The first week in January brought two all-day rains to Laguna Sulti, and a long-awaited reprieve from the severe drought that plagued this community, as well as nearly all others throughout Bolivia’s Cochabamba Valley over the past year. By January 5th, the reservoir was 2/3 full! The water level has reached about 3 feet from the overflow channel which guides water back into the Laguna Sulti River.
During 2023, there was no rainy season. The Laguna Sulti reservoir, which had brought food security and economic vitality to the region, yielded enough flow-in water to support minimal yields. But its farmers worried that another year without rain could make it impossible for them to raise enough food to feed their families.
Now that the reservoir holds ample water for the 2024 growing season, grateful farmers have begun to perform their gratitude rituals, burning incense, and burying a preserved llama fetus.
Given the continued summer school vacation (classes resume in February), children also celebrated by taking a break from farm chores to swim in the reservoir.
Learn More About Mano a Mano Water Projects
- Thank You For a Busy and Successful 2023!
- Traveling to Peru For Well-Drilling Parts – to Be Able to Complete Water Projects in Bolivia
- Dedicating a Deep Water Well in Villa Rosario, Bolivia (September 2023)
- Dedicating a New Water Well in Islas Malvinas, Bolivia (May 2023)
- Dedicating the Mamanaca Water Well on March 14th, 2023
- Celebrating 15 Years of Laguna Sulty Reservoir and Progress on Mano a Mano Airport in Punata (May 2023)