The American Red Cross has completed or is supporting water and sanitation projects in several dozen communities throughout Guatemala. These projects occur in all kinds of terrain such as mountains, valleys, mangrove swamps and the Pacific coast. Some of these water systems were damaged by Mitch. Others are brand new projects bringing water and latrines where they never had any before. Each location presents its own challenges.
Some communities are inaccessible to four-wheel drive vehicles, and the only way in is on foot.
An interesting point about these projects is that the American Red Cross is not just walking in and doing all the work. Before construction even begins, the Red Cross requires the formation of a local water board to oversee the community's responsibilities for the project. Training for the board is provided by the Red Cross. Additionally, each family in the community is required to have someone work more than 400 hours on the project. This can involve clearing land, or even digging the ditches where the plastic water pipes will be laid.