San Juan, November 2, 2019 | Community leaders from the central region of Puerto Rico participated today in the third meeting of community water systems Knowledge and Experiences of Self-Management and Empowerment of Community Aqueducts,held at the Lions Club of Adjuntas.
The initiative promoted by the Water Alliance For Us, comprising Puerto Rico Community Foundation Rico (FCPR), Hispanic Federation y Oxfam America, generated a rich exchange of peer knowledge and new relationships that strengthen the human and social capital of the members of community organizations in charge of these systems, responsible for providing drinking water to their communities. The first two conversations were held in the communities of Corcovada, in Añasco (March), and Las Corujas, in Aguas Buenas (June). Both generated unique encounters, in order to offer support and identify solutions to their problems, mostly related to water quality, community organization, administration, and the infrastructure of their systems.
“These meetings are important because they are strengthening us. We are building a support chain. It allows us to get to know each other, and that's beneficial because if I've overcome your situation, I can help you overcome it. If I was able to overcome my non-compliance with regulatory agencies, you can too,” shared Miriam Matos, president of Acueducto de Buenos Aires Inc., in Caguas.
37 people from the towns of Adjuntas, Coamo, Caguas, San Germán, Jayuya, Aguas Buenas, Ponce, and Arecibo attended the meeting.
“The meetings have fostered a very enriching exchange of knowledge among peers, which seeks to continue strengthening the self-management and empowerment of these community-based organizations. An example of this is AsoCaguas, an organization that brings together the aqueducts of this town and is actively advising several of its peers. Thanks to the alliance with Hispanic Federation and Oxfam, we have successfully contributed to social capital by encouraging new relationships and human capital through knowledge exchange. Now, we aim to promote an organization that will take them to the next level,” said Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats, president of the FCPR.
In Puerto Rico, there are approximately 242 community water systems that provide drinking water to about 100,000 people. These systems are not connected to the Water and Sewer Authority (AAA); they are managed by community organizations and are primarily located in rural areas.
The Water Alliance For Us strengthens community water systems to provide equitable and sustainable access to safe drinking water in the communities served by these systems. The Alliance works with the community and its water system in four areas: infrastructure strengthening; community organization; water system management; and compliance with water quality regulations. It also collects and analyzes information on gender perspectives and intergenerational support within the community organizations that manage the water systems. Both the Hispanic Federation and Oxfam America joined the strategy outlined by FCPR to strengthen the water systems after their needs were revealed in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Both organizations are participating with financial contributions and enthusiastic direct collaboration.
“The Hispanic Federation is proud to be part of this philanthropic effort that aims to ensure these communities have access to potable water services. Having clean water should not be a privilege for some. The initiative allows these communities to continue managing their own aqueducts while guaranteeing a healthy future for their families. Moreover, this collaboration opens the door to more development opportunities, such as access to federal funds, said Frankie Miranda, executive vice president of Hispanic Federation.
To date, the Alliance has provided technical assistance to 30 community aqueducts, 13 of which have received donations to improve their infrastructure or install solar energy systems.
María Concepción, Program Director at Puerto Rico of Oxfam America, stated that with “each of these meetings, we have successfully facilitated invaluable information that seeks to guarantee equitable, safe, and sustainable access to drinking water. The communities have already shown that they are capable; we only provide them with tools to continue developing in an integral, inclusive, participatory, and uninterrupted manner.”.
The meeting also served as a platform to promote the creation of a national or regional organization that brings together all community water systems, with the goal of having them support each other in a structured manner.
The aqueducts receiving technical assistance are: Pedro Calixto Communities, Caguas; Barrio Cedro Aqueduct, Cayey; Parcelas Bayamoncita Community and Juan Asencio Aqueduct Association, Aguas Buenas; La Preita Sector, Montaña Neighborhood, and Mogote Communal Aqueduct, Yauco; Lijas Neighborhood, Las Piedras; Pozo Azul Aqueduct, Ciales; Gripiñas Community Aqueduct, Jayuya; Santa Pascua Sector Communal Aqueduct, and Montesllanos Aqueduct, Ponce; Arrozal Los Muertos Community Aqueduct, Arecibo; Pellejas Las Cruces Community, and Camino Pagán Residents Association, Adjuntas; Cándido Salva Arriba Sector, Utuado; Los Díaz Sector, San Lorenzo; and Nieves Sánchez Community, Naranjito.
Meanwhile, the 13 aqueducts that received donations in addition to technical assistance are: Río Chiquito, Ponce; Corcovada, Añasco; Los Oquendo, San Lorenzo; Buenos Aires and Pozo de Agua, Caguas; Toro Negro, Ciales; Algarrobo and Cuyón, Aibonito; Jacaboa, Patillas; Juan Hernández, Adjuntas; Las Corujas and Bayamoncito, Aguas Buenas; and Perichi, San Germán.
Por Meanwhile, the Corcovada aqueduct in Añasco and the Las Corujas aqueduct in Aguas Buenas recently received donations from FCPR to establish two community emergency centers in their communities. The contribution will enable them to develop an emergency plan for the water system and the community, and the center will serve as a temporary community shelter, with access to solar power to meet emergency needs related to communications and health.
In the past two meetings, representatives from 48 community water systems attended. To contribute through a donation to the strengthening of the water systems, visit the project at crowdfunding Water for Us at Global Giving.
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About Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico | A nonprofit organization that, for the past 34 years, has advised individuals, families, corporations, and foundations both on and off the island on how to channel their philanthropic efforts. The guidance aims to ensure that donors’ contributions have an impact on the self-development of Puerto Ricans. Additionally, FCPR’s strategic plan promotes equitable and sustainable access to clean water, renewable energy, housing, economic development, and education. FCPR is the first foundation of its kind in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and currently the only one in Puerto Rico.
About Hispanic Federation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1990, dedicated to providing support to Hispanic families and strengthening Latino organizations in areas such as education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and the environment. Support is provided through information, referrals, and direct services to the Hispanic community. Immediately after Hurricane Maria, HF established operations in Puerto Rico and has committed over $30 million to recovery efforts through more than 100 local initiatives and groups.
About Oxfam It is a global organization that works to eradicate the injustice of poverty. Its mission is to address the causes of poverty and create long-term solutions. We help people build a better future for themselves, hold those in power accountable, and save lives in disasters. Our mission is to address the causes of poverty and create lasting solutions.