The progress of the Southeast Water Project continues. Working with DINPEA (the Haitian Water Agency), International Action has installed chlorinators, water tanks, and water pumps at 5 more schools. Three of these schools are the educational homes of more than 2,000 children each. These schools need a lot of water.
We have ensured that there will be enough clean, safe water for all 9,912 students at these schools. Moreover, all five schools have agreed to open their new water stations to the public after school hours. The schools want as many people as possible to benefit from the presence of clean water.
Over the past month, we have provided the students at the following schools with clean, safe water:
- Ecole Nationale K-douje – 3000 students – 2 sessions per day
- Ecole Mixte Nazareth – 72 students
- Ecole Nationale de K-Rock – 2,020 students – 2 sessions per day
- Instituition Madeleine Morano – 4,500 students – 3 sessions per day
- College Milo Gousse – 320 students
We also installed a chlorinator and water tank at a police station in Cayes-Jacmel. 50 police officers and many of the surrounding residents now have access to clean, safe drinking water.
Evaluation, Maintenance, and Success
Following the installation at the Saint-Michel hospital in February we began weekly water testing – as we do at all water sites. The tests revealed that there was not enough chlorine in the water to make the water safe. We replaced many valves and built a ladder to ensure chlorine refills were being executed appropriately. The last test revealed that the hospital’s water is now up to World Health Organization standards for safe drinking water.
After this last month of work, 16,810 total students now have access to clean, safe water. We have continued to work with DINEPA to maintain the community sites for the 6,000 people in Meyer and Cyvadier. In the coming months, DINEPA will tell us which community water sites need chlorinators and water tanks in Jacmel.