Tears, hugs, gratitude, humbled. Just a few words to describe today as we met with the women of the village in the mountain near Cahabon to deliver water collection systems. The families have no running water and most do not have electricity. They typically live in shacks with bamboo walls and tin roofs.
Most women walk down the mountain each day to collect water for their families and then walk back up the mountain carrying the water.
The water collection systems we provided consisted of a large blue barrel to keep rain water in and a “canal” that will be attached to the roofs and used to collect the rain water.
We wanted the families to come up with a part of the cost for the system. Each system cost about 350 quetzal (about $35 usd). We asked each family to come up with 50 quetzal (about $7.50 usd). This was a stretch for many of the families.
Doug and I did fundraising with my LuLaRoe business to cover a most of the remaining costs of the water collection systems and LuLaRoe matched the fundraiser.
We presented the water collection systems at the municipality center. I sat and observed several these small women sitting on chairs with their bare feet not touching the ground. I watched as these women used their thumb print to sign for their system because they do not know how to write their names. I watched women weep as they were given their water collection systems. I was humbled to be a small part in this.
Once the people had their system they had to get the systems to their homes. Understand that most of these people live on the side of the mountain and their homes are not acceptable by motor vehicles. They walk everywhere.
As we handed out the water collection systems, I stepped outside to help and watched as women, men, and in some cases, children put barrels on their backs or shoulders or in a tuk tuk. I saw people carrying the canals. They were working together as families to get these up the mountain.
I feel so blessed to have been a part of this.
