by Coca-Cola Latin America and The FEMSA Foundation.
The composting latrine provides an affordable and
safe sanitation solution that requires no water.
P.O. Box 2056 • Easton, MD 21601, USA • +1 410-989-2134 • [email protected] • www.aguayuda.org