Philippines

Community Description
The project is located in the barangay (community) of Panarayon, Bacacay in the province of Albay. The specific area of Panarayon for completion of this project includes Puroks (areas) 1, 2, and 3. Access to clean water is not available within a reasonable distance to residents in these areas.

Bacacay is a well-known tourist destination in the Albay province with popular beaches and a large number of visitors, especially in the summertime. The areas further inland are quite the opposite from the coastal destinations. Many areas inland are comprised of people well below the poverty line. Panarayon is one of several portions of Bacacay that is in the Children International-covered area due to the large number of impoverished children and families.

Project Description
The Panarayon water project is to install 4 water pumps across 3 rural areas in Bacacay, Albay, where clean water is not readily accessible.

Residents in these areas include families of Children International-sponsored youth and families of the general population. Community volunteers surveyed and determined that the three sections of Panarayon that are most in need include Puroks (areas) 1, 2, and 3. Each of the locations for water pump installation was selected by the Children International/community volunteers based on the areas most in need and with the largest number of residents living in each area without access to running water.

The water pump locations are centralized in residential neighborhoods along common walking paths that local residents access daily. None of the pumps will be on private property and all residents in each area will have access to the water.

The project will begin with the digging of 3 water wells (Purok 1 has a water well source already constructed) and then the assembly and installation of 4 water pumps. This work will include the digging of trenches, placement and laying of ground pipes, and then installation of the final pitcher pump.

Overseen and advised by a general contractor, community volunteers will undertake 100% of the project labor. Children International Field Officers will also assist with monitoring and implementation.

Funding assistance will go to the purchase of all materials and supplies while the community will undertake 100% of the project labor. Materials include: pitcher pump (4pcs), GI pipes, gravel, sand, cement, steel bars (10mm and 8mm), and wood lumber (2x4x10). A small percentage of the funding will go towards technical support and oversight of construction process.

Project Impact
Over 150 residents of 3 communities will benefit from the project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Chris Economon

Comments
This is a high-impact project that will result in safe water for several communities. There is a large participation by the villagers, leading to sustainability into the future.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$0.00

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
$555.00

Community Description
Grace Christian Mission (GCM) is a "bahay ampunan," a 24-hour residential home for boys and girls ranging from ages 5-18. This NGO is located in Boso Boso, Antipolo City, and is in proximity to the capital city of Manila. In spite of its close distance to the Philippines’ largest city, Boso Boso is a rural agricultural community, composed largely of rice and subsistence farmers. The community is generally of low socio-economic status.

The center houses a maximum of 70 children and youth. Licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Grace Christian Mission cares for indigent orphans, half-orphans, abandoned and neglected children, products of broken families, and minority children of the indigenous “Dumagat” people. The children are referred to the home by DSWD, by their own relatives, or by other caring community members, so that the children’s needs— for food, proper shelter, healthcare, and education— may be met.

Through their residency at GCM, the children learn skills to become productive adults and leaders in their community. Regular activities such as life skills, daily tutorials, group therapy, recreational activities, livelihood projects, and daily devotion aim to enhance the children’s physical, psycho-social, intellectual, and moral wellbeing.

GCM also plays an ever-increasing role in community welfare, from hosting cosmetology courses to leading HIV/AIDS prevention seminars.

Since the home was built in 1992, the quality of the two bathrooms (one for male residents, one for female residents) has deteriorated significantly. The bathrooms hold excess standing water and waste water as a result of the poor drainage system, and can be breeding grounds for disease.

Project Description

This project is to renovate two bathrooms at the center. The primary focus will be on improving the drainage systems (which are not deep enough and are easily clogged) and replacing the damaged flooring with new tile.

Additionally, the bathroom stalls will be renovated, as there are presently no separate places for bathing and waste elimination. Three of the six bathroom stalls in each bathroom will be converted into bathing rooms by removing the toilets and adding faucets for bathing purposes. Finally, basic doors will be added for necessary privacy.

