At Agua Viva International, our mission statement is the cornerstone of everything we do. It guides our values, goals, attitudes, and practices, ensuring that every action we take is purposeful and aligned. This steadfast commitment empowers us to achieve remarkable results.
Through the next few examples, we hope to demonstrate how our mission statement shapes the AVI Culture – the “why” behind our actions – by sharing stories from around the world.
Agua Viva’s success hinges on the essential practice of creating partnerships. Our trip leader training material begins, “make friends first,” emphasizing the importance of fostering open, collaborative relationships among our U.S. volunteers, In-Country teams, and Operating Partners who receive our water systems.
These partnerships are not just a means to an end; they ensure our impact is long-lasting. Through the next few examples, we highlight the transformative outcomes our In-Country Coordinators witness through the power of partnerships in each country.
In Tanzania, Mjaba (center, light blue shirt) travels extensively to establish relationships with potential sites for Agua Viva Water Systems. During his travels in Kenya, Mbaja met Lydia, who has been his invaluable guide since 2021. Through Lydia’s assistance, Mbaja expanded outreach to more communities, including providing purified water to St. Anne’s Girls School in Kapkemich, Kenya where Lydia operates a health clinic. Here, Mbaja poses with the students who now miss fewer days of school because they have access to clean drinking water.
Outcome: Creating partnerships with Operating Partners
In Guatemala, Agua Viva’s newest leadership duo, Marisol (center, pink shirt) and Wily (far right), have been eager to learn the art of representing Agua Viva. Fortunately, they’re under the wing of seasoned mentor Rigo (second from left), who has been our In-Country Coordinator for Honduras since 2019. Rigo’s guidance has helped Marisol and Wily develop into stronger leaders. This partnership has grown so strong that they all now feel like they’ve gained an extended international family.
Outcome: Creating partnerships among ICC networks
Mario (center), our In-Country Coordinator in Ecuador, invited his childhood friend Fabian (right) to be a part of the team on an installation project in the remote community of Rio Jubal. Since the completion of that project in 2021, Fabian has become an integral part of Mario’s team, strengthening both their professional collaboration and their personal friendship.
Pictured here in Llinllin Las Juntas, they share a meal at the celebration after completing another successful Agua Viva project.
Outcome: Empowering ICCs & creating new jobs in country
Agua Viva excels in delivering purified water by constructing purification and bottling systems while educating trainees in Operating Partner communities on a health and hygiene curriculum.
Our focus on purified water and education ensures Agua Viva consistently achieves life-changing outcomes, as outlined in the next few slides.
In Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, more than 30 million people drink water drawn from Lake Victoria. After a lifetime of drinking water tainted with cholera, typhoid, and dangerous level of algae, the locals immediately notice a difference in the water produced by the Agua Viva system. Our In-Country teams witness their reaction firsthand, often asking “What did you add to this water? It tastes so good!” Safe, purified drinking water is an unfortunately infrequent experience that remains out of reach for too many around the world. Agua Viva is working to change that.
Outcome: Fulfilling basic human rights
In Igombe, a rural Tanzanian village, a schoolteacher named Atieno has become a testament to the transformative impact of the Agua Viva water system. Since her school received a water purification system in 2021, she has noticed a significant improvement in her health. Atieno no longer falls ill as frequently and consequently misses fewer days of work.
This positive change has not only benefited her but also her students, who are pictured here and now attend school more regularly. The health impacts of clean, purified water is reinforced by the Agua Viva health and hygiene education curriculum. Atieno and her community are experiencing improved health outcomes and greater educational opportunities, which will create lasting, life-changing benefits.
Outcome: Delivering lifelong health benefits
Agua Viva identifies communities in need by conducting multiple visits and engaging in in-depth conversations to assess their specific challenges accessing clean water.
Our selection criteria prioritize areas with pressing needs and strong community leadership, ensuring our installations not only meet immediate needs but also endure over time.
This comprehensive and collaborative approach guarantees that our efforts create a lasting and transformative impact where it matters most. The next few slides describe how two communities created long-term impact for their residents.
In 2021, Agua Viva installed a water system at an orphanage and shelter for abused girls in Jalapa, Guatemala. Gaby (center, pink shirt), a nurse at the orphanage and former resident, now oversees the operation of the water system and teaches the younger girls in residence how to maintain and operate it confidently. This role gives Gaby a profound sense of purpose as she passes on valuable skills, ensuring the girls and nuns who run the orphanage can sustainably access purified water. This not only benefits Gaby and her mentees, but also eliminates the need to purchase drinking water, allowing the orphanage to direct these funds to food, clothing, education for the residents, and building maintenance.
Outcome: Prioritizing schools, orphanages, churches, and community centers
