$301 to $400

Community Description
Lake Bayano is a man-made lake in Panama Este, created in 1979 to supply water power to a hydroelectric plant that supplies Panama City and the surrounding provinces with electricity.

The great majority of the land surrounding Bayano was reserved to relocate the native American settlements that had to be flooded to create the lake. The lake has become the natural habitat of hundreds of bird and animal species, including some that are found in very few locations in the world.

Lake Bayano now provides a major source of income for its native American residents who harvest tilapia fish for sale locally and to foreign markets.

Pueblo Nuevo de Bayano, located on the Southern Shore of Lake Bayano, is a tiny rural community of 180 fisherman and their families. The primary revenue-generating activities in this isolated community are fishing, agriculture, and more recently tourism.

A large rustic natural cave is located alongside the community. Adventure travelers are beginning to find out about these caves and come in small numbers. Tourism is the new focus in the community to stimulate the town's tiny economy.

A small primary school (32 students, 2 teachers) is located in Pueblo Nuevo. Other than that there are no social services (medical, government agencies, NGOs, or shopping) available due to the isolation of this community.

There is no electricity. Water is supplied by a decaying community aqueduct that has leaking and broken tubing.

There are currently no bathroom facilities for tourists to use when visiting the community attractions. Also, one family of 5 has no toilet facilities, and currently uses the lake.

Project Description
This project is to replace old and decaying tubing in the community's aqueduct system.

In addition, two latrines will be built. The first will be for arriving tourists. The second will be for the family currently without facilities.

Project funds will be used to cover the costs of materials, supplies, fuel and transportation. Labor will be provided by the community.

Project Impact
All 180 members of the community will directly benefit from this project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Donald DeAngelis

Comments
This project provides a consistent source of water to the community. It also improves hygiene and sanitation, reducing illness. Finally, it impacts on the financial viability of the village by creating and maintaining jobs and businesses.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$100.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$400.00

Community Description
The Kaniga sector, District of Gicumbi, Northern Province, Republic of Rwanda is a rural area, composed mainly of poor agro-pastoralists and subsistence farmers.

The Mulindi Health Center is the primary intake facility for the sick in the area, serving a population of almost 17,000. The service area includes 3 sectors, 10 cells, and 41 different villages. Because of its proximity to the Uganda border, the center also serves a significant transient population.

The latrines currently in use at the center are beyond capacity, and can no longer accommodate the needs of the expanding patient caseload.

Project Description
This project is to build new pit latrines at the health center.

The latrines will be constructed using local labor and mostly local supplies. A hole 6 meters wide and 4 meters deep will be dug. Then, a building of two rooms will be constructed, one for men and the other for women.

The building itself will be made of mud bricks and stones, with a sheet metal roof. The foundation will be made of cement and stone.

Project Impact
16,966 people will benefit from this project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Devin Johnson

Comments
A health center must provide facilities that comply with the best practices of hygiene espoused by the staff. Since existing facilities are unsanitary, and have become unusable, the replacement of the latrines is crucial to the ongoing delivery of services to the increasing population.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$175.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$325.00

Community Description
The Manyagiro Sector, Gicumbi District, is located in the Northern Province of Rwanda. The rural area is mountainous and does not have running water or electricity. Agriculture is the main source of income in the region.

The MAFUREBO Primary School is determined to educate the youth that attend through a progressive and forward-thinking curriculum.

The current rainwater collection system at the school is unsafe and unsanitary. It is also inadequate, as it does not accumulate enough water during the rainy season to last through the dry season, and there are no spigots in the region to obtain water by other means. Thus, the school is left without access to water during part of the year.

Project Description
This project is to install an 80 cubic meter water collection and storage system for the MAFUREBO Primary School. The improved system will be constructed of plastic and will be covered to keep contaminants from entering.

Project funds will be used to cover the costs of materials, supplies, transport fees, and skilled labor.

Information on the use and importance of hand washing and hygiene will be illustrated through demonstrations and lessons integrated into the existing curriculum throughout the school year. Additional lessons on health and hydration will be highlighted as well.

Project Impact
1,320 teachers and students will directly benefit from this project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Avery Karlowich

Comments
A safe and hygienic water collection system will provide a year-round water supply for the school. It will immediately have a positive effect on the school and dramatically improve the health and wellbeing of the students.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$170.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$330.00

Community Description
Kibungo is about 100 km east of Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali, and about an hour from the Tanzania border.

The Kibungo Hospital serves the entire District of Ngoma, made up of 14 different sectors, and 42 imidugudu (villages in the local language, Kinyarwanda). While health centers and post are located in those areas, it is the hospital that receives and treats patients with the most severe forms of illness or specialized needs.

The Hospital is a complex, made up of a variety of wards, namely pediatric, maternity, mental health, and tuberculoses.

The pediatric ward is made up of 20 beds, which are sometimes all full. The dedicated staff members have their hands full with an average of 120 patients admitted every month. The 11 nurses and 2 doctors care for patients suffering from an assortment of illnesses, from respiratory infections to malaria, severe wounds, skin afflictions, AIDS and malnutrition.

There is no running water in the pediatric room. Staff currently uses a cup to scoop water from a bucket for handwashing.

Project Description
This project will install a sink within the pediatric ward of the hospital, and connect it to an existing external water source.

Project Impact
Approximately 1440 people, plus the staff of 11, will benefit from this project each year.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Anna Montgomery

Comments
This project will clearly improve sanitation in this ward, thereby reducing the spread of disease. In addition, it will reduce the burden on the dedicated health workers by making water readily available when needed. Finally, staff will be better able to role model hygienic practices.

Dollar Amount of Project
$315.00

Donations Collected to Date
$315.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has now been fully funded, through the generosity of Six Senses Resorts & Spas as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Anna Montgomery of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Anna and/or those of her counterpart PCVs in Rwanda.

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.