WEFTA Partners with Suma Jayma to Provide Manual Water Pumps to Bolivia’s Guallaqueri Community
Eleven families are the latest beneficiaries of new manual water pumps in the Guallaqueri community of Bolivia’s Altiplano. Guallaqueri is located in the municipality of Laja in Los Andes Province. The installation project, completed in a period of seven months in 2024, was carried out through a joint effort of WEFTA, Spirit of Christ Catholic Church, Suma Jayma, and indigenous residents.
Each family contributed in-kind labor and were provided training along with the necessary components for constructing concrete well rings, lids and slabs in preparation for the hand pump installation. The Suma Jayma team constructed the hand pumps that were then installed with the help of the families. Each family also received operation and maintenance training to help ensure the pumps are properly maintained for long-term sustainability. Additionally, hand washing and water use instruction was provided. Cooperation was the hallmark of this project, as community authorities and families worked supportively in groups, lending assistance to one another.
WEFTA continues to collaborate with Suma Jayma to improve water access for communities in the Bolivian Altiplano.
