Day 6 - Final Day in Chuchurras

7 minutes ago

5 min read

Our work on the Chuchurras water distribution project is complete. This has been an immense undertaking for everyone involved throughout the entire project's life. Summarizing the project history brings a tear to my eye thinking about all the stories created, people's lives changed, and lifelong relationships developed during this time.

Our work started with the community in 2019 when Deepika led a team (Deepika, Chris, Brian Roth, Spencer, Josh, & Jackie) down to complete an assessment trip. We evaluated the options to bring water to the community and determined that a well would be the best option.

The team continued to work on alternative analyses and cost estimating to determine the scope of work for the project. Energy was high and design work was progressing until COVID shut down the world, stalling our work for years. This was a tough time for the team, Peru as a whole, and the community. For the community, contracting COVID meant being sent 8-hours away from your home and family to die in an overcrowded hospital in Oxapama. A few of our community friends got sick and recovered from home; while our contractor Benjamin got sick and took 6-months to recover.

From 2020 to 2022 we were unable to complete any work on the project with Peru's restrictions. The EWB team started to fall apart as members moved on to other ventures, with nothing to work on and no progress to show. During this time the community kept asking where we were and if we've forgotten about them; while I kept maintaining our commitment that we would eventually complete the project. Where other organizations and the government have let them down I was determined to fulfill our commitment to the community.

Finally in 2023 work progressed in the community. Remotely we taught Juan and Benjamin how to complete a well investigation to select a well site (hand augering, pump tests, sampling, etc.) to try and select a well site without ever seeing it. Without enough information, we selected a site and we started digging the well. It was not until the well was completed did we know there would be enough capacity to support the system, but thankfully it worked out and we had a well. Next we remotely built the well house. The well and building were unused for 8-months as our EWB team pushed to prepare for our first implementation trip. This was a massive undertaking to install 3,000-ft of pipe, tanks, pump, solar, and controls in a two week time span. And when my body failed me the team stepped up to get water flowing. Finally after 4 years we were able to start fulfilling our commitment to the community to build a water system. Travelers included (Chris, Brian, Rena, Phil, Jackie, Paige, Mark, Gareth).

For 2024 we expanded the system from 3 taps to 20, bringing water much closer to homes where the people can access it; and expanded the water storage from 10,000-liters to 50,000-liters. Travelers included (Chris, Brian Roth, Rena, Brian Rivers, Paige, and Derek).

Finally in 2026 we brought water to the farthest corners of the community on the north and south sides of Santa Rosa. This was another 3,500-ft of pipe and 6 taps. A main focus of this trip was on training the community in operation and maintenance of the system. Walking through each aspect in detail and providing them a chance to learn and ask questions. Travelers included (Chris, Brian Roth, Rena, Brian Rivers, Paige, and Derek).

The project would not be possible without our in-county partners.

-Meredith and Carlos Block, with Reach Global, originally worked with the community of Chuchurras. They worked with the community to complete an application to EWB-USA and our MN chapter applied and got the project. They worked tirelessly to make our travel and work with the community go as smoothly as possible. None of our work would be possible without their local expertise and passion for helping people in the Yanesha communities.

-Juan is our guy on the ground who commands the respect of the community. When we need to organize workers in the community or buy extra materials Juan gets it done all with a smile on his face.

-Sarai joined our work as a translator in 2023. Her ability to communicate our needs to the community and cross the cultural boundaries is invaluable to our project's success. She will also help you out to be less than the gringo price in items.

-The community of Chuchurras. We’ve brought resources and taught the people of Chuchurras how to build a water system, but they have taught us about strength in community, hope for future generations, and to make the most of what is available. We’ve learned so much about how to work together over the last several years including communicating using a combination of 4 languages - Spanish, English, Yanesha, and hand movements/sounds. Smiles, handshakes, and applause are universal between our cultures, and we have made many friends along the way. Their strength is something we will carry with us for years to come.

-Benjamin, our local guy for all our contractor needs. He built the well, well building, roof, and tank roof/slab. Additionally he travels the 12-hours from Iscozacin to Lima to order all the materials for each phase of the project.

-Estella and Ruth who cook our breakfast/dinner and lunches. And Liliana who hosts us at her hotel.

-The EWB-MN chapter supports our work through fundraising, organizing volunteers, and spreading the good word of EWB. Cole (current president) and Bob (VP of international projects) keep things running behind the scenes to enable all of our chapter’s projects. And Abigail who uploads these blogs and supports our chapters marketing to increase our outreach.

For the past couple of years our project team has consisted of seven main people.

1. Rena Weis, the co-lead and la jefa of the pipes. Who always finds the best souvenirs to bring home.

2. Brian Roth, our REIC who brings his wealth of experience with water projects, knack for explaining things to the community, and magic ability to point and make what he wants to happen get done.

3. Brian Rivers, our returned peace corps volunteer from Peru who led all of the operations and maintenance training with the community operators.

4. Paige Meskan, who brings her EWB experience and detail focus along with being the best EWB representative to the children around the community.

5. Derek Carlson, who created all the drawings to bring the project to life and who is the American muscle in the trip, turning all the stuck valves.

6. Mark Ryan, our EPA-NET pro who designed the pipe network, pump demand, and storage needs.

7. Chris Larson. I am El Jefe for the project and trips. Ensuring the necessary tasks are completed and a plan is followed.

For me EWB will always be about the people along the way. From the bonds made with travel teams to Peruvian friends we hold forever in our hearts. I have never done anything more impactful in my life than bringing something so precious and basic as drinking water to people around the world.

Signing off for the final time from Chuchurras. As we look forward to continuing our work in Peru helping more communities.

~Chris Larson

Peru Project Lead