la angostura, honduras
funded May 20, 2021
About 9.6 million people live in Honduras, with 1.5 million lacking access to clean, more accessible water resources. Rural areas account for 1.2 million of that. Overall, almost two-thirds of Hondurans live in poverty. The Central American country ranks 132 of 189 on the 2019 United Nations Human Development Index. People migrate to escape gang violence, drug trafficking, one of the world’s highest murder rates, and to find economic opportunities.
Rural families lacking access to safe water consume water from streams or open wells—the same places where people bathe and wash clothes, and animals defecate—leading to diseases. Drought lowered crop production and subsistence farmers struggled to feed their families.
Providing Clean Water in La Angostura: Mayra and Heber Colindres live in a beautiful home high in the mountains near Las Minas. To provide for their family, the Colindres grow coffee, corn, and beans, making a small income each year. Their daughters are the joy of their life, and Maria Elena, their youngest, is an “angel from the Lord.” She was born with severe microcephaly, a condition that requires attentive care by her parents, and her life is a miracle to the family. Although they live in the dry corridor of Honduras, the Colindres land has abundant water from a large spring that flows at a rate of 300 Gallons Per Minute. Water is plentiful for drinking and farming, and it is a precious resource for the family.
The water situation for families in La Angostura, a mere 12 miles away, instead is bleak. For decades, families there have had only one water source, a dirty watering hole contaminated with E. coli and other dangerous bacteria. Families have prayed daily for a new water source, but water sources are scarce and the land expensive. Several potential water sources the community pursued alongside World Vision Honduras fell through. In one case, the families approached a large commercial tobacco farmer to obtain access to his spring. The man refused and threatened to harm the families if they tried to access his land. In La Angostura, mothers and fathers were desperate, and they continued to plead with the Lord for a miracle. That miracle came from the Colindres family.
When Mayra and Heber heard of the community’s plight, specifically the children, they were heartbroken. They could not bear to see other children suffering and knew that Maria Elena would tell them to help if she could speak. They also felt a deep calling from the Lord to give us their most precious resource, their water source, to help the most vulnerable. They could have sold the water source for an incredible sum that would have ensured a financially comfortable life for their family. Instead, the Colindres family worked with World Vision and the surrounding communities to donate the watershed to end other children’s suffering. The water project will bring clean water to over 2,600 people in the area. Ingomar Living Waters contributed $25,000 towards the La Angostura water project. The overall project costs are $176,800. Community volunteers have worked with World Vision for the past year to dig by hand 19.2 miles of pipeline and construct four water tanks. This March, families in the community will safely gather to celebrate the miracle of clean water flowing for the first time. On heaven and earth, there will be much rejoicing.
La Angostura Water Source
Heber Water Source
COMPLETED JUNE 30, 2021
The La Angostura water project was completed in June of 2021, reaching 2,600 people there. Through the La Angostura Project, the Honduras WASH team has (1) finalized distribution networks in the communities of La Angostura and El Obraje; (2) achieved 100% coverage in basic sanitation in the communities of Las Minas, Santa Rita, and San Lorenzo, to certify these communities as Open Defecation Free; (3) determined community fees with water management boards to cover expenses such as operation and maintenance of the water system, and protection of the micro watershed; (4) developed an action plan with the Forest Conservation Institute to protect the Apaguiz micro watershed, then implemented it within the communities; and (5) finalized the project.ture because of your generosity.
Hand-digging a well for muddy water
The drillers strike water!
A storage tank of clean, fresh water
People celebrating the commitment to help bring clean water to this community within a year.
A happy young boy splashes in a sink full of fresh water.
AZUCENA REJOICES AS WORLD VISION BRINGS CLEAN WATER TO HER FAMILY IN LA ANGOSTURA
For as long as 47-year-old Azucena Baquedano can remember, she has traveled long distances to collect water. “I had a very troublesome childhood due to the poverty of my family and the scarcity of water in our community,” recalled Azucena. “At age 6, I walked several kilometers to search for water for our family. The closest water sources were in neighboring communities at a distance of 5 to 10 km [3-6 miles] from La Angostura.”
Azucena’s water woes continued
throughout her childhood into adulthood. After forming a family, giving birth to five children, and
providing for their education, four of Azucena’s children were forced to migrate to other communities because of the lack of access to water and the lack of employment opportunities.
Azucena and her daughter remained in La Angostura, but were unable to collect water for the family — Azucena struggles with poor health and also fears possible assaults when collecting water. Azucena’s son-inlaw agreed to collect water for their home.
Thankfully, World Vision in Honduras began the La Angostura water project in 2020. By working collaboratively with the community, the project will soon be complete and provide 952 families with
sustainable WASH services.
“The project has brought hope to my family and to the entire community,” exclaimed Azucena.
“I thank God, the donors, and World Vision for your support, and for the construction of the water project for the community of La Angostura.”
We have full
confidence that
we will have water,
since we have seen
the water reach our
new distribution
tank.”
Children of La Angostura thank you all for the gift of accessible fresh, clean water!
