continued from san juan del sur HOME

As part of a three tiered appropriate technology project (Eco-stoves, Composting Toilets, Biosand water filters), we are installing water filters, testing their effectiveness, training health workers in the Campo, and educating families in the many communities surrounding San Juan.

The Newton-San Juan del Sur Sister City Project (NSCP) is a US-based organization that has been working in San Juan for 18 yrs in many aspects of community development including rural elementary-school construction, health campaigns, and adult literacy. Recently, we have undertaken the task of combating parasitic infections and diarrheal disease using locally manufactured Biosand filters. Made from simple, locally available materials, and built here in San Juan, the filters work by trapping viruses and parasites in the many sand grain pores. In addition, a naturally forming biological layer of predator organisms which grows at the top of the sand consumes disease-causing E. coli bacteria. Contaminated well water is poured in the top and as it works its way down through the mass, 100% of the viruses and parasites and 96% of the E. coli bacteria are filtered out.

In the last year the Newton Workshop has installed over 50 such filters in the rural communities around San Juan. Recipients report markedly lower levels of illness not to mention better tasting water.

Recently, we have continued work in Papaturro, a community of 23 families to the north of San Juan. There, we have brought filters to each family, provided education on their use, and in the coming weeks will be treating the community for parasitic infections. A recent grant from a foundation in Boston will allow us to expand this pilot project—whereby we have combined water filtration, education, and medication to improve the health of the community—to six other villages in the campo as well.

The project would not be as successful thus far if it had not been for the dedicated commitment of community members. We would like to thank Aurora Beach Front Realty which provided office space and the use of their computers so that educational materials could be produced. We hope that there are others of you in the community or who are visiting for a vacation that would like to get involved either by volunteering or by supporting our work with office supplies or transportation. For more information, please contact Mateo Bartek by email: matthew.bartek@gmail.com or by phone: 607-5660