Oxlajuj B’atz’
A project of
Asociación