Mission Opportunities

Living Waters for the World trains and equips church mission groups and others to share the gift of clean water with communities in need.

Living Waters for the World has established regional networks in countries where groundwork has already been laid by previous LWW mission groups. The purpose of these networks is to identify clean water mission opportunities and to bring initiating and operating partners together whenever possible.

If your group does not currently have a prospective mission partner in need of clean water, we encourage you to review the information outlined below.


Guatemala

Contact: Katy BeDunnah, LWW Guatemala Network Coordinator

Background

The magnitude of the health problems that can be directly attributed to the lack of clean water in Guatemala is almost beyond comprehension. In the forefront of these problems are chronic malnutrition and diarrhea, both of which contribute to stunted growth, poor attendance and performance in school age children and high rates of infant mortality.

More than 98% of the water sources in Guatemala are contaminated and there are very few (less than 20) operational municipal water treatment systems in the entire country.

Current Opportunity

To date, 25 Living Waters for the World water systems have been installed in Guatemala. We are continually searching for and identifying appropriate locations for additional water systems, and many potential sites have been surveyed. Bringing partners together is our ultimate goal, and whenever possible, we will match new initiating partners without a mission partner identified with our Guatemalan operating partners, in order to bring clean water for drinking and cooking to their villages.

We are fortunate to have developed a relationship with Habitat Guatemala that we anticipate will expand the opportunities for LWW-trained teams to provide clean water in Guatemala for residents of new Habitat colonias as they are developed.

Habitat Guatemala, created in 1979, is the largest international partner of Habitat for Humanity, having built some 23,000 homes in Guatemala. They hope to install a clean water system in each of the new "colonias" as they are established. Living Waters is working to identify potential partners for each of these colonias and to work out an installation timeline with Habitat Guatemala.

For more information, please contact Katy BeDunnah, LWW Guatemala Network Coordinator.


Yucatan

Contact: Joanie Lukins, LWW Yucatan Network Coordinator

Background

“Don’t drink the water!” Anyone who has traveled to Mexico has heard that warning, for virtually all water sources in the country are contaminated with bacteria and/or parasites, causing serious health problems for local residents, as well as travelers. But there are now 36 communities in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico where one can drink safe water, thanks to Living Waters for the World water systems; and more are in progress at this time!

Opportunity

In January 2005, a covenant was formed between Synod of Living Waters, Presbyterian Church (USA) and Synod of the (Yucatan) Peninsula, National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, whereby those two bodies became partners in the delivery of clean water to appropriate areas in the Yucatan. Working together, the two bodies have identified a number of communities in which a clean water system would be successful.

U.S. congregations of any denomination or civic organizations wishing to establish a partnership with a congregation in the Yucatan for the purpose of installing a water system and developing an ongoing relationship are invited to contact Joanie Lukins, LWW Yucatan Network Coordinator, to learn of potential opportunities.


El Salvador

Contact: Nancy Losure, LWW El Salvador Network Coordinator

Background

The El Salvador network is LWW's newest, currently with 3 active water systems and 4 installations in prospectus.

We work a bit differently than the other networks in that we have been dealing with community organizations called ADESCOS instead of with churches. Each ADESCO is an organization of local business and other leaders which is chartered by the national government, and which is tasked with community development. ADESCOS often focus on water systems, but they also might have projects in schools, health and sanitation etc. When we survey a site in El Salvador, we give
preference to a site with an active ADESCO with a track record.

Dealing with the ADESCO also means that the water system is going to be run
as a business, but not necessarily for profit. They want to provide clean water at the lowest price, so that the system can pay for itself, and no one goes without.

The El Salvador is network is also blessed with an excellent working relationship with the Peace Corps. They are glad to help their villagers get water projects, and having them as local contacts is very handy.

Opportunity

El Salvador is a small country, but there is still plenty of demand for clean water systems. For guidance on forming a partnership with an El Salvadoran community in need of clean water, contact Nancy Losure, LWW El Salvador Network Coordinator.

Recent pictures from El Salvador: