Clean Water Initiative / Water Wells
HOW YOU CAN HELP
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
There is much to be done here in Roatan. Northern Arizona University, the United States Navy, over 60 missions teams, and numerous other individuals have found their place meeting the practical and spiritual needs of the people of La Colonia. Countless others have contributed immeasurably through their prayers and generous giving. Check our links below to find where and how you or your group can make a difference to the people of La Colonia.
Through our efforts, we can protect and save lives. Access to safe water has the power to turn time spent into time saved, when it’s close and not hours away. Access to safe water can turn problems into potential: unlocking education, economic potential, and improved health. Every human being deserves to define their own future, and water makes that possible. We’ve transformed more than 4 thousand lives with access to safe water and sanitation, and together we can reach even more people.
Living Water is a Christian Missionary Lead Project that engages the public and private sectors including Universities, corporations, civic groups, churches, foundations and private individuals to bring purified water and the message of Jesus Christ, the only source of “Living Water,” to the poor communities of Roatan, Honduras.
Honduras is the second poorest country in Central America, with approximately 63 percent of the population living below the poverty line. Many of the rural poor work as subsistence farmers, growing only enough food to feed their families and leaving little money for anything else. On the island of Roatan which is part of Honduras, there is no major economy to drive employment and the region is mountainous with little opportunity for
agriculture.
Across the country, more than one million lack access to improved sanitation, and 638,000 lack safe water. Communities on the island face the most challenges, as many people obtain their water from small springs that are unprotected, contaminated and often without water during the dry
season. Financial inclusion data has shown that low-income households in Honduras have limited financial capability and knowledge.
La Colonia is an area of 800 plus homes (over 5,000 people) that are divided into four sections, Belfate, Monte Carlo, Bella Vista, and Policarpo. They live in deplorable conditions similar to that of the Shanty Towns in old America. Until LW4R came to Honduras they only receive water from rainfall and collected the water in whatever way they can find. The water is already contaminated when they receive it. After 2-3 days in the hot humid tropical climate of Roatan, the growth rate of parasites is astronomical. Over 50% of all health problems in the children of the Colonia are due to parasites in their digestive tract. Children die daily due to Malaria and parasites. There is no water to their homes or schools.
Our primary purpose is very simple. We work to see lives changed through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our approach to this end is more broad in scope. There is actually a three-fold approach to this end. In the most simple terms, these efforts focus on:
- Ministry
- Sustainability
- Humanitarian
Touching the Lives and Hearts of Roatan
Of course, ministry is obvious. The community of Faith Church is the hub of this activity. Discipling converts, developing leaders, and reaching others are a few of the most basic ways Living Water 4 Roatan has been used by God to transform the lives of people in La Colonia.
Creating Solutions for Future Generations
Sustainability is a vital key element that will propel these efforts far into the future. LW4R strives to establish solutions that can be passed on to the successive generations after us to maintain a healthy, growing and impactful mission that will meet the test of time.
Clean Water
Our humanitarian platform is our water ministry. Meeting physical needs by providing clean water to the people of La Colonia is our inroad to many of the other things we do.
Through our efforts, we can protect and save lives. Access to safe water has the power to turn time spent into time saved, when it’s close and not hours away. Access to safe water can turn problems into potential: unlocking education, economic potential, and improved health. Every human being deserves to define their own future, and water makes that possible. We’ve transformed more than 4 thousand lives with access to safe water and sanitation, and together we can reach even more people.
We are a Christian mission effort that began in 2005 by Henry and Frances Zittrower to reach the people of La Colonia with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We started very small with a calling from God and hearts filled with compassion. Arriving on the mission field, we began meeting immediate physical needs through the humanitarian platform of providing clean water to the people. We also initiated our ministry with a bible study on the back porch. Looking back we see amazing progress. Into the future, we see incredible promise and hope. We hope you will consider being a part of all that God continues to do in Roatan.
We are a Christian mission effort that began in 2005 by Henry and Frances Zittrower to reach the people of La Colonia with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We started very small with a calling from God and hearts filled with compassion. Arriving on the mission field, we began meeting immediate physical needs through the humanitarian platform of providing clean water to the people. We also initiated our ministry with a bible study on the back porch. Looking back we see amazing progress. Into the future, we see incredible promise and hope. We hope you will consider being a part of all that God continues to do in Roatan.
Our Invictus youth program has a God-sized dream, which is to make disciples of Jesus of all children on Roatan–and this means all hands on deck! Here’s how you, your family, and your church or club can join this exciting movement of God.
