Workshop in Tegucigalpa

In mid-November I attended a workshop in Tegucigalpa regarding the Biosand water filters. Around 20 people attended the meeting...most from Honduras, but also some from Guatemala and El Salvador. There were attendees from International Aid, Agua Pura para El Mundo(Pure Water for the World), SODIS, the Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, Escudo de Fe, Living Water, and others.

The workshop was billed as an interchange of ideas for Biosand filter project implementors. I was very glad to have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who had a great deal more experience than I do with filter project implementation. Also, since I was one of only two gringos there, I gained valuable insights into the cultural aspects of this type of development work.

The workshop underscored the need for changes in the S4H processes. I was particularly interested in learning about the Latino perspective on gringo projects in Central America. I was very pleased with the open and honest commentary I received from the other attendees. I've learned to be a lot more sensitive to these issues now.

The folks from Agua Pura had some interesting input regarding implementation methods. They have over 15,000 filters installed in Honduras. They invited me me attend one of their workshops in Copan Ruinas. I hope to be able to get some additional support raised so that I can attend one of their workshops in early 2008.