Many of you have been following closely the events related to Project Milagro. Some of you have even had the distinct privilege of meeting Pastor Miguel and working alongside his church and community members as they work towards making a dream come true. For more than 30 years the community has been striving to bring clean water to their community where the average family spends up to 30% of its income during the dry season to buy dirty water from water trucks.
2008 was a year of slow progress as the community struggled to legalize the water board and finalize system plans. Many families began to lose hope and motivation, believing that the project would never become a reality. However, over the past few months a number of amazing events have taken place giving the project the renewed energy it needed to continue forward. Here are just a few of the highlights that are happening now:
ADSA Legalized
After years of pushing for the government to authorize their request, the locally elected water board was officially legalized as a non-profit entity late in 2008. They named their organization ADSA, or Association for Water System Development. The legalization gives ADSA the authority to own and manage the water system for generations to come.
Project Hope Partners with Project Milagro
Every year the Women’s Ministry of the Southern California district in the Assemblies of God take on a project. They call this yearly endeavor “Project Hope.” In 2009 Project Hope selected Project Milagro as their yearly project.
ANDA gets involved
On February 3, 2009 a potable water association funded by the Salvadoran government, ANDA, signed a crucial agreement with ENLACE and Project Milagro’s water board, ADSA. ANDA agree to provide more than $130,000 in materials for the first stage of the distribution system.
Mile-Long Ditch Dug by One HundredVolunteers
On March 2, more than a hundred volunteers showed up to begin the excavation for the piping to be laid on the first stage of the distribution system. More than 80 volunteers are showing up everyday until the first stage of the piping is complete.In less than three weeks the volunteershave dug a ditch nearly one mile long and five feet deep, outlasting and outdigging the excavator provided by ANDA. The community has never been more committed or motivated to make the miracle happen.
Watch the video. See Picture Gallery.
JOIN THE MIRACLE!
Now is more exciting than ever to get involved. There is still a long way to go to complete the project and we still need your help to make it happen.
A $500 donation brings water to an entire family for generations to come. Or commit to setting up an automatic payment of $50 /per month for 10 months by clicking here.
