CAM International - Guatemala
Here in Guatemala drinking bottled, or purified, water is a must. The public water is not treated enough to be considered safe to drink. However, many people cannot afford to always drink "agua pura". Many people think that when you live here and drink the water you build up immunities. This is not true. You may build some resistance to some things, but you do not become immune. That is why many, many people here have chronic intestinal issues. Many people, usually children, die from water borne illnesses every year.
I recently received 10 filtration kits from a donor in the US and am amazed by the capabilities of this small, simple kit. I have used some older systems using ceramic candles, which work well, but the candles are fragile and need to be replaced over time, and are fairly expensive. This new system, with occasional cleaning will last for years and years. It removes 99.9999% of bacteria that causes illness and assembles in less than two minutes using a five gallon plastic bucket.
Eluvia Cortez is one of the women we selected to receive a filter. She lives in one room with her sister, and her daughter of seven months, Biberly. Eluvia comes from Jutiapa, in the Eastern part of Guatemala and has lived in the capital for several years. About two months ago she lost her job and has not been able to find another one yet. The economy is terrible here, and seems to be hardest on the poorest. She cried as she explained how she tries to buy bottled water to wash her baby’s bottles and to make formula when she has work to go to. But she can't always because she doesn't have any money. When I explained this system will filter the water and she will no longer have to purchase bottled water, she began to cry and for about 10 minutes could not even talk. She says she is grateful from the bottom of her heart, because this is a gift of life for her and her family.
Another amazing thing for me was the recognition we are gaining there in these neighborhoods. In two houses we entered, the people knew of me before we arrived! I entered one home and introduced myself, "Hi, I'm Mike." She said to me "Hermano Mike? The hermano Mike that helps the kids at Casita Benjamin?" Instantly, the mood changed in the home. We were quickly welcomed inside, and they went from being wary, to bright eyed, smiles and you could feel hope, trust and expectation of something good.
This, to me, was one of the biggest highlights of my time here in Guatemala! I have been trying to get into this neighborhood for two years, now I am finding credibility and trust from the people there. God is doing great things, and there are many more great things to come!