MEET OUR TEAM
Humanitarian Clean Water
Our humanitarian platform is our water ministry. Meeting physical needs by providing clean water to the people of La Colonia is our inroad to many of the other things we do.
And HE gave them Living Water…
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10
The journey of Living Water began in September 2005 when Henry and Frances saw a little girl carrying two heavy containers from the Colonia in her hand. When asked what she was doing, the response…“she is carrying water to her home.” I remember saying out loud, “we can take care of that, “ not knowing what, “that” meant. We returned to states in April of 2006 to share our findings with the few churches that would allow us to share where we see God leading LW4R. Upon our return to Roatan at the end of April 2006, we heard from the local clinic that kids were dying in La Colonia due to drinking bad water. We immediately went to La Colonia to find people digging wells. This water has fecal and other serious health problems. We immediately went into the planning stages coming up with an emergency plan, short term plan and long term plan to get these people good water. We put together our emergency plan finding large trucks, large water containers, filling up the water containers with good water from our home well. What a sight this was like the people living in the Policarpo section of La Colonia would hear the noise of the loud trucks coming into La Colonia, we witnessed women, kids running from the hills with their empty buckets to fill them up with good clean water. Our next step was to have locals dig a trench from our well to a church in La Colonia where we connected a valve at the church so people could come and fill up their buckets.
On July 4th, 2007 we drilled our first well which is 375 feet deep providing 25 gallons of water per minute. We then placed several valves where people could come down and fill up their containers. In 2007 PVC pipes were purchased and laid several hundred feet of pipe throughout the community. From this everyone had a water valve outside of their homes. Today they receive water every 7 days and this water is purified.
In 2009 we drilled well number 2. This community is growing and as a result of the growth, they must wait 7 days to receive water. Also, we have trained locals from the community that volunteer their time to maintain the water system. Most easily and comprehensively understood, Living Water 4 Roatan is a humanitarian effort with an evangelical goal.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR TRIP
If you want to make a Kingdom difference, you’ve come to the right place. The Living Water Project is always looking for short term mission teams to come to the island and work with the people of La Colonia. If you want to make the journey, the first thing you will need to do is contact Henry Zittrower. His email is [email protected]. Henry coordinates and maintains the master schedule of planned mission trips. You need to work with Henry to ensure there is no conflict with another team and that on-site coordinators will be available. Once you have your mission trip on the master schedule, you need to prepare for the trip itself. Below is some helpful information you need to know.
First and most importantly, obtain your passport! Go to http://travel.state.gov/passport
Recommended immunizations (Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and Tetanus).
This a guideline and not a requirement for entry into the country. Your doctor or health-care provider should determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. Jacksonville Florida residents can contact Ellen
Terello at 904.798.4810.
Ellen is a registered nurse at Travel Clinic Jacksonville and can administer recommended immunizations. For more information go to
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/honduras.aspx
Obtain prescriptions for Malaria and Antibiotic (Cipro) from your family physician. Roatan, Honduras is very HOT and you should contact your physician to ensure you are healthy enough for the trip.
We recommended that you take garlic tablets prior to and during your trip, as this seems to help repel mosquitoes and sand fleas.
Learn some Spanish phrases, if possible. There are many free sites available online. A simple internet search will get your there, or check out www.studyspanish.com/travel.
Hold team fundraisers and send support letters well in advance of your trip. The normal cost per person is…
Airfare (varies)
$50 per person per day for food and lodging
$100 per person for supplies (depends on the project(s))
Airport Departure Tax ($37.35)
Airline and Flight Information
For airline and flight information go to http://www.roatanisland.net/transport.htm. Continental and Delta Airlines fly directly into Roatan, Honduras on Saturdays.
You may use other airlines to fly into San Pedro Sula, followed by a three-hour bus ride to La-Ceiba Honduras. From there you can take a 1.5 hour ferry boat ride to Roatan. You may also check with airlines in San Pedro Sula and fly into Roatan (no flights at night.).
For Ferry boat times and prices go to http://www.roatanisland.net/transport.htm.
