GUATEMALA WATER PROJECT

Hurricane Mitch tore through Guatemala in 1998, leveling villages, destroying lives - and leaving El Triunfo and other towns without access to safe drinking water.

Thousands were left in ramshackle settlements. Disease became rampant. Only 3 in 10 children lived to see their first birthday.

Lois Pope led an expedition to Guatemala in April 1999 to evaluate damage to water purification systems in the devasted areas.

Recognizing that people would not be able to rebuild their lives without access to clean water, the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, working with the Center for Environmental Studies at Florida Atlantic University, donated $100,000 to create a new clean-water system for the entire village of El Triunfo.

That initial donation sparked a cooperative spirit that soon led other charitable organizations to step in and contribute to the revitalization of El Triunfo. A new school and sanitation system were built, and materials were donated for better, stronger homes.

Mrs. Pope w/ Baby 'Lois Cecilia Flores Ipina' in El Triunfo, Guatemala

Now plans are in the works to extend the program and bring fresh water to more than 18 other villages in the area around El Triunfo.

Lois returned to El Triunfo this past February to inspect the new facilities and was warmly welcomed by thankful villagers.

One local woman handed her newborn daughter to Mrs. Pope and told her in Spanish: "We named her Lois to thank you for helping our village." Today, the Guatemalan project has expanded and made tremendous strides in creating a sustainable community. Here are some of the highlights:

1. The dental and health clinics were inaugurated on February 1, 2004. Over 500 El Triunfo residents participated in the celebration.

2. The Interns from San Carlos University are delivering services in El Triunfo. The medical Intern goes two days a week. The dentist Intern is in El Triunfo only two days. The rest of the time, the Interns the Interns are in Gualan. As soon as we can house them in El Triunfo, they will remain in El Triunfo for the five days of the week.

3. The Mayor of Gualan, Mr. Juan Mejia, is granting to the Guatemalan Project two extra lots next to the existing school. This will allow us to build six, instead of three extra classrooms and to provide schooling to all school-age children of El Triunfo. This is great news!!!

4. Mr. Michael Grimme, CEO of AMC Liquidators donated a truckload of fine furniture that will be sent to El Triunfo in April. This donation enhances the chances of the people's economic development in El Triunfo.

Lois Pope has been referred to as the "river" that allows the people of El Triunfo to continue to fish and to build their sustainable community. This project has truly been a great example of what happens when everyone does his or her job in an equitable and just fashion.