Peace Corps Dominican Republic Peace Corps Dominican Republic Healthy Environment Project

How was the Project Developed ? FACTORS Health Situation In the DR Peace Corps involvement in the Water and Sanitation Sub ‑ Sector began in 1982 and has evolved over the last 20 years. Originally, water and sanitation was one of the main interventions of the Appropriate Technology Project. At the beginning of the last decade, this intervention was integrated into the Health Project and since 1995 it has been operating as an individual project assisting low- income families living in small rural communities to access drinkable water and sanitation facilities. PARTNERS National Institute of Potable Water (INAPA) CORAASAN CONAMOCA CORAPLATA FUNDASEP CEPOCS Community Based Organizations ADEMI Canadian Fund PRO-COMUNIDAD

Snapshot View of Water and Sanitation in the DR Access to safe waterRural 78% (2000) (% of population)Urban 90% (2000) Access to sanitation66% (1982) (% of population)70% (2000) Water ‑ borne diseases are one of the major causes of death for the children and infant population

Healthy Environment PROJECT PLAN

Project Purpose Low ‑ income families living in the rural communities of the Dominican Republic will have improved environmental health conditions.

Project Goals GOAL #1: Creation/Strengthening of Water/Sanitation Committees GOAL #2: Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene Education GOAL #3: Training and Construction of Aqueducts and Latrines

GOAL #1: Community leaders will be actively participating in the decision making process of designing and implementing sanitation projects; Objective 1: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Project Partners will train 180 community leaders to organize 35 Water Committees to respond to the water and sanitation needs of rural communities. Objective 2: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Project Partners will train 180 Water Committee leaders to identify funding sources, articulate proposals and set operational procedures to manage sanitation projects.

GOAL #2: Low ‑ income families living in the rural area will adopt improved sanitation and healthy practices through educational activities.. Objective 1: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Partners will train 180 community leaders to be sanitation facilitators. Objective 2: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Sanitation Facilitators will reach 2,500 families with messages of improved sanitation and hygiene practices.

GOAL #3: Low-income families will improve sanitation infrastructure resulting in a reduction in the transmission of water ‑ borne diseases. Objective 1: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Project Partners will train 140 community leaders to construct 35 gravity ‑ flow aqueducts to increase the access of 2500 rural families to drinkable water and 750 adequate excreta disposal systems. Objective 2: By 2006, 33 PCVs and Project Partners will train 140 community leaders to properly manage, maintain and operate the water systems and latrines constructed.

Typical Volunteer Cycle  Pre-Service Training (12 weeks including CBT)  Months 0-3: Community Diagnostic and Relation Building  3 Month IST: Diagnostic Report and Start the 1 st Year Project Planning Process  Months 3-12: Complete Project Plan, Implement, and Monitor project  12 Month IST: Evaluate 1 st year progress and Plan 2 nd Year  Months 12-24: Reformulate, Implement, Monitor, and Evaluate project  Months 21-24: Begin transition process  Pre, 3, 12 month Site Visits  Close of Service Conference

Success Stories: Kevin Wheeler Kevin Wheeler, (2002-present) began the construction of 2 small scale water systems that will help around 200 families in the community of Gualete, Puerto Plata, after approximately one year of community preparation including forming two water committees to act as governing bodies for various sectors of the community, negotiating with local government officials and the private utility company CORAAPLATA, and 6 months of solicitation for funds from the Embassy of Canada and Peace Corps SPA grants. One of the projects was inaugurated in August 21 st, The other is still in progress.

Being a Volunteer is…  A Unique Experience  A Challenging Experience  A Growing Experience  A Sharing Experience  An Unforgettable Experience  IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU DECIDE IT WILL BE!

Peace Corps Dominican Republic Are you ready for the challenge? Welcome to the Healthy Environment Project