Message From Richard Seivert

Vallecillo Water Project


Greetings from Gehlen Catholic and Mission Honduras. With Springfield Catholic High already back home and St. Thomas More currently in Honduras I thought I would take a moment to explain the water project in Vallecillo. I realize I should have done this weeks ago on this blog – I apologize.

In any case just let me begin by saying that this water project is the largest we have ever done. The money to support this effort came from two sources; International Rotary Grant money and a small amount from Mission Honduras LeMars.

Vallecillo is a big and sprawling area of hills and mountains – you are either going up or you are going down. There is very little flat area in the whole village. Thus, when you dig, carry rock or cement, it becomes very difficult. There are approximately 710 people that live in Vallecillo in 104 homes. Our ultimate goal is to bring fresh clean drinkable water to all those homes. But, the main water lines that both teams have worked on during their respective missions, is about 7 kilometers in length - thus, the 7 kilometers of trenches that the kids talk about on the blog and you see in some of the photos – a daunting task to say the least. We knew going into this Vallecillo project of the improbability of completing this with all three groups. As has occurred in a few other villages in the past we will require the village to complete the job until water is flowing. That was the deal we made with the village leaders in July, 2010, when we committed to this mission.

The water lines are only one part of this effort. There are three natural water sources in Vallecillo, thus, no need for a well. One of our big efforts will be to construct or repair water dams (pressa’s) at each natural water source – to capture the water. Other major tasks are the construction of a 5,000 gallon water tank – a cement and brick tank above ground that will be fed by the water dams and the repair of an existing 5000 gallon tank higher in the mountains and repair the water source to that tank that has been a source of water for some of the homes. Of course we also must dig lines between the water sources and the tanks. The tanks in turn will gravity flow the water through the main water lines to each home in the village. Thus, the water sources and tanks must be higher than the homes, thus achieving the kind of pressure needed. I hope this rather tardy explanation helps everyone who reads this blog understand the enormous task these young people and adult volunteers have taken on. I doubt if any of them will be fully satisfied until they see pictures of water flowing in Vallecillo. These young people from Springfield Catholic and St. Thomas More have been amazing. Both schools and communities can be very proud of all they have done and continue to do. Please continue and read yesterday's blog from the St. Thomas More team.