Renovations will be conducted by local contract plumbers from the community.

GCM will provide for the cost of labor and for the replacement tiles.

Appropriate Projects funds will be used to purchase cement, plywood, faucets, pipes, and other construction supplies. Project Impact
This project will benefit the health of the 70 children and 10 staff, and also numerous guests, sponsors, and donors who visit the home on a regular basis.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Jessica Friedman

Comments
These renovations are central to providing safe and clean bathrooms for the children. In addition, they will ensure that the center has safe, clean, appropriate facilities for residents and the community.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$0.00

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
$555.00

Community Description
Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City.

Barangay Mangingisda, which translates to fisherman’s village, is located across the Puerto Princesa Bay from the City’s downtown proper. Travel to the barangay requires either a 30-40 minute banca (wooden catamaran) ride to the Mangingisda wharf followed by a tricycle ride to the Rehabilitation Center, or a 1 hour multi-cab ride on mixed road types including highways and dirt roads.

The isolated barangay community is composed of fisherman, small store owners, and laborers who commute to the city each day. The barangay has its own elementary school, high school, small satellite health care clinic as well as a variety of churches for different faiths.

One of the major developments in this barangay is a government housing project begun in 2007 to house city residents who lost their homes to fire or were forced to move due to new government construction projects.

In this remote barangay, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has begun construction of a Youth Rehabilitation Center that will serve Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and Children at Risk (CAR) who are defined as children who have an ongoing court case, have been abused, abandoned, neglected and/or are out of school youth, street children or gang members.

To date the CSWDO has constructed the first building which will serve as a Youth Detention Facility. The Master Plan of the CSWDO is the eventual construction of an Administration building, a separate long-term Child at Risk Center, an Abused Girls Center, Rehabilitation Center, and a Vocational Center.

Project Description
This project is to purchase and install an electric water pump to provide running water to the Youth Detention Facility and to establish an Organic Farming Center (OFC).

The electric pump will provide running water to the center's bathrooms and kitchen. The facilities were constructed to accommodate running water but the current set-up requires staff to rely on a hand-operated pump that was damaged by shifting soil and often becomes dry in the summer season.

The OFC will be the first cornerstone in providing rehabilitative services to clients while providing food for the center and community. The garden will serve a variety of purposes as an outdoor classroom where clients can learn personal life skills, business skills as well as vocational skills.

The garden will also provide residents and staff with fresh produce which, in bulk, is currently only accessible in the distant city proper. As the garden is expanded, excess produce will be sold to the local community members who lack a major marketplace near their homes.

The CSWDO requested assistance to construct a new well from the City Engineer office. It was approved and they have successfully constructed a new well to a depth of 27 feet, including a cement casement around the descending water pipes to prevent future damage.

With funds from Water Charity, the CSWDO will purchase a new electric water pump, pump attachments, piping and wiring needed to install the pump and connect it to the center and also bring water to the garden area.

Future projects will include the construction of a ferro-cement water tank to store both pumped water and rain water.

Project Impact
This project will benefit will benefit 2,503 people, including 15 children and 8 staff from the Children in Conflict with the Law Detention Facility, 65 children and 15 staff from the Children in Conflict with the Law Rehabilitation Facility, and 2,400 people from the nearby community.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Matt Klebes

Comments
This small project is necessary to satisfy the water needs of the facility.

Larger quantities of fresh vegetables will improve the health and diets of both clients and staff.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$555.00

Dollar Amount Needed

$0.00 - This project has 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 Matt Klebes of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Matt and/or those other PCVs in the country of service.

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

Community Description
Santa Maria, Camiling, is a small rural farming community in the central Luzon region of the Philippines.

Rehoboth Children’s Home, Inc. (RCHI) is a nonprofit, non-government organization that currently cares for 49 male and female youth between the ages of 8-20 who have been orphaned, abandoned, or neglected by their families.

