Don Werner believed that providing and ensuring access to drinkable water to all community members of Palestina was his responsibility. To make sure everything was implemented correctly and safely, he also got the input of key community members, such as doctors and the police.
The community had this need because before 1993, the majority of Palestina did not have easy or regular access to safe water. Access to safe water is a human right!
This need is being met to a large extent. Don Werner informed me that all aldeas now have access to clean drinking water. Everyone has access to water 12 hours a day, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some people have their own water storage systems, which means they can also have safe, running water outside of these 12 hours. However, I am not sure that all the caserios still have access to consistent, clean drinking water. I am also not sure how often the water system is checked to make sure it is up to code. Furthermore, I think it is important that we continue to implement education around sanitation whenever possible. It can sometimes be difficult to make sure all community members are reached with this education so that they can keep all their family members safe and healthy in their homes. Sometimes there are issues of distrust between community members and health, police or government officials. At other times, the barrier is simply not having the time, and therefore the privilege, to take a break from work to receive this health education. Making sanitation education and information more accessible to the community is something we can always continue to work on.
