- pollution reduction

-resource management

- safe water provision

-sanitation

-waste-management and treatment

- health and welfare

Level of Activity : Village

Ecosystem : Arid/Semi-Arid

Salud Para el Pueblo was jointly conceived and developed in 1991 by Rotary clubs in Ecuador and USA in response to a critical need for solutions in the prevention of water-borne diseases, reduction of infant mortality, provision of clean drinking water and sanitation, and prevention of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.

After careful analysis of each community's needs, the Rotary clubs worked with Public Health International (PHI) to create a sustainable public health infrastructure by training public health committees to identify and resolve community health problems. Development and maintenance of safe water supplies, latrine construction, solid waste disposal and vermin control were the focal areas of training.

Each public health committee appointed a village health educator to attend regional health education training seminars, increase public awareness and educate villagers.

Next, each village developed and implemented a self-sustaining water supply infrastructure to provide clean drinking water and sanitation, and a reduction in the incidence of cholera, malaria and dengue. Activities included the construction of 4,000 latrines (with private facilities for 79% of the families); the design and integration of piped water systems, and the development of guidelines for water use and maintenance and distribution of chlorinated water.

Efforts to control loose animals (thus protecting the water supply from contamination) were implemented, and a vector control program was established to eradicate malaria and dengue. Open village dumps were cleaned up to control the spread of disease. Commercial markets for recycled materials were identified and the villages are now actively recycling.