Agua del Pueblo


Agua del Pueblo is a private, non-profit, non-denominational and Guatemalan organization. AdP has completed more than 900 integrated rural water, sanitation and community development projects serving more than 500,000 Guatemalan citizens. AdP is the oldest non governmental organization focused on rural water supply and sanitation in the world.

Establishment

A team of young, international volunteers founded "Agua del Pueblo" in 1972 in San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá, Guatemala. Agua del Pueblo is a private, non-profit, non-denominational organization. Agua del Pueblo was incorporated in 1973 in the State of Missouri as "The People's Consutants. The US Internal Revenue Service classifies the People's Consultants as a 501 public charity. Researchers have studied the impact of AdP projects on economic development, community development and health. Agua del Pueblo's headquarters is in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, and has regional offices in Coban, Alta Verapaz and Poptun, Peten.

Mission

AdP's prime directive is to promote, advise, direct and generate financing for non-profit activities related to community development and the introduction of potable water, latrines and other aspects of environmental sanitation in rural and urban communities. AdP's aims are to: a) Build potable water and sanitation systems; b) Promote rural and urban development. c) Cooperate with any organization in drinking water, sanitation, education and community development, including training of appropriate personnel. d) Research the impacts of such projects on public health and economic development and e) Participate in international, state, municipal or private projects with similar goals.
AdP focuses on the poorest of the poor throughout the highlands of Mayan Guatemala. For that reason, AdP's board prioritized the departments of San Marcos, Huehuetenango, Quiché, Totonicapan, Quetzaltenango, Solola, Retalhuleu, Suchitepequez, Chimaltenango, Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz and Peten. AdP views water and sanitation projects as a means to the end of conscious-level raising and rural development. AdP favors projects based on renewable energy with minimal operation and maintenance requirements. Education and community organization form the foundation of AdP's work.
The Guatemalan government incorporated the Association of Agua del Pueblo on May 22, 1981 and registered the Association on 6 July 1981. The Guatemalan “Association of Agua del Pueblo” is included in the Registry of the Municipality of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Book 1 NGO.
The State of Missouri incorporated in 1973. AdP’S founders established the People's Consultants to support AdP's work around the world. The US Internal Revenue Service recognizes the People's Consultants as a 501 non-profit organization.

History

In 1972, volunteers from the , the Maryknoll's Ixcan Project and San Carlos University's school of social work founded Agua del Pueblo. Father John Goggin sponsored AdP's first water project in Tzalamabaj, San Lucas Toliman. Sr. Benito Pic directed the project. Sr. Pic's son, Don Oscar Pic Solís, eventually became the first re-elected mayor of San Lucas Toliman.
With the help of Jerry Carmody, Bruce Clemens incorporated the organization in St Louis Mo. Jerry was in Law School at St. Louis University. Ms. Louise Clemens was the first registered agent. The Board included Tom Gullette, Bill Copacino and Bruce. In order better describe the breadth of Agua del Pueblo's goals, the Board incorporated the organization under the name “The People's Consultants”. The name was later modified to “The People's Consultants aka Agua del Pueblo USA”.
led AdP's next project in Pampojila and Panimaquib was one of the first rural pumping water supply project in Guatemala. The project had a significant impact on improving the plight of indentured servants in Guatemala's south coast. Sr. Andres Tos Toy led the first successful strike against a large absentee landlord.
One of the original goals was to “Guatemalize” AdP. In 1979, AdP began incorporation as an independent Guatemalan non-profit “Asociacion Pro Agua del Pueblo ApAdP”. Lic. Carlos Gomez was the first Director of the AdAdP.

Accomplishments

Agua del Pueblo has: