Community Coalition for Haiti

Water

In Haiti, lack of clean, safe drinking water is the second leading cause of death for local children, just behind starvation. For this reason, CCH, CBP. the Pignon Rotary and International Rotary are working on repairing the Pignon Water System to serve 35,000 residents. A survey of the system, installed in 1984 by the U.N., has been completed by Mouvement Payson Papaye (MPP). MPP, a grassroots organization, will be performing the technical and training aspects of the water project.

In 2006, CCH repaired the CBP farm well that had been inoperable for 10 years! What a moment to rejoice!
   
This young man was gathering drinking water from a puddle in the road.
   
One of several tanks needing repair. The Pignon Water System will consist of capturing 6 springs to provide water for 9 community fountains and 750 homes.
     
  
Presbyterians from Iowa working with CCH install and train local workers on copper pipe use for Hopital Bienfaisance de Pignon. Sunlight, heating the copper, kills bacteria and provides hot water for HBP.
   
80% of Haiti's 5.2 million rural residents must travel great distances to remote locations to collect water (1)(1) "Water and Sanitation, Meeting the MDG Drinking Target" WHO and UNICEF, 2006
   
Bruce investigates one of the local springs where residents share drinking water with animals and bathers. Seperation of drinking water from water for bathing and livestock is desperately needed.
     
  
Unlike American children, Haitian children spend countless hours retreiving water instead of learning.
   
  
Inside of the existing pump house. International Rotary, in cooperation with the Alexandria, Herndon, and Pignon Rotaries, will begin constructing a larger pump house for 6 pumps to transfer spring water to a 40,000 gallon tank.
     
  
Carl Biggs, CEO of Chemical and Engineering Services, is checking the existing 40,000 gallon water tank for possible reuse in the Pignon Water System. With maintenance of the existing tank, it can be reused reducing the cost of the Pignon Water System.
  
Chris Mogensen met with Mouvment Payson Papaye to discuss the Pignon Water System survey and their proposed solution for providing clean water for the next 25 years to 35,000 people.
   
The lives of women and children are significantly impacted as they must walk down deep ravines for many miles to retrieve contaminated river water, the main source for Pignon. Time retreiving water gives way to decreased learning and economic output for families.
     
  
20 of the 34 town wells in Pignon are non-operable. Some must be chained to prevent pumping the wells dry and damaging the hand pumps. CCH hopes to repair the 20 wells this fall.
   
Children walks great distances down steep ravines to retreive water.
   
Completed in 2005 by CCH with support from CBP. It provides sanitary water to Hopital Bienfaisance de Pignon that serves a catchment area of 166,000 people.
     
  
Chris and Bruce survey the water tower installed in 2005.
   
By providing water through the Pignon Water System rehabilitation and well repair, children like these girls can spend more time going to school!