The need

Communities in the Napo region have a high prevalence of waterborne illness due to consumption of unsafe water and inadequate hygiene practices, which has been shown through past TGH clinic data, observations, and studies from multiple sources.

Timmy started safe water initiatives in several Napo communities in 2014 with water purification systems. Household water filters have also been implemented in the remote community of Centro Palmeras to address the lack of access to safe water. Since then, TGH has monitored results and supported these communities with continued training and education of water committees, Community Health Workers, and community members.

Current Initiatives

In 2020, in collaboration with local partners, Timmy started a pilot project with ceramic water filters in San Vicente de Los Ríos, a small and remote Kichwa community located next to the Napo river. After all the limitations and restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, our partner Hombro a Hombro, with the financial support of Timmy, has been able to return to San Vicente de Los Ríos in order to monitor and evaluate this pilot project, and assess the WASH needs of other surrounding communities in the Napo region. As a result, Hombro a Hombro, with the assistance of Engineers Without Borders, is working on designing, funding and building a new water source and water treatment for the communities of Nueva Jerusalén, Los Ríos y Runashitu. Two Engineers Without Borders' chapters, namely the San Francisco Professional Chapter and the Colorado Mesa University Chapter, are involved in this project.