As a first step, we organized a committee of local residents, and encouraged them to decide which families need and deserve our help the most. We also assisted them in forming an official association of residents. This puts them in a much stronger position when petitioning their local government to provide better water, sewage and electrical services. Thankful residents of the Km 21 slum receive canned foods Neighborhood residents say that there is already more giving and helping between families and less violence in the streets. They credit this to the organizational efforts of the project volunteers, as well as to their willingness to visit with and counsel families on a regular basis.
Charlotte is enthusiastic about all the improvements.
A sewer system has already been started which, when finished, will eliminate the present open sewer canals that run between wooden shacks. Abandoned children are bathed and groomed to come to the meetings. But perhaps most importantly, people who had lost all hope have begun to care again and believe that if they contribute what they can, it will make a difference.