Total Project Cost

     Phase I:    $15,500 ( FUNDED! )
     Phase II:   $8,200   ( FUNDED! )
     Phase III: $10,500  ( FUNDED! )
     Phase IV: $17,500  ( FUNDED! )

          Total:  $51,700


Important Note:  The One-time Goal shown above right has been adjusted for offline giving, and the actual Phase 4 goal of $17,500 was fully funded as of 11/12/14

Turn On The Water - The Pipeworks Phase

A pipe has to be the simplest and most boring piece of technology since the wheel.  But what if we didn't have pipes to carry water to through our cities and into our homes and businesses?  If you're an El Porvenirian family, the technology of pipes laid in the dirt is the most exciting thing since Rice and Beans (the staple diet of Nicaragua).  Now that we've secured the funds necessary for the Drilling, the Pump, and the Tank, it's time to connect every single home in El Porvenir through that same simple technology that we use every day - Bring on The Pipeworks Phase. 

• Rewards of $250 and less to be delivered no later than December 15th, 2014
• Travel rewards are pending construction schedule TBD (tentative for February 2015)

The Existing Condition

During our time in Nicaragua, we've seen all too many clean water systems broken and abandoned.  The reason for this is simply a lack of community buy-in.  This is why we've made it our business to go head to head with the social front-end of developing a water project.  This is the niche that SuNica has taken upon itself to fill.  There are plenty of outfits capable of implementing the physical part of the project (ie: designing the system, drilling the borehole and installing the pump, electrical systems, etc.).

This is a bold statement, but we are the only organization that we know of who has entered the space with the focus being the social development of the project.  We do not have plans to own drilling equipment because there are plenty of organizations locally that have that capability.  In other words, we can sub-contract this part of the work, which is actually the easiest part. 

Our Social Coordinator, Mario Moraga (pictured below) is a sociologist by trade.  We've been able to teach him the technical aspects of implementing a water project, but we didn't have to teach him a thing about engaging and inspiring people.  Oh no, this is a place where he thrives. 

The true measure of our success is and will continue to be the community's buy-in.  They are ready to pay for 10% of this project themselves and to do all of the physical labor in digging trenches.  You can read more about how we've worked hard to instill ownership in this project by reading our latest blog post - Sustainability Starts With No.

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We would be over the moon if you would share a picture like these. The only rule is that you should not actually Turn On the Water for the photo, and by no means should you dump cold water on your head.  Can't be wasting water, folks!


                    

What's included in Phase 4 ?

• Pipe: All of the Pipe & Fittings to be laid underground (The community is providing the labor) This includes over 13,000 linear feet of 3/4", 2", & 4" PVC pipe.
• Meters: 110 water meters necessary to measure everyone's water usage so that the local Water Committee can effectively charge each family for the amount of  water used. 
• Valves: All the valves necessary to shut water off to certain sections of the community for future maintenance. 
• Public Utilities Training: This includes SuNica's administrative costs for Mario & company to spend the necessary time in training El Porvenir's water committee to manage their own water system so that they will be well prepared to deal with problems as they arrive.