TPRF Aid Brings Water, Sanitation to Village In Northern Ecuador

Model project funding results in pipe replacements, system overhaul

LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A grant of $15,860 from The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) has helped finance a complete overhaul of the water-supply system serving the citizens of the village of Paragachi, Ecuador.

The project was carried out by the nonprofit Fundacion de Ayuda Social Montanas de Esperanza (Mountains of Hope or MdE), not only for the people who live in Paragachi, but also to serve as a model to be used in other communities in northern Ecuador, according to Mr. Murtha, MdE president.

"Mountains of Hope has achieved an amazing result," said Linda Pascotto, TPRF President. "They have managed to provide an ongoing source of clean water for an entire village for less than $35 per person. The new system also paves the way for future economic development and autonomy for these people."

Murtha said the project completely restores the Paragachi community's irrigation system by replacing deteriorated pipes with an improved, better-quality product. In addition to renovations of storage tanks, he said workers also installed new suspension rigging over ravines and a new primary intake pump at the water's source.

The results include a comprehensive distribution system running under the village streets to bring water to each family's potential garden area. A local water board will oversee access for the second phase of the plan, which encourages each household to start a productive organic garden.

"TPRF funding assured us of a dependable supply of irrigation water sourced from the extensive regional aqueduct system coming from mountain lakes," Murtha said.

He added that, long-term, this will increase family income through the sale of excess produce, guarantee a source of food in times of drought, allow villagers to grow trees and flowers, supply water for animals, and generally turn the parched, dusty environment of Paragachi green.

TPRF and MdE previously worked together in 2008, when MdE delivered food supplies to Ecuadoran families displaced by coastal flooding.

About The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF)
The Prem Rawat Foundation promotes Prem Rawat's message of peace and his vision of addressing fundamental human needs so that people everywhere can live with dignity, peace, and prosperity. For more information, visit: www.tprf.org.

SOURCE The Prem Rawat Foundation

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