The San Vicente de Paul school, community care center, and surrounding community in the District of Awajún in Peru’s San Martin department are on track to benefit from a new rainwater harvesting system and water purification plant. The school is operated by the Congregation of Sisters Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. The new project is being undertaken with WEFTA partner and civil engineer Julio Sanchez of CONSES.
Planned improvements will address the problems of irregular water flow, sediment in storage tanks, and unsafe sanitary conditions causing outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness among children in the community. Currently, the Awajun project’s rainwater harvesting system has been designed, and parts are being sourced. Additionally, a technical manager has been selected to adapt an existing structure for the water purification plant.
As part of the plant’s start-up, water samples will be taken to a certified laboratory for validation. Engineer Sanchez will assemble the necessary documentation and guide the sisters through the permitting process to ensure full compliance. With materials in place, coordination complete, and installation imminent, the project remains on track to deliver safe, treated drinking water to students, staff, and surrounding families—providing a lasting improvement to health and quality of life in the Awajún community.
Previously, WEFTA partnered with CONSES in Bolivia to provide ecological bathrooms that transform waste into an agricultural resource. WEFTA is proud to be working with CONSES once again, this time in Peru, to help strengthen access to safe, reliable drinking water.
