Guatemala
The Ch’orti’ Maya of eastern Guatemala are often considered to be the poorest population in Guatemala. In the past two decades they have had three catastrophes, a cholera epidemic that killed hundreds in 1992 and famines in 1996 and 2001 that killed countless more. Today, there is a permanent ward in the local health clinic for malnourished children. Their poverty, which results both from expropriation of land by more powerful people as well as a booming population among Ch’orti’s themselves, has prompted them to have an ethnic inferiority complex and resort to drastic alternatives to making a living. Most, however, still live a perilous existence from subsistence corn and beans agriculture, as their ancestors did for thousands of years. Their problems are many, but the ones that could be explored by EWB-USA Sunflower State Professional chapter members include water purification, water procurement and preservation, composting latrines, energy capture and storage, bridges, food storage/processing, and more. One member of our chapter has 20 years of experience in the area, including contacts with several non-profits who are willing to work with us.
Since 2011, the EWB-USA Sunflower State Professional chapter has been working with the Ch'orti' community of Matazano in Eastern Guatemala. We are working with the community to set up a community driven water utility. Our goal is to help the community set up a self-sustaining water utility that can maintain a water system that distributes safe drinking water throughout the community.
We are currently in the design phase of a new water supply line to the community. Please consider donating to our fundraiser to help pay for construction of this project.
Since 2011, the EWB-USA Sunflower State Professional chapter has been working with the Ch'orti' community of Matazano in Eastern Guatemala. We are working with the community to set up a community driven water utility. Our goal is to help the community set up a self-sustaining water utility that can maintain a water system that distributes safe drinking water throughout the community.
We are currently in the design phase of a new water supply line to the community. Please consider donating to our fundraiser to help pay for construction of this project.
Local projects
Rain Barrel Workshop
The EWB-USA Sunflower State Professional chapter partners with K-State Research and Extension in Douglas County, KS and the Douglas County Master Gardeners to host Rain Barrel workshops. In these workshops, participants are taught how to construct their own rain barrels out of re-purposed 55 gallon barrels. These rain barrels can be used to collect rainwater from home downspouts, which can then be used to water gardens and house plants.
Solar Dehydrator Workshop
The EWB-USA Sunflower State Professional chapter partners with K-State Research and Extension in Douglas County, KS and the Douglas County Master Gardeners to host solar dehydrator workshops. In these workshops, participants are taught how to construct their own solar dehydrators. These solar dehydrators can be used to preserve excess fruits and vegetables by drying them using heat from sunlight.
The EWB-USA Sunflower State Professional chapter partners with K-State Research and Extension in Douglas County, KS and the Douglas County Master Gardeners to host Rain Barrel workshops. In these workshops, participants are taught how to construct their own rain barrels out of re-purposed 55 gallon barrels. These rain barrels can be used to collect rainwater from home downspouts, which can then be used to water gardens and house plants.
Solar Dehydrator Workshop
The EWB-USA Sunflower State Professional chapter partners with K-State Research and Extension in Douglas County, KS and the Douglas County Master Gardeners to host solar dehydrator workshops. In these workshops, participants are taught how to construct their own solar dehydrators. These solar dehydrators can be used to preserve excess fruits and vegetables by drying them using heat from sunlight.