Health & Sanitation

SCP works in several areas to improve health and sanitation. These include:

Construction of wells with covers and manual pumps

SCP provides funds for bricks and cement, while Chacocente community members themselves are responsible for the digging and construction of the wells and covers. The cement covers are made with holes for insertion of a rope pump. These Nicaraguan-made manual pumps, easy to use and fast, are one of the SCP’s most appreciated improvements.

As of 2018, SCP has provided funds for 145 wells and 192 pumps.

Water filters

These filters are very basic. An unglazed clay pot sits inside a five-gallon pail fitted with a spigot. Water is poured into the pot.  Amazingly, the water coming through this filter is purified from contaminants and even pathogens. 

 Most families and schools in five communities have been provided with these drinking water filters. Villagers have told us that kidney health has greatly improved, thanks to the filters.  As of 2018, SCP has provided 361 water filters for village homes and schools.

Latrine Construction

These family-built outhouses have improved health in communities which formerly used the forest floor as their toilet.  People have noted that their village pigs are also now free of disease.

SCP provides the bricks, cement, preformed cement seat, and metal sheets for this project. Over the years, SCP has funded 282 owner-built latrines in the villages.

Medicines and Physician Cooperation

SCP cooperates with the main government public health center in Santa Teresa, and also its rural outpost clinic in La Pita, close to Chacocente.  

SCP funds a certain amount of basic medicines each year, with the understanding that these will be used for the members of our project communities.  SCP Board members often bring medical equipment donated by the Richland Hospital.  We fund motorcycle transportation costs for the La Pita doctor to do regular consultations in each village.

Village Health Promoters

This volunteer network of Chacocente villagers, mostly women, plays an important role in the health of these remote communities. 

For a number of years SCP has contracted with the La Pita doctor to give regular workshops, teaching the promoters health care, first aid, and basic medical procedures.

Community Health Centers

In 2017 SCP provided materials to build a new community health center in El Terrero, the fifth of these small village clinics funded. They are used by the health promoters and visiting doctors.