WEFTA continues to advance sustainable water solutions in partnership with the Daughters of Charity International Project Services (DCIPS) for the Sisters in San Martín- Awajún, Peru. In March 2026, a Circuit Ride visit to the Awajún community by our partner, Engineer Julio Sanchez of CONSES, confirmed that the school’s rainwater harvesting and water purification systems are operating effectively, providing uninterrupted access to safe water despite ongoing disruptions to the municipal supply. Engineer Julio designed and implemented the WASH system upgrade for the Sisters in late 2025.
A Healthy Learning Environment
In March, students returned for the new school year. They were welcomed into a healthy learning environment with reliable access to clean drinking water. A key highlight of the visit was the leadership and dedication of the Sisters, who have taken strong ownership of the systems. The Sisters’ recent improvements include protective upgrades to the rainwater catchment infrastructure, and consistent system management, supported through ongoing technical training.
Strengthening Local Capacity
Refresher trainings by engineer Julio further strengthened local capacity, ensuring proper operation and maintenance. Notably, during the first week of classes, the school relied entirely on harvested rainwater with no interruption in supply, a demonstration of the system’s effectiveness.
Julio’s visit also included an assessment of the nearby Sol de Oro community, where 80 families face water access challenges due to a lack of treatment and disinfection. While the water source is high quality, key infrastructure improvements are needed. The community has expressed strong interest in developing a more sustainable system.
This visit highlights both the success of WEFTA’s partnership with DCIPS and Engineer Julio in Awajún and the opportunity to expand safe water access to neighboring communities through continued collaboration and support.
