Reconstruction Project - San Pedro de Suma, Ecuador
The University of Notre Dame Chapter of EWB-USA began working with members of the San Pedro de Suma community in Ecuador in September of 2018 to repair and renovate their primary and secondary schools. In April 2016, the community was struck by earthquakes which damaged parts of their local schools including classrooms, restrooms, and the surrounding schoolyard enclosure. Due to this damage, many classrooms were not safe for student use, but volunteer groups have since stepped in to reconstruct the most damaged classroom. However, further renovations are still needed.
The school currently has working restrooms, but they are overcrowded and not properly maintained, leading to issues with students' health and hygiene. Additionally, the lack of an enclosure exposes the school area to the surrounding farms which presents an issue in terms of school security. The majority of community members, as well as the school, get their water from a well in the community, but this water is not regularly chemically treated and so also poses a threat to people's health and well-being.
The installation of a school enclosure, improved restroom facilities, and a water treatment system will help ensure the safety and comfort of students as well as other members of the community. With better school facilities, students will be better able to focus on their education which will be beneficial for the futures of the students as well as the entire community.
The school currently has working restrooms, but they are overcrowded and not properly maintained, leading to issues with students' health and hygiene. Additionally, the lack of an enclosure exposes the school area to the surrounding farms which presents an issue in terms of school security. The majority of community members, as well as the school, get their water from a well in the community, but this water is not regularly chemically treated and so also poses a threat to people's health and well-being.
The installation of a school enclosure, improved restroom facilities, and a water treatment system will help ensure the safety and comfort of students as well as other members of the community. With better school facilities, students will be better able to focus on their education which will be beneficial for the futures of the students as well as the entire community.
Assessment Trip
Our chapter went on our first Assessment trip for this project from
December 27, 2018 to January 3, 2019. During this trip, our team planned to meet with community members to determine project priorities, collect data concerning the damaged structures, soil properties, and topography, and contact potential contractors and suppliers for further stages of the project. The team also evaluated space for a primary school cafeteria and cooperated with teachers in regard to technology and hygiene education programs.
The trip was wildly successful. Our team was not only able to assess the school facilities and gather necessary data, but also form positive relationships with the people of San Pedro de Suma. We look forward to returning soon and implementing sustainable and impactful solutions with this community.
More pictures from our trip can be found in the Gallery.
December 27, 2018 to January 3, 2019. During this trip, our team planned to meet with community members to determine project priorities, collect data concerning the damaged structures, soil properties, and topography, and contact potential contractors and suppliers for further stages of the project. The team also evaluated space for a primary school cafeteria and cooperated with teachers in regard to technology and hygiene education programs.
The trip was wildly successful. Our team was not only able to assess the school facilities and gather necessary data, but also form positive relationships with the people of San Pedro de Suma. We look forward to returning soon and implementing sustainable and impactful solutions with this community.
More pictures from our trip can be found in the Gallery.
Implementation Trip
We went on the first Implementation Trip from December 30, 2019 to January 10, 2020 where we successfully completed our plans to build a water treatment system for the primary and secondary schools and an enclosure for the secondary school. Our chapter also spent time continuing to build our relationship with the community and assessing their needs.
Before the arrival of the Notre Dame Chapter, a contractor and his crew poured the concrete foundations for each tower, welded the connections of the tower, and coated the steel members in galvanized paint. The contractor also dug the 150 meter trench, filled it with concrete, and set the horizontal and vertical rebar to establish the foundation of the enclosure. During our time in San Pedro de Suma, the contractor and his team continued to construct the enclosure, which involved laying and applying mortar to cinderblocks. Then, a wooden formwork was built in order to pour and shape the concrete columns and cap. As the columns were poured, the vertical posts for the chain link fence were inserted. Horizontal members of this fence were welded to the vertical posts, so that the chain link fence could be stretched across. In conclusion, the wall consisted of a concrete foundation, 1 meter of cinderblocks, and 1 meter of chain link fence.
The Notre Dame chapter and the community members dug 300 meters of trench throughout the secondary school. Then, PVC pipe was laid in the trench in order to reroute the water source through the chlorinator and water tank and then into the existing system. This connects the chlorinated water to the kitchen and bathrooms. At the primary school, about 150 meters of trench were dug to reroute the system through the new chlorination system. The existing system at the primary school was extremely weathered as it was not buried, so we also replaced and buried these lines. In collaboration with the contractor, we designed and built a metal cabinet to house and protect the chlorinator at each school. This was welded together and attached to each tower with screws.
Before the arrival of the Notre Dame Chapter, a contractor and his crew poured the concrete foundations for each tower, welded the connections of the tower, and coated the steel members in galvanized paint. The contractor also dug the 150 meter trench, filled it with concrete, and set the horizontal and vertical rebar to establish the foundation of the enclosure. During our time in San Pedro de Suma, the contractor and his team continued to construct the enclosure, which involved laying and applying mortar to cinderblocks. Then, a wooden formwork was built in order to pour and shape the concrete columns and cap. As the columns were poured, the vertical posts for the chain link fence were inserted. Horizontal members of this fence were welded to the vertical posts, so that the chain link fence could be stretched across. In conclusion, the wall consisted of a concrete foundation, 1 meter of cinderblocks, and 1 meter of chain link fence.
The Notre Dame chapter and the community members dug 300 meters of trench throughout the secondary school. Then, PVC pipe was laid in the trench in order to reroute the water source through the chlorinator and water tank and then into the existing system. This connects the chlorinated water to the kitchen and bathrooms. At the primary school, about 150 meters of trench were dug to reroute the system through the new chlorination system. The existing system at the primary school was extremely weathered as it was not buried, so we also replaced and buried these lines. In collaboration with the contractor, we designed and built a metal cabinet to house and protect the chlorinator at each school. This was welded together and attached to each tower with screws.
Next Steps and COVID-19 Response
During the most recent Implementation trip, our team evaluated the need for bathrooms in the secondary school. After discussing with leaders of the school and community, it became clear that this was not a primary need in the town. Instead, the members of the community requested that we chlorinate the main water supply to the entire town. At the time we planned on returning to San Pedro de Suma in the Fall of 2020 to evaluate the feasibility of community-wide chlorination and monitor how our past projects have performed since the implementation. We also planned an Assessment Trip for the Winter of 2020 to determine our next projects. However, the coronavirus pandemic that spread internationally throughout 2020 halted our plans.
About the Community
The community of San Pedro de Suma is located in the Manabí province of Ecuador, outside of El Carmen. San Pedro de Suma is a mainly agricultural community consisting of roughly 1,500 people. While it is rural, San Pedro de Suma has access to the internet, electricity, and running water. Our team connected with the community in September 2018 with the help of the NGO Fundación Redes Solidarias. Through La Fundación Redes Solidarias, we began forming a relationship with our in-country contacts and prepared to make plans for assessment trips and implementation strategies. Since then, we have been in regular correspondence with La Fundación Redes Solidarias which has been relaying information from the community to our chapter.