Week In Review! August 10, 2009

It's been a busy week for Project Milagro. Here's what has transpired. A view from the foundation trenches around the complete Rebombeo #1. 

The redistribution tank (Rebombeo #1) is finished.  It has been filled with water for over a week now and remains leak-free.  The tank is vital because it acts as a buffer in the water flow.  If there is a problem in the water flow from the well site (i.e. power outages, etc.), it will prevent the in-line pumps from being damaged.

The next step is to construct a protective wall around the outside of this tank and install a smaller, assist pump.  To accomplish this, The Crossing Church will arrive August 15 from Costa Mesa, CA to support local volunteers in wall construction. Trenches have been dug as we wait for the foundation to be laid for the wall.

Another major development last Wednesday was a general assembly meeting that Community members fired off questions to ADSA members for over an hour.took place in the Las Delicias municipal hall.  About 200 people attended in the sweltering dusk to hear ADSA present a progress report on Project Milagro.  ENLACE provided a handout illustrating both the steps completed and remaining.  (Click here.)

Along with providing basic information about the project's progress, such meetings are one of the integral functions of ADSA for two reasons. ADSA's transparency is of the utmost importance as it sends a message that encourages trust from the community.  Additionally, the more well-informed a community is the more cohesive it becomes.  At the end of the assembly meeting, after an hour of ADSA answering questions and addressing concerns, the community members filed out of the casa comunál (assembly hall) content and committed to moving forward on this phase.

"I have four children, my daughter-in-law and grandson are living with me, and my husband is the only one with a job. We need this project!"

Local water recipients-to-be weigh in about the economic effects that Project Milagro will bring.

Week In Review! July 27, 2009

Last week, Project Milagro continued moving toward the completion of phase four of the seven project phases.

The first redistribution station (Rebombeo 1) has been completed and is now in the testing stage. A week ago the station's tank was filled with 3,698 gallons of water, and the level isn't dropping, signifying that it is well-built and leak-free. In mid-August, a protective fence will be built around the station with the help of a team from The Crossing Church (Costa Mesa, CA). As well, preparations are being made for the pumping infrastructure on the outside of the tank.

Legal footwork is getting under way for the 2nd redistribution tank (Robombeo 2). Pastor Miguel and other members of ADSA are working with the local mayor's office to get permission to lay piping on public land. They are also going door-to-door to get permission to use private land. Additionally, ADSA is working with FOVIAL (the road works commission) to get permission to excavate other roads that are necessary for Project Milagro piping.

The land for Robombeo 2 has already been donated by a local woman, Sr. Selsa Martinez. This act demonstrates more than just generosity. It's an example of how community members are tangibly supporting this project; It's their project.

Project Milagro Update: July 2009

Over the last year, Project Milagro has certainly lived up to its name: Project Miracle. By God’s grace, we have seen many barriers fall, barriers that for decades have stopped the people of Las Delicias fromgaining access to clean water.

Recent Milestones

In 2008, ADSA, the local water board, was elected and legalized thus providing project oversight and cohesion to future progress as well as transparency to spending and planning.

The Assemblies of God Women’s Ministries of Southern California chose Project Milagro as its 2009 Project Hope. We are extremely grateful for their partnership. see video

After seeing the momentum building in the Las Delicias communities as they dug their own wells, excavated a one-mile ditch, and rallied around each other through various setbacks, ANDA, the national ministry of water, agreed to donate the distribution piping that will carry water to residents’ homes.

ADSA Shines in 2009

ADSA continues to show excellent leadership by spearheading petitions campaigns, which provide legal permission to excavate certain roads and other sections of private property for piping. Legal face-offs can be potentially disruptive, and the diplomacy efforts of ADSA in these matters has made a huge difference to the project's success.

Pumps and Infrastructure

As ADSA worked with local residents to get permission to construct the redistribution tank something incredible happened. A local woman was so enthusiastic about the project she decided to donate the property needed for the tank. While this is incredible, such donations of land and volunteer labor has actually been the norm for Project Miracle.

Regarding construction, it is steadily moving forward. More sixty-six percent of the electrical infrastructure is in place and we are waiting for the industrial pumps to be installed. Two of the six pumps have been purchased ($25,000 each). Transformers, circuit breakers, power lines and poles ($18,000 worth of equipment) are now at the well site ready to be installed. Once the pumps are in place, water will be pumped up the mountain at 432,000 gallons per day. From there the water goes to a redistribution station that has also been completed.

Building Relationships with Local Government Officials

Miguel Durán (a local pastor and president of ADSA) had been working with the San Martin mayor’s office for years. After recent elections in March 2009, a new administration was installed. Pastor Miguel was emotionally prepared to start over from scratch. After months of trying to connect with the new administration, Miquel was able to establish a relationship with the new mayor. He even invited the mayor to his house for a traditional Salvadoran meal of pupusas (tortillas stuffed with beans andADSA draft a grant proposal to ANDA cheese), Pastor Miguel shared about the experience the he and the community had been through trying to get water. From that time of fellowship and from that conversation the mayor decided to waive the road re-construction fees which would normally amount to $20,000. Additionally, the mayor has begun to seek further funding for the project from the Spanish and Korean embassies for this project!

"With clean water in our homes, I could die a happy man!"

A Local businessman offers his opinion about the approaching arrival of clean water in his hometown.