Our Mission Continues for “Such a time as this!”
Agua Viva’s mission is to enable and inspire the disadvantaged people of developing countries by partnering with their communities to implement water purification and distribution (bottling) systems and by providing health and hygiene education and by promoting gender empowerment.
More than ever as communities strive to protect themselves from COVID-19, Agua Viva’s two main health education components are critical:
- Hand Washing
- Drinking Purified Water
Hand Washing
Hand washing is playing a critical role during the pandemic. Yet many people around the world need reminders of the proper way to wash hands for maximum protection.
Watch this video to see why it is important to use soap to eliminate the COVID-19 VIRUS.
Drinking Purified Water
DRINKING PURIFIED WATER also plays a critical role during the pandemic. It is a fact that communities with Agua Viva purified water systems show a substantial reduction of stomach/intestine issues from drinking contaminated water with germs, bacteria, parasites, etc.. AND it is known that COVID-19 has more serious consequences for the elderly and people with compromised immunity systems.
Celebrations and Gratitude for Our In-country Partners
Chichipate, Guatemala
By keeping the bottling operation open and distributing bottled water during the pandemic people do not have to get water from communal water sources where people are frequently infected by germs, bacteria, parasites, etc… They are giving away water as many in the community have no jobs or income.
Mwana, Tanzania
Even though Agua Viva was unable to travel to install a new water system, Mbaja, the local leader translated the 90 power point slides and 52 pages of Agua Viva education curriculum into Swahili and was so impressed with the excellent content he decided to start teaching the community in advance, especially about the importance of hand washing. They are also beginning to construct a barrel sand filter and stand as Agua Viva gives instructions by What’s App and virtual videos to provide primary filtration of their new well water supply.
2020 Updates
Agua Viva operating partner countries are closed to travel due to COVID-19. Not only are outsiders prohibited from entering the country, residents are restricted to travel in country within their department(similar to states in US). Almost all have established curfews that restrict movement and allow shopping for essentials only on certain days. Sadly, schools and churches are closed, affecting many Agua Viva water purification installations and distribution of clean water. And this when health is so important and drinking pure ozonated water protects health in so many ways. A bright spot is that five Agua Viva partner orphanages are still producing clean water and children are benefiting and staying healthy.
Chichipate, Guatemala
Our newest install was completed in February 2020, and is open and purifying and distributing water. This recent photo shows delivery of a “garrafon” by bicycle. Notice the rider is wearing gloves and a facemask in a COVID-19 safe manner.
La Paz Montessori School Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
June 13-20, 2020 installation and health and hygiene education has been postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. We hope to reschedule in mid-2021.
Benard’s Vision School Wachara, Kenya
May 21- June 2, 2020 install has been postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Rescheduled for May, 2021.
Nyaska Free Methodist Church Mwanza, Tanzania
May 23- June 6, 2020 install has been postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Rescheduled for May, 2021.
Rio Jubal, Ecuador
Site investigation for April 2020 was postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The installation and health and hygiene education was scheduled for September, 2020 but has been postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. It has been rescheduled for September, 2021.
2021 Update
Agua Viva has big plans for 2021. Including the four postponed installation trips, New Covenants have been signed and we are preparing for the following installations:
- Senora de los Remedios All Girls Orphange, Jalapa, Guatemala. Installation and health and hygiene education tentatively scheduled for October, 2021. Madre Claudia is praying for funding to finish construction on a transition home for girls that will also house the Agua Viva water purification system.
- Casa Guatemala Camelias, Izabal, Guatemala. This school serves two remote communities and students that reside on site. While school has been shut down, the staff is still working on sustainable living including raising livestock and edible plants on their property.
- Honduras: We have signed two covenants for doing installations and health and hygiene education in July, 2021. Agua Viva will provide purified water systems at Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos Orphanage, Aldea La Vena and Methodist Church and Feeding Center, La Ceibita. The orphanage is scheduled for March, 2021 and the Methodist Feeding Center in May, 2021.
- San Gerardo, Ecuador school serving an indigenous community on the outskirts of Riobamba will receive a purified water system and education program in March, 2021.
- Evangelical Church, Bunju, Mwanza will receive a purified water system in May, 2021.
Paying it Forward
Donations raised in 2019 for 2020 Agua Viva Work will be used as we complete planned installs that were postponed by the COVID-19 Pandemic along with new covenant installs for 2021. Next year will be a very busy year for Agua Viva. With your continued prayers and support we look forward to a bright future in which many more children and adults will have access to clean water and better health.