Written by Board VP, Shannon Fohn
Thanks to extraordinary support and a lot of hard work, Project Schoolhouse and the communities in the La Ponsoña region have successfully completed Phase 1 of our ambitious two-year project to reach seven remote communities with clean water, schools and sanitation. Together, we’ve made life-changing progress.
Our 2025 accomplishments include:
- Four communities now have clean water systems and sanitary latrines, bringing health, dignity, and opportunity to 74 families.
- Two schools received critical additions and repairs, finished just in time for the start of the 2025 school year.
This progress did not come easily. This year brought unusually heavy rains, and transporting materials to the water source at the top of the mountain was harder than anyone imagined — trucks got stuck in the mud, roads washed out, and construction slowed. But communities didn’t give up, and neither did we.
One of the most complex parts of the project — building the shared mountain-top water infrastructure — is now complete. This includes the water source capture, slow-sand filtration system, multiple pressurization tanks, and chlorination units. All of the materials had to be hauled to the top of the mountain, an arduous trek by 4-wheel drive vehicles and, for the final stretch, by mules. This incredible feat will not only serve the four communities now benefiting but will also support the remaining three communities, 119 additional families, as we expand the distribution grid to the remaining communities in 2026.
All seven communities have poured a year of effort, sweat, and determination into this shared system, and they’ll continue working alongside us through Phase 2. Staying motivated over such a long and demanding effort hasn’t been easy and coordinating the labor of 7 communities has been a real challenge, but achieving Phase 1 has energized everyone. The finish line feels real — and it’s thanks to you.
Your generosity is transforming lives.
Thank you for believing in this work, for standing with these communities, and for helping make sustainable progress possible. Phase 2 is ahead — and with your continued partnership, we’ll reach even more families with clean water, strong schools, and brighter futures.
We particularly want to appreciate the partnership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Latter-day Saint Charities Australia, for trusting in Project Schoolhouse to deliver progress towards our shared mission, supporting our neighbors in need.
This is what Manuel Selva Garcia, Head of Construction, had to say about this great achievement:
“Hola, buenas tardes. Me siento agradecido y feliz por ese gran logro que hemos alcanzado. Ya que fue un gran reto haber terminado la primera fase, a base de dificultades, lo logramos con todo el personal de oficina y de campo. Esperemos seguir con ese entusiasmo el año que viene para la segunda fase de este proyecto.Y doy gracias a Dios por cuidar de estas lindas personas con las que siempre trabajamos de la mano, con respeto y coordinación. Este proyecto fue un gran desafío para mí ya que con el poco personal ísimos bastante.”
“I feel grateful and happy about this outstanding achievement we have completed. Completing Phase one was a major challenge, and despite many difficulties, we accomplished it together with our office and field team. We hope to continue next year with the same enthusiasm for phase two of this project.
I also thank God for watching over these wonderful people we work with, always hand in hand, with respect and coordination.
This project was a great challenge for me, but even with a very small team, we were able to achieve amazing things.”
– Manuel Selva Garcia
