Essential Water Projects for Bolivians

QBL has initiated the project by visiting the community, listening to the residents voice their  needs and concerns, and completed a feasibility study for the water project. QBL has helped organize the families in Vilaque committed to participating in the project and formed a water/sanitation project committee.  In addition, the community members have made commitments of their time and labor. Construction has begun; six smaller water intakes and storage tanks have been installed. Piping will be installed once the rains subside, hopefully this month. They are expecting to inaugurate the project in March. The formation of a local water committee helps to guarantee its sustainability. The members of this committee will change annually. These types of efforts do not leave families dependent on outside aid. By carefully choosing to support projects that help the indigenous people provide food for themselves and create safer water supplies QBL promotes independence among the indigenous population. QBL has an office in La Paz with a staff of four indigenous Aymara-speaking Bolivians who have graduated as agricultural technicians and are giving back to their own people.  Our La Paz team is working with the community of Vilaque. As you can see in the photo attached the houses are dispersed over a broad geographic area; the community members put in an immense amount of physical work, such as mixing cement or laying pipes. This contribution gives them a well-deserved sense of ownership. Please continue to support this project financially. I believe QBL’s effectiveness is increased by the amount of respect, social justice, honesty, community building and service shown to all those involved in the mission.