It’s been one year since Mano a Mano dedicated our water reservoir project in Maldonado, Bolivia built in partnership with the community. The Maldonado water reservoir makes it possible for 96 subsistence farm families (about 600 people) to irrigate 250 acres of cropland and to water their livestock, as well as having water for household use.
Water Projects are a Priority
Water projects are a high priority for Mano a Mano and the communities that we partner with. In addition to building large-scale water reservoirs, we also build wells and small water ponds in communities where the smaller projects are a better fit. These water projects help communities manage their resources throughout the year. While water is always important, the COVID-19 pandemic “puts the human right to water front and centre.”
We dedicated our most recent water project in March 2020 just before the quarantine went into effect – an expansion of our water reservoir in Laguna Sulti – and our next water reservoir project in Laguna Carmen is currently on hold, as we are unable to work due to the COVID-19 quarantine.
“Enter the pandemic. According to health experts, one of the most important things we can all do to stop the spread of the coronavirus is wash our hands often, and well, with soap and hot water and keep our surroundings clean. But more than half the global population lacks access to somewhere to wash with soap and warm water. Three quarters of households, as well as nearly half of health-care facilities in developing countries, lack access to clean water on site.”
From “COVID-19 puts the human right to water front and centre” – National Observer, April 22, 2020
Building the Maldonado Water Reservoir
Mano a Mano staff started work on this water project in February 2017. As with many of our projects, the working conditions were difficult: it is about 14,000 feet above sea level, and it is cold, wet, and windy. The project was dedicated two years later – on March 13, 2019.
Dedicating the Maldonado Water Reservoir – March 13th, 2019
Mano a Mano staff and Maldonado community residents take a boat out on the Maldonado water reservoir during its dedication in March 2019. Photo taken by Paul Rogne. 
Dedicating our water reservoir in Maldonado in March 2019 was a large community celebration. 
https://manoamano.org/blog/dedicating-a-water-reservoir-in-maldonado-bolivia/ https://manoamano.org/blog/dedicating-a-water-reservoir-in-maldonado-bolivia/ https://manoamano.org/blog/dedicating-a-water-reservoir-in-maldonado-bolivia/ 
https://manoamano.org/blog/dedicating-a-water-reservoir-in-maldonado-bolivia/
