{"id":7742,"date":"2025-06-03T19:36:06","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T19:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fundacioncapital.org\/?p=7742"},"modified":"2025-10-17T19:06:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T19:06:53","slug":"construir-lazos-de-agua-en-paraguay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fundacioncapital.org\/eng\/construir-lazos-de-agua-en-paraguay\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Water Ties in Paraguay"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Escrito por: V\u00edctor Ort\u00edz<\/a>. Director Adjunto de Agricultura Sostenible y Acci\u00f3n Clim\u00e1tica para Fundaci\u00f3n Capital en Paraguay.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ykuaa: When Water Builds Connections<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In Paraguay, the construction of aqueducts and treatment plants is the government\u2019s responsibility. Once completed, the infrastructure is handed over to the community, which organizes itself through Water Commissions responsible for managing and maintaining the systems. To connect to the water and sanitation network, individuals must pay a connection fee, carry out the required home adjustments, and adapt their kitchens and bathrooms to ensure proper water use. For low-income households, the cost\u2014about 140 USD\u2014plus the additional home adaptations can be prohibitively expensive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between August and October 2021, in the town of Iturbe, Paraguay, a vehicle with loudspeakers drove through the streets, accompanied by messages on local radio. The voice of a neighbor could be heard saying: \u00abSince we connected to the sewer system, there\u2019s no more humidity or bugs. (\u2026) Take advantage, godfather, there are likely to be installment plans for connection and all the materials. Very soon, the sewer system will arrive in your town, and you\u2019ll be able to ask the Sanitation Board to connect your home.\u00bb <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This message was also broadcast in San Pedro del Ycuamandyy\u00fa, Capit\u00e1n Miranda, Fram, and Yh\u00fa, reaching over 9,150 people\u2014most of whom had no access to sanitation systems. What does this lack of access mean? It increases the risk of household contamination and directly affects the health of families, especially women and children. In Paraguay, only 895,010 people are connected to the sanitary sewer system (ESSAP, 2021). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sanitation Association of the City of San Pedro del Ycuamandyy\u00fa<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In response to this reality, we joined efforts with One Drop<\/a> and the Mois\u00e9s Bertoni Foundation<\/a>, as part of the Lazos de Agua<\/a> program, to build an alliance aimed at strengthening the financial capacities of all actors involved in the water value chain: individuals, the financial ecosystem, neighborhood committees, water boards, and micro and small businesses in the construction sector. We wanted more people to get connected\u2014so that water would no longer be a barrier, but a bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We began by working with financial institutions to design tailored products such as savings accounts and low-interest microloans. This gave families the financial resources to connect to the system once construction was completed and to make the necessary home improvements. We engaged the National Development Bank, private banks, and local cooperatives\u2014institutions with a strong community presence and deep commitment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An essential part of this work was strengthening people\u2019s financial literacy so they could understand these products and begin saving formally with the aim of accessing sanitation services. Through the campaign Amopor\u00e3 che roga, amopor\u00e3 che ciudad (\"Beautify my house, beautify my city\"), we delivered a positive and relatable message across five cities, encouraging home improvements as a contribution to collective well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also supported micro and small enterprises (MiPymes) that supply materials for household improvements. The community strongly voiced the need to strengthen the local economy. As a result, local business owners participated in training sessions on financial education and the use of social media, and they offered products and services at affordable prices. These trainings were delivered via short videos shared on WhatsApp and supplemented with mobile-downloadable digital tools. Water Commissions also received financial training, with a focus on business planning to ensure the sustainability of the systems they manage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology as a Gateway to New Opportunities<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To further strengthen people\u2019s capacities, we used a digital personal finance education app (EFI) developed by Fundaci\u00f3n Capital in Paraguay. The tool, designed for Android phones, includes five self-paced modules totaling approximately ten hours of learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, in collaboration with Fundaci\u00f3n Mois\u00e9s Bertoni, we worked with the Sanitation Boards to help them continue promoting the knowledge acquired and the available financial services. The communication pieces used in the campaign were well received: on Facebook, we reached an average of 40,000 views per month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00abIn San Pedro, there are very low-lying areas, and during the rainy season, septic tanks flood, creating a risk for everyone. With this connection, we don\u2019t have to worry about that anymore. That\u2019s why I encourage my neighbors to sign up and connect\u2014because the benefits are immense.\u00bb <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Aurora Servi\u00e1n, participant in the initiative in San Pedro del Ycuamandyy\u00fa<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mrs. Aurora knows that being connected to the sewer system is essential for her community\u2019s development and for building meaningful water ties. Like her, we know that access to clean water and sanitation services, their sustainable supply and care, are fundamental for sustainable development and represent a key asset for communities most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On World Environment Day, we reaffirm our commitment to align our actions with sustainability\u2014strengthening resilience, adaptation, and climate change mitigation. We do so through high-quality digital and financial education that equips communities to face these challenges\u2014with water at the center and the community as our greatest ally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To learn more about our initiatives, follow us, reach out, and share. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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