Client
A partnership between Arup and Engineers Without Borders
Description
As part of the Community Engagement Global Challenge, Arup worked with Engineers without Borders (EWB) USA and the local community in Chiché, Guatemala, to construct a new potable water system that would provide access to running water to more than 700 people in a small rural town. The system was built on the support and involvement of volunteers from the community.
In addition to the new water infrastructure, we complemented our project with an educational program around hygiene and sanitation. We held workshops on the importance of handwashing and latrine use. Taking into consideration the cultural, social, and linguistic characteristics of the community, all materials were translated into K’iche (the local language) and featured illustrations that reflected life in the rural settlement to engage with those who are unable to read.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene education program for a rural community in Guatemala
To make these workshop materials available for facilitators of similar projects, I developed a workshop guide that includes tips and lessons learned for conducting a sanitation and hygiene workshop in rural settings, as well as links to a workshop agenda template, workshop exercises, and materials.
My role and process
I developed a hygiene and sanitation workshop, which was customized to this community’s needs, creating materials and illustrations to share the importance of handwashing and latrine usage. In addition, I created educational materials including a brochure and a poster that were distributed in the community.