Residential homes like Rehoboth are very common in the Philippines. RCHI struggles to meet challenges that many young people face growing up in the community. Rehoboth arranges for each resident to attend school through college. The staff also implements additional learning through life skills activities, literacy programs, and livelihood projects to prepare the resident for independent living.

Rehoboth strives to demonstrate the many ways youth can protect the environment through participation in an organic learning farm, tree-planting community projects, and other activities at the home.

At the time of construction, the female residential facility of Rehoboth was catering to fewer female residents, and ample washing areas were installed. Over the years, the number of females residing at the home has increased. Meanwhile, the use of the facilities for school and community activities has impacted on the access of the residents to a convenient place to wash clothes, wash dishes, and take showers.

Project Description
This project will provide additional water sources, to be used for washing, bathing, cleaning, and irrigating plants, for the growing number of female residents and staff of Rehoboth.

Three rainwater catchment systems will be built in an outdoor corridor location which is ideal for collecting and utilizing natural rainfall during the lengthy rainy season.

In addition, two faucets, a washing table and sink, and electric lighting will be installed.

Project funds will be used to purchase materials, and to hire a local contractor to do the plumbing and other skilled work.

Project Impact
This project will directly benefit the 41 members of Rehoboth's facility for females, including staff and residents. The new area will also be used by the many visitors who attend seminars, workshops, meetings and celebrations hosted by Rehoboth.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Leah Ferrebee

Comments
Leah previously successfully completed the Rehoboth Children’s Home Water Project – Philippines.

This project will provide needed services for the residents and staff, and also serve as a model of best practices for the youth.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$555.00 + additional amounts for future projects.

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has now been fully funded through the generosity Vocus Inc., Manila Office, which also contributed additional amounts for future projects.

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

Community Description
Bulalacao (translation: Shooting Star), Oriental Mindoro, Philippines is a historical and beautiful municipality. It is thought to be the oldest population center in Mindoro dating back to the 10th century.

Bulalacao is one of the poorest municipalities in Oriental Mindoro and indeed all of the Philippines. Bulalacao is number one in the entire MIMAROPA region of the Philippines for malnutrition and underweight children.

Due to the effects of El Nino, drinking water levels are at an all time low, as population levels are at an all time high. Water is at such a premium, even during the rainy season, that houses with water faucets receive water from one hour to two hours a day.

Most persons not living in town proper are required to walk long distances to retrieve water for daily needs. During the dry season, drinking water is often skimmed off the top of mud from nearly dry and contaminated surface water reservoirs.

This project will be carried out in four locations with limited access to water during the dry season: Cambunang, San Juan, Maujao, and Bancal.

Project Description
Four manual pumps will be constructed in the most strategic locations in the municipality, providing water to the most at need and largest population concentrations.

• The first manual pump will be placed in a low income housing project that serves approximately 200 people in Cambunang.
• A second manual pump will be placed in San Juan, in the village proper, serving approximately 150 people.
•  A third manual pump will be placed in a low income housing project, Maujao, serving approximately 250 people.
• A fourth manual pump will be placed in Bancal, a village where salinity is a problem year round.  This pump will serve approximately 250 people.

The project is being carried out under the direction of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office. A local contractor will install the pumps.

Project Impact
850 people will benefit from the four pumps.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Rebecca E. Kington

Comments
The use of contaminated water will be eliminated, thus greatly reducing gastrointestinal illness.

Providing access to safe water in convenient locations will lessen the burden of traveling great distances each day to retrieve water for the needs of the family. Women will be the prime beneficiaries, as they will have time freed up to go to school and perform other work.

Dollar Amount of Project
$477.00

Donations Collected to Date
$477.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has now been fully funded through the generosity of Hack & Slash, who have designated Water Charity as beneficiaries of this year’s Hack and Slash Christmas Special in Color held in Baltimore, MD.

The project is dedicated in honor of Jenny O'Connor.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify the PCV of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund future projects in the country of service.

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