El Encino

El Encino is a village in the Municipality of Esquipulas del Norte in the Department of Olancho. The municipality of Esquipulas del Norte is one of the poorest in the entire country of Honduras. It is second in gastrointestinal diseases (especially in children) due to the consumption of contaminated water.

The village of El Encino has a population of approximately 4,500 people. The main source of income is agriculture, especially the planting of beans and corn. They produce mostly for their own consumption. Its remote location and the poor condition of roads prevent farmers from being able to take their product out to market. Buying purified water is an unattainable luxury in a community where the purchase of food is a priority.

Thanks to the joint initiative of Father Carlos Cardona and Agua Viva, we were able to sign an agreement with the Catholic Church Nuestra Señora de Fatima in the village of El Encino to bring purified water to this community.

At the end of September 2025, we carried out a successful installation in that community. We were received with great joy and hospitality and due to the commitment of the local volunteers we were able to fulfill our goal of installing one of our systems and providing health and hygiene education in this community.

El Encino is currently producing an average of 200 gallons of purified water per week to give away to those in need and sell at an affordable cost to people with a little more resource. When the Elementary School and High School begin their school year in 2026, our Operating Partner of El Encino will produce water to donate to both educational centers.

This installation in El Encino is a sign that Agua Viva is always willing to go wherever the need is, no matter how remote a community is and how difficult it is to get to. Our Mission is to bring purified water and we have achieved it once again. Thank you, Agua Viva, International and thank you brothers and sisters of Nuestra Señora de Fatima Church in El Encino.