Peace Corps Peace Corps Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

Healthy Environment

Project

How was the Project How was the Project Developed ?Developed ? FACTORS

Health Situation In the DR Peace Corps involvement in the

Water and Sanitation Sub‑Sector began in 1982 and has evolved over the last 20 years. Originally, water and sanitation was one of the main interventions of the Appropriate Technology Project.

At the beginning of the last decade, this intervention was integrated into the Health Project and since 1995 it has been operating as an individual project assisting low-income families living in small rural communities to access drinkable water and sanitation facilities.

PARTNERS

National Institute of Potable Water (INAPA)

CORAASAN CONAMOCA CORAPLATA FUNDASEP CEPOCS Community Based

Organizations ADEMI Canadian Fund PRO-COMUNIDAD

Snapshot View of Water Snapshot View of Water and Sanitation in the DRand Sanitation in the DR

Access to safe water Rural 78% (2000)

(% of population) Urban 90% (2000) Access to sanitation 66% (1982)

(% of population) 70% (2000) Water‑borne diseases are one of the major causes

of death for the children and infant population

Healthy Healthy EnvironmentEnvironment

PROJECT PROJECT PLANPLAN

Project PurposeProject PurposeLow‑income families living in the rural communities of the Dominican Republic will

have improved environmental health

conditions.

Project GoalsProject Goals GOAL #1: Creation/Strengthening

of Water/Sanitation Committees

GOAL #2: Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene Education

GOAL #3: Training and Construction of Aqueducts and Latrines

GOAL #1:GOAL #1:Community leaders will be actively participating in the Community leaders will be actively participating in the decision making process of designing and implementing decision making process of designing and implementing sanitation projects;sanitation projects;

Objective 1: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Project Partners will train 180 community leaders to organize 35 Water Committees to respond to the water and sanitation needs of rural communities.

Objective 2: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Project Partners will train 180 Water Committee leaders to identify funding sources, articulate proposals and set operational procedures to manage sanitation projects.

GOAL #2:GOAL #2:Low‑income families living in the rural area will adopt Low‑income families living in the rural area will adopt improved sanitation and healthy practices through improved sanitation and healthy practices through educational activities.educational activities...

Objective 1: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Partners will train 180 community leaders to be sanitation facilitators.

Objective 2: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Sanitation Facilitators will reach 2,500 families with messages of improved sanitation and hygiene practices.

GOAL #3: GOAL #3: Low-income families will improve Low-income families will improve sanitation infrastructure resulting in a reduction in the sanitation infrastructure resulting in a reduction in the transmission of water‑borne diseasestransmission of water‑borne diseases . .

Objective 1: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Project Partners will train 140 community leaders to construct 35 gravity‑flow aqueducts to increase the access of 2500 rural families to drinkable water and 750 adequate excreta disposal systems.

Objective 2: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Project Partners will train 140 community leaders to properly manage, maintain and operate the water systems and latrines constructed.

Typical Volunteer CycleTypical Volunteer Cycle Pre-Service Training (12 weeks including CBT) Months 0-3: Community Diagnostic and Relation Building 3 Month IST: Diagnostic Report and Start the 1st Year Project

Planning Process Months 3-12: Complete Project Plan, Implement, and Monitor

project 12 Month IST: Evaluate 1st year progress and Plan 2nd Year Months 12-24: Reformulate, Implement, Monitor, and Evaluate

project Months 21-24: Begin transition process Pre, 3, 12 month Site Visits Close of Service Conference

Success Stories: Kevin WheelerSuccess Stories: Kevin Wheeler

Kevin Wheeler, (2002-present) began the construction of 2 small scale water systems that will help around 200 families in the community of Gualete, Puerto Plata, after approximately one year of community preparation including forming two water committees to act as governing bodies for various sectors of the community, negotiating with local government officials and the private utility company CORAAPLATA, and 6 months of solicitation for funds from the Embassy of Canada and Peace Corps SPA grants. One of the projects was inaugurated in August 21st, 2004. The other is still in progress.

Being a Volunteer is…Being a Volunteer is…

A Unique Experience A Challenging Experience A Growing Experience A Sharing Experience An Unforgettable Experience IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU

DECIDE IT WILL BE!

Peace CorpsPeace Corps DominicanDominican RepublicRepublic

Are you ready for the challenge?

Welcome to the Healthy

Environment Project