Community Engagement

Ponsoña Project Update: Building toward clean water, one step at a time

July 21, 2025 by Renata

We’re thrilled to share the latest progress on our biggest water and sanitation project to date, one that will serve seven communities through a single, unified effort.

A project of this scale demands precision, hard work, and perseverance. It begins with tapping a spring with sufficient water and pressure to provide clean water to over 2,000 people. It continues with building a community-owned system that is durable and will last for generations to come.

Thanks to our team on the ground and a dedicated group of 25-30 volunteers each day, we’ve reached a major milestone: the spring capture and the filtration system, also known as the filtro lento, are now complete. This filter is located at the top of the mountain, near the main spring capture. That’s where the journey of determination for life-changing water begins for our team and volunteers.

Our team standing by the form for the spring capture

For the past seven months, rain or shine, volunteers have shown up to haul thousands of pounds of sand, cement, and rock, using off-road trucks, horses, and at the steepest parts, on foot. With sheer determination, they raced to move materials before the rainy season washed out the roads.

This project is about life-saving infrastructure that brings more than just water; it brings health, dignity, and a brighter future for families who have long struggled with water scarcity and waterborne illnesses.

Next up: Trenching the primary conduction lines to the system’s three pressure tanks, a crucial phase in this two-year project to bring safe water to all seven communities in the Ponsoña region.

This community project is made possible with the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and funded by Latter-day Saint Charities Australia. Thank you!

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Building Hope: Meet Galer and Oscar, Finding Promise in Ponsoña’s New School and Water Project

October 19, 2024 by Project Schoolhouse

By Adriana Banchs

With construction in La Ponsoñita in full swing, the air is filled with energy and excitement as community members anticipate the opportunities that lie ahead. Whether it’s the books in the soon-to-be library or the drinking water available just steps away from their classrooms, students are eager to share how this project will shape their daily lives and futures. Among those I had the privilege of speaking with were Oscar, a 4th-grade student, and his dedicated teacher, Geler.

From the moment I sat down virtually with Geler, it was clear how much love and togetherness permeates this rural, lush community. With over 20 years of experience as a primary school teacher, Geler reflected on his decision to trade teaching in his city for the long commute to La Ponsoñita. “I like it a lot more,” he said, as he painted a vivid picture of a tight-knit, supportive network of families and students. When he was hospitalized recently, Geler recounted how families visited him, bringing food and thoughtful offerings. It was a testament to the deep bonds he shares with the community—a place he clearly holds close to his heart.

While Geler spoke with immense gratitude for his school family, he also shed light on the significant challenges the community faces. As a teacher responsible for teaching 54 students from 1st to 6th grade, he balances an incredible workload. Teaching such a wide range of ages is demanding, especially when trying to meet the diverse academic needs of each student. The cramped conditions in the current school make this even more difficult.

Due to limited space, many students are taught outside, which becomes particularly problematic during Nicaragua’s rainy season. When rain forces the children inside, the small, overcrowded classroom makes it nearly impossible for them to focus. “Keeping all the students engaged becomes an issue, and the students get restless,” Geler explained.

He also shared insights into why students sometimes drop out, citing a lack of educational materials, long walks to school, and parents’ concerns about their children walking alone. One point that stood out was how quickly students’ backpacks and notebooks wear out, often damaged by the rain during their daily commutes.

Despite the current challenges, Geler remains hopeful and excited about the future for his students. He knows that the school will improve attendance, help the kids feel more welcome and comfortable in the space, and spark a greater love for learning in the community. “The community will have another vision for the future in both the children’s and parents’ lives” he told me. “The parents will see an environment that fosters learning,” referencing not only how the new school will satisfy functional necessity, but also boost morale throughout the community.

One student who shares this optimism is 13-year-old Oscar. He eagerly agreed with his teacher about the positive changes ahead. Oscar described his typical day as a student at La Ponsoñita, which includes a 30-minute walk through the mountains—sometimes alone, other times with friends. He brings water from a creek close to his house and hopes it will last him the full day. If it doesn’t he has to wait until he gets home to quench his thirst.

With dreams of his own, Oscar hopes to become an engineer, envisioning a future where he’s the one working on construction projects like the one transforming his community. Envisioning his school, Oscar is the most excited for the ample room, new books, and clean water. With all of these needs met, Oscar says it will be easier to pay attention at school and really dive into the lesson plans. Students will no longer be cramped, thirsty, and overwhelmed by the constant movement and noise. Oscar stated that the new school already looks beautiful, and he is proud to be a part of La Ponsoñita.

After hearing Geler and Oscar’s testimonies about being a part of this community, it is clear that La Ponsoña and its surrounding areas feel a sense of ownership and pride over the work that’s taking place throughout the region. They are not only looking forward to the completion of La Ponsoñita, but also to lasting change and growing opportunity in the lives of those around them, and those to come.