CLEAN WATER PROJECT

The community of San Juan de Yanayacu lies south of Iquitos in Northeast Peru, along the Yanayacu River, a tributary of the Amazon. For generations, families have depended on the river for cooking, bathing, cleaning, and drinking. But without filtration or disinfection, the water carries dangerous pathogens and pollutants, causing frequent outbreaks of waterborne illnesses. Children have been the most affected, often forced to miss school to seek medical care.

In response to this urgent need, the Rotary Club of Evergreen, Colorado, in partnership with the Nevada Building Hope Foundation, Grand Amazon Lodge, JVA Engineers, and the Rotary Club of Iquitos, pioneered a clean water initiative for the village. Planning began in 2021, with research and budgeting laying the foundation for a sustainable solution.

By 2024, the project moved into construction. Mr. Armin Vasquez of Vasquez Engineering, Iquitos, was contracted to design, build, and maintain the system, while NBHF Peru Director, Dustin Pinedo Gonzalez, supervised on behalf of the Foundation. What made the project truly remarkable was the commitment of the community itself. Men, women, and children all took part, hauling sand from the riverbank to contribute to the construction. Their involvement not only strengthened the project but also deepened their sense of ownership and pride.