In March I worked on a water project in Los Guayuyos Abajo. It’s a town that lies disconnected from the rest of the surrounding area because the only way in or out is through a river who’s water level  reaches your ankles on a dry day, but becomes totally impassable after a rain. I met an older lady named Neneda in this town who’s smile and energy was so bright I went back to her house every day for more. She told me that as long as the river is low, she visits her mom every week in Loma Vieja, a nearby town that received a water project in 2017.

This month, I went back to Loma Vieja for a sanitation project. I was stopped by an older lady who’s bright smile was magnetic even with a few teeth missing. She told me she was grateful for BLUE because not only had the water project changed her life, but so many people in the entire region, including her daughter that lived in Los Guayuyos Abajo. I pulled up a picture of Neneda and asked if that was her daughter, and she beamed in disbelief and said it was! 

Between the physical work and tending to a group of volunteers, I don’t get much time to sit and talk with that many people during my time on projects, so this connection to me felt as rare as finding treasure. It’s a testimony to our reach as an organization. BLUE is reshaping entire regions by chipping away at water poverty one community at a time.