16 voices
Elba, El Salvador
El Salvador, Elba
Water Is a Blessing
Elba is the legal representative of the ASAVAS Water Board in El Salvador, an organization committed to providing reliable water service to 685 families. Before 2005, families in the area did not have water in their homes and had to rely on the river, which could not meet the community’s needs and contained water that was not safe for human consumption. Thanks to a joint effort with Habitat for Humanity, the water system is not only operational today, but its quality has also been significantly improved.
”We do not do it for profit, but because we know the true meaning of having water in our communities,” says Elba. Her voice represents the community leaders who dedicate their time and effort to improving the lives of their neighbors. As we celebrate our fiftieth anniversary, we honor them and the blessing that access to water brings to their lives.
The water board in action
The name of this water board is an acronym that represents the union of four Salvadoran communities: San Miguelito, Azacualpa, Valle Nuevo, and San Silvestre. To ensure fair and equitable representation, its governing board is made up of three representatives from each of these communities, who work every day to ensure that water service reaches families in the best possible condition.
Today, ASAVAS provides water service to 685 families, a number that, according to Elba, continues to grow. However, life in the area was not always this way. Before 2005, none of these families had water in their homes. Elba clearly remembers how residents had to walk to the river to collect water, only to find that the flow was no longer sufficient to meet the needs of all the communities and that the water was unsafe for human consumption. Despite the risks, it was the only water available to them.
Water boards are community-based organizations that help ensure access to safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas. The management of these systems directly affects thousands of Salvadoran families.
Together, we build improvements for communities
The story of this water system is closely tied to the resilience of the community. The project began to take shape in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of 2001. Amid that challenging context, the Claretian missionaries arrived in the area and began supporting the construction of homes.
It was Father Ismael who promoted the drilling of the well and brought the four communities together under a shared vision. With his support, they succeeded in engaging the local government, which installed the pipelines and storage tanks. As a result, the project officially began operating in 2005, and today the communities celebrate nearly 21 years of uninterrupted service.
Over the years, residents have joined efforts to maintain and strengthen the system. More recently, that commitment led to further improvements when Guillermo, who has supported the community since 2005 and now works with Habitat for Humanity, returned to help identify the system’s most pressing needs.
After meeting with the board members and prioritizing key improvements, several critical upgrades were implemented. A master meter was installed to keep an accurate record of water extraction, along with individual meters for the community, and a lightning rod was set up to protect the pump from storms.
In addition, the electrical control panel was automated. This upgrade dramatically improved the quality of life of those responsible for operating the system, who previously had to wake up at two or three o’clock in the morning to manually manage operations and ensure that water reached every household.
The automation of the electrical control panel helps ensure a continuous water supply without requiring intervention from ASAVAS personnel.
Plans for the future
ASAVAS’s aspirations do not end with these achievements. The Water Board plans to expand its impact by building a wastewater absorption well to help protect the environment and by strengthening the physical infrastructure that houses the pump.
For Elba, managing this resource is not about making a profit; it is a deeply rooted commitment to ensuring that children and older adults can enjoy a dignified and fulfilling life. She considers home to be more than her house, her husband, her children, and her mother. With conviction, she says that the four communities they serve are her true family. To her, every resident has the same value and deserves the same level of care and attention.
Elba’s interview was conducted at the ASAVAS facilities. In the photo, part of the water distribution system can be seen.
As we celebrate our fiftieth anniversary, Elba’s story joins the 16 Voices of Habitat for Humanity. She reminds us that the true meaning of opening the door is helping others, sharing what we have, and finding joy through service. Let us open the door to opportunities that can transform the lives of even more families. If you would like to support projects like this in El Salvador, consider making a donation through Habitat for Humanity’s website. We also support similar initiatives in other countries. Contact us to learn more.
