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Bramadero
We have sucessfully installed the 3rd Solar Water Pump in Nicaragua, in
the community of Bramadero. Together with our local partner, Asofenix,
we utilized renewable energy (solar power) to pump water to the homes
in this community of 220 people. Prior to the project, the well in
Bramadero dredged up mud in the dry months and women had to haul
buckets up to 5 km from a neighboring community. This project will
dramatically improve health and well-being with environmentally-sound
alternative energy. The integrated project goes beyond the water pump
and includes watershed restoration, construction of patio-gardens and
community health education.
The original program envisioned using one new well to supply water to
communities of Bramadero, San Geronimo and San Rafael. After drilling
the well, and evaluating the available water resource, we found that
there was not enough water to supply all 3 villages with one system.
Instead, we are using the well in Bramadero for a solar water system
for the 220 people in Bramadero, and digging a separate new well in San
Geronimo for 360. A smaller solar system in San Geronimo will
complement an existing gravity water system which currently provides
limited water that the community self-rations. The 70 people in San
Rafael will continue to use an existing, centralized well.
These projects were supported by the HIVOS, Body Shop Foundation,
Atkinson Foundation, and the Fundo de Inversion Social de Emergenica.
Thank you!
Protreritos:
Nicaragua is one of the poorest nations in the western hemisphere. According to the UNDP
Nicaraguan Human Development Report, 80% of the rural population in
Nicaragua does not have access to safe drinking water. To address this
imperative situation in a sustainable way, a Nicaraguan NGO, Asofenix
has teamed up with an International NGO, Green Empowerment, the local
water authority, ENACAL to use renewable energy to bring water to
communities in need. Asofenix and Green Empowerment successfully
completed their first solar water pump system in the community of
Candelaria in 2004 (see below).
The success of the project raised the interest of other communities,
the water authority, local NGOs and others excited to use solar power
to address the water needs of more rural Nicaraguans. This proposal
outlines the Potreritos Solar Water Pump Project that will use solar
power to bring water to the homes of 500 people in 3 communities. This
water pump project will be a huge benefit to the women and children in
these 3 communities that currently have to haul water great distances
every day by:
• Educating the community on health and hygiene;
• Training the community in administration, organization, health, environment and community development
• Promoting patio gardening
• Working with the community to preserve their water resource through a
reforestation plan that will maintain a clean and accessible water
supply
• Training the community in the installation, maintenance and repair of the solar pump
See the one page Potreritos Project Profile (pdf.)
See a photo essay from March 2006 here .
Candelaria:
Nicaraguans Rejoice at the First Drops of Water in Their Village!
 A
remote, poor Nicaraguan village now has fresh water thanks to solar
energy! Green Empowerment's Program Director just returned from
Nicaragua, where he trained a local Nicaraguan organization, Asofenix,
how to install a solar-powered water pump in the community of
Candelaria. Previously, 240 villagers had to rely on a shallow well
miles away; women and children spent hours each day hauling the heavy
water back to their village. Now they have clean water in their
community. Walt Ratterman, GE's Program Director, recounts the moment
when water started pouring. "Everyone stood by while we connected the
pump and turned on the solar system. After a few minutes, water started
pouring out of the pipe at the well top. The supervisor from the local
water authority was obviously impressed, and surprised to see that the
water was so clear. People gathered to get some water and enjoy the
fact that they really had a water supply in their community. It is
beyond description to get across what it means to a community living in
extreme heat with nearly no water, to suddenly get good clean water. It
is a huge transformation. When we left town, everywhere you looked,
there was laundry on the lines - since this was the first time in a
while they could afford to use their water to wash their clothes. The
water in the river was very low, quite muddy, and barely moving." Now
that drinking water is available, the local water authority will
improve the project be setting up a distribution system throughout the
community.
Candelaria and Potreritos Supporters: This project was funded thanks to the generosity of individual donors like you, as well as the New Earth Foundation, Energreen Foundation, UNICEF/ENECAL, and the International Foundation.
Villagers Become Solar Technicians
 Instead
of simply installing a solar water pump, Green Empowerment's approach
is to train the NGO (non-governmental organization), Asofenix and the
community to be technically skilled at design, installation,
maintenance and repair of the renewable energy technology. For this
solar water pumping project, Green Empowerment led one training
workshop last year to teach Asofenix solar pumping design and
capabilities. After this training, Asofenix did feasibility studies and
worked with the community to set up the management structure needed to
run the project. Then, Green Empowerment returned to Nicaragua to train
Asofenix and the community during the actual installation of the solar
water pump. We also assisted them on budgeting, proposal writing, and
community issues. We believe that projects must be underpinned with
sufficient training and backup so that local people can understand,
build, maintain and fix the system in order to be sustainable.
See a One Page Project Profile (pdf) here.
See a Photo essay from January 2005 here .
Solar Pumping and Micro Hydro Training
 In
July 2003, Green Empowerment conducted an intensive 2 day solar pumping
training that covered both the technical and community development
aspects necessary for Asofenix to complete a successful solar water
pump project in Candelaria, Nicaragua.
Walt Ratterman covered project identification, design procedures,
pre-feasibility studies, budgeting, equipment procurement and
installation. Michael Royce lead a discussion on evaluating appropriate
community, socioeconomic surveys, project organization, benefit
distribution, community training, rate structure, income generation,
the long term involvement of the NGO in the community and finally,
budgeting for community development components of the project. This
training and support boosted Asofenix's skills and enabled them to lead
the development of an innovative and necessary project. Asofenix has
extensive experience with solar power for illumination, solar cookers
and biogas stoves. We are excited to help Asofenix expand their
knowledge and capabilities.
While in Nicaragua in August 2002, Green Empowerment provided a trainin g
to Asofenix to enable it to do technical and social assessments of
potential micro hydro sites. They have since taught the material to
University engineering classes and groups of North American students.
More Villages in Need of Water
In Nicaragua, only 62% of the population has access to clean drinking
water. Solar water pumps can reach deeper, cleaner water, not
accessible using traditional rope pumps. While working on the
Candelaria project, other nearby communities were amazed to see water
flowing up from the well using just solar panels. Neighboring
communities have asked for the help of Asofenix and Green Empowerment.
Now that the partnerships have been formed, Asofenix has the technical
skills and experience, and Candelaria serves as a sustainable model, we
will need your support to replicate this innovative project.
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