Santiago Apostol Church

The following project detail was provided by our Honduras in-country coordinator, Rigo Rios, who led an all in-country team for this installation and health and hygiene education program. 

Esquipulas del Norte is a region made up of 8 villages with a population of 13,392, located in the mountains of the Northwest of the Department of Olancho. The Department of Olancho is the second largest in Honduras and for the most part a prosperous Department due to its cattle ranching and agriculture. However, in the case of Esquipulas del Norte, due to its remote location high in the mountains and with difficult access due to the poor condition of its roads, it has resulted in a negative impact on the economy and development of this region. As a result, Esquipulas del Norte has been ranked as the second poorest region in all of Honduras and in third place in the rate of gastrointestinal diseases, mostly in children, due to the consumption of contaminated water. 

But it’s not all bad news, in the midst of this challenging context, in the village of Mi Nueva Esperanza, there is a Catholic Church very committed to its community, the Santiago Apóstol Church directed by the Priest Carlos Cardona. Father Carlos was key In the Agua Viva Installation in San Luis de Lajas, Olancho that was completed in 2022. A year ago Father Carlos was transferred to Esquipulas del Norte and contacted us to request one of our systems to provide purified water for his community in hopes of significantly decreasing the high rates of gastrointestinal diseases.  In a short time, Agua Viva International responded to their request and we signed a Covenant in March, 2024 and managed to install it in November of the same year. 

This installation was a success due in large part to the local volunteers led by Father Carlos. Both educators and installers worked long hours at our side and showed great ability and commitment in their respective teams. Currently, our Operator Partner at Mi Nueva Esperanza is producing an average of 300 gallons of water per week. This production will increase dramatically when the school year begins in February as water will be produced to donate to the Basic Center (first through ninth grade). 

Father Carlos has already made a new request to install a wáter purification system at another community called Carrizales approximately 2 hours west of Mi Nueva Esperanza in the same Esquipulas del Norte Region. During the week of our installation in Mi Nueva Esperanza we traveled to the capital of Esquipulas del Norte to meet with leaders of Carrizales to begin the process to reach the signing of a Covenant and as a final goal to an installation in mid to late 2025.  

I invite you to support with your prayers and contributions to make this new installation in Carrizales, Esquipulas del Norte a reality.