
Last month we broke ground on the multi-community water, sanitation and school project in the region of La Ponsoña, Matagalpa. This first stage of the project will build the spring capture, water tanks and distribution lines that will ultimately provide safe, potable water to the homes and schools in 7 communities, as well as build sanitary latrines, handwashing stations and schools in each community.
The water project started by hauling equipment up the mountain and hand-clearing the work site. Shortly after, the task began of collecting boulders from the river that will be used to form the first stage of the water filtration process.
Coordinating 7 communities of workgroups is a monumental task in itself, and in this photo are community leaders meeting with Project Schoolhouse staff in our offices in Rio Blanco.
The first school we tackled in this multi-community project is La Ponsoñita. I’ve been visiting this school for years now, and I am relieved that we finally secured the funding to renovate the existing building and add 2 additional classrooms. The student body of 54 students has outgrown this small classroom, and sadly, a colony of bats has taken up residence in the ceiling, leaving children vulnerable to possible contagious and respiratory health risks.
We’re happy and relieved to share that we have torn out the old ceiling to be replaced with a new one. These students should have a beautiful new school by early 2025!




Stay tuned for upcoming updates on this new project through the year!