You will be asked to complete customs forms during your flight. When filling in the customs form, indicate that the items you are carrying are “personal”, and that you are going to Honduras on a mission trip. If one of the forms or the immigration official ask where you will be staying in Roatan
Honduras, give the address:
Also, please consult these websites for the latest updates on travel guidelines and restrictions.
www.tsa.gov
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1135.html
- Passport. Upon arrival at the Mission Facility (Hotel) your passport should be given to Henry for safe keeping. Henry will return your passport to you at the airport for your return trip. Before and after you give your passport to Henry is IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYES ON YOUR PASSPORT! On the black market, passports can sell for thousands of dollars
- Money for souvenirs, etc… (small bills are best)
- Bug Repellent
- Flashlight
- Bible
- Journal and pen
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunglasses
- Hat/Bandana
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable Tennis shoes… you will be on your feet a lot and the terrain is rocky and hilly
- Water shoes or sandals
- Umbrella or poncho (October through December is the raining season in Roatan)
- Camera
- Extra batteries
- Back-pack or something to carry your water and other items during the day
- Waist Pouch (women – not advisable to carry a purse)
- Snacks (be mindful of the heat and do not choose snacks that will easily melt)
- Prescribed medicine (and Malaria and Cipro Medications)
- Over the counter medications (drug stores are not readily available) (i.e., Tylenol, Allergy medicine, etc)
It’s always good to bring a reusable water bottle
Light jacket. Although not needed for Roatan, the airports and plane are often chilly
Pack one set of clothing and personal items into a carry-on bag. There are situations where luggage sometimes does not make it with your flight. Typically missing luggage arrives the following day.
Often there are the size and weight restrictions. You should check with the airlines before leaving to see if there are any current embargos. Here are some other things to remember when packing for your trip….
Pack light-colored clothes and plan to mix and match skirts/slacks/shirts to save space. Most clothes are not wearable for more than one day due to the heat, so people should pack at least one outfit per day and a couple of extra shirts/undergarments
Women: Recommend that women be very conservative in their clothing. Short shorts & spaghetti strap tops are not recommended; mid-length shorts, pants, and skirts are appropriate.
Men: Recommend bringing long shorts vs blue jeans due to the heat (your decision will also depend on the projects you are doing)
At most island churches, women wear dresses or skirts and men wear professional casual dress. At our church, you may wear shorts.
Roatan Airport Information
The Airport is very small. We will pick you up from the airport in Roatan. You must first go through customs. They will verify your passport and place a slip inside your passport… DO NOT LOSE THIS SLIP. YOU MUST HAVE IT UPON DEPARTURE. You will then head to baggage claim to get your luggage.
Make sure you account for all of your luggage. You should coordinate all “tipping” forluggage with your Team Leader.
Once you collect your luggage, we will be right outside the door waiting to guide you to the trucks.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE OUR PHONE NUMBER: 3334-0002 (yes the number is correct). As of
February 2001, Airport Departure Tax has gone up to $37.35.
Lodging in Roatan
Henry will arrange places for your team to stay while in Roatan. The cost of food and Lodging is normally around $50.00 per person per day.
Money Matters
The Honduran currency is the Lempira and it has a value of about 18.9 Lempiras to one US dollar as of 2011 (Click here for the most current conversion). Dollars are usually accepted in souvenir shops and hotels. Smaller denominations are preferable.
We recommend you not wear flashy or expensive jewelry. We strongly recommend that you leave all jewelry with sentimental value at home.
NEVER LEAVE IMPORTANT ITEMS LYING AROUND AS THEY MAY DISAPPEAR. PLEASE KEEP UP WITH CAMERAS ESPECIALLY.
Guidelines
Be careful what you say in English as many of the Islanders understand English. Do not give money or gifts to individuals. Gifts should be coordinated through your Team Leader. Please be careful giving out candy, gum, and other favors, which could create a small crisis. This will spread quickly throughout the village and you will have more people than candy, etc…
In coordination with Henry, we strongly urge Team Leaders to prepare a daily agenda, outlining each day’s activities. We also recommend that you plan devotion time each day. Some teams have opted to have a time of devotion in the morning and some have opted to have a time of singing and devotion in the evening. This is the Team Leader’s call. We have found that having a time of singing and devotion in the evenings allows the team’s time to share their day’s experience and discuss “what went well” and “areas of improvement.” Please share the info with Henry.
Recreational Activities
Although you will be working hard on mission-critical activities during your trip, there will be some available downtime (at the direction and planning of Henry and your Team Leader). Honduras is famous for many water sport activities and home to some of the most inexpensive scuba diving available. Many teams have opted to spend their last day (Friday) at Gumbalimba Park.
Is Medical Assistance Available?
“Ms. Peggy”, Director of Clinic Esperanza provides medical assistance to the people of La Colonia. She may also be available to assist Teams. Alternatively, Anthony’s Key Resort (which is next to La Colonia) normally have two doctors on staff who also may be able to provide assistance.
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
Our program has a God-sized dream, which is to make disciples of Jesus on Roatan–and this means all hands on deck! Here’s how you, your family, and your church or club can join this exciting movement of God. Please fill out the form below and one of our Invictus team members will call you directly.