Safe Water Creates Economic Opportunity in Honduras: Denis’ Story

For 24 years, Denis has lived in Colonia Bethel, a community nestled in the mountains of northwestern Honduras. Many families relocated here after Hurricane Mitch hit Honduras in 1998, as the surrounding hills protect homes from flooding during the annual hurricane season. 

Since that infamous hurricane, Denis has seen many changes in his hometown. Not long after he moved to Colonia Bethel, the local government dug wells and installed pipes that brought water to each home in the community.  

With water flowing and the community thriving, Denis opened a store in the center of town where he and his wife, Claudia, sell everyday necessities like milk, butter, and canned products. Proceeds from their sales help them provide for their four children—Claudia, Karen, Denis, and Valentina. 

But in 2018, the wells dried up. Denis and his neighbors no longer received steady water piped to their homes. Instead, they had to walk to tap stands, buy bottled water, or pay a large sum to access unsafe water from the well of a wealthy landowner. 

Just like after Hurricane Mitch destroyed their homes, people found themselves without water. 

Lacking reliable water access forced families to relocate. “When the well dried up and we didn't have water, many people got desperate,” Denis said. “There were situations where many people emigrated from the community.” 

For Denis and Claudia, their livelihood depends on neighbors supporting their business. When people began to move away from Colonia Bethel, their family was directly impacted. 

Meanwhile, Denis struggled to get water for his own family. They received a small amount from their home tap, but it was never consistent and only flowed at odd hours of the night. This water was also unsafe and dangerous for their health. 

“We do not use [tap water] to cook or drink. It is only used for cleaning, washing clothes, washing dishes, and bathing,” he said. “Water to drink and cook is bought, treated, purified water.” 

To stay healthy and avoid drinking contaminated water, the family purchased large amounts of bottled water. This was a financial strain, especially in the summer months when the sun was hot and the children grew thirsty after playing outside. It was not a financially viable option for Denis’s family. 

Leaders in Colonia Bethel united with those in two neighboring communities, Nueva Esperanza and Villavinda, to find a solution to their lack of water. This is when Water Mission got involved, collaborating with community members to engineer a solution. 

We began working on a safe water project to serve all three communities. After the old wells dried up, another was dug, but the local government did not have the money to pump it to people’s homes. We are using this well as the water source for our project. A 20,000-gallon storage tank stores water for Colonia Bethel, with two other tanks servicing Nueva Esperanza and Villavinda. The project also boasts the largest solar array we have installed in Honduras thus far, with 208 solar panels providing energy even on the cloudiest day.  

The safe water project can produce up to 220 gallons of water per minute, serving approximately 1,665 people across the three communities. 

“It has been a door that God has opened for us to be able to achieve a project, something that…for our communities is very difficult, practically unattainable due to money issues,” Denis said, regarding how he felt when he first heard about the project. “We feel very satisfied to know that Water Mission is in our community, collaborating with us.” 

Denis is hopeful that the safe water project will bring people back to his community and help his business flourish once again. 

When you give, the impact stretches beyond safe water to every facet of life, including the ability to run businesses and provide financially. You can help parents around the world provide for their families with hope for a better future—the hope that Denis and Claudia now have. 

In celebration of Father’s Day this month, will you prayerfully consider giving so that families like Denis’s can have reliable access to safe water in their homes?