Water provided to a hospital, a jail, and a school in Honduras
By David Phillips
Although Puerto Lempira is on the Caribbean Sea, close to the Gulf of Mexico, bordering on a large inland lake, the need for fresh drinking water is a constant. The region is known for its breath-taking heat which, at time, is almost suffocating. The community is located on the second largest lagoon in the world, where shallow water prevents the docking of large supply ships.
Normally, drinking water is brought by ship, a trip that takes a day when everything goes well. Two to three days are needed for the trip, but if something goes wrong up to a week can be lost. The town of about 10,000 is known for its warm, humid, rainy tropical rainforest climate.
Consequently, many people in this town of go for days or even months suffering from a poor water supply. The town’s hospital used to enormous amounts. Under the metal roof, inmates in the jail constantly suffer from thirst. And in the elementary and high school, students lag, unable to be where they should be. An inadequate supply of water is the root of much poverty. Some students have missed months of classes after drinking contaminated water.
Over the last five years, LAM has been involved in several projects to supply clean drinking water. The simple, ingenious system filters the water, then sodium chloride with an electrical current running through it results in chlorine gas killing the bacteria. Out comes fresh water at a “neutral ph” value. Out comes a ready supply of fresh water, provided at a fraction of the cost of drinking water that people have to pay for it.
This system was established at the Puerto Lempira Community Hospital, much to the surprise and delight of the hospital staff. It was also a gift from LAM to the local federal prison, although, through a series of mishaps and misunderstandings, the system was disconnected. In August 2023, the system was re-activated once more following further instruction on how to use the taps, keeping the pipes attached to the purification (clarification) unit.
Most of the people, about 80%, are Indigenous Miskito, a mixture of Black slaves who escaped from islands in the Caribbean and intermarried with the local population. The local church through which Benjamin and Isabel Martinez, LAM missionaries, witness and teach, has an opportunity to show a marvelous side of the Gospel. We are reminded of the strong image of drinking water, where Jesus Christ encountered a thirsty Samaritan woman and led her to springs of living water. She went on to become the first evangelist and witness we encounter in the New Testament.
These boys stuck around the LAM short-term mission team as the water purification project was assembled. The ship is the supply vessel bringing all kinds of supplies to the city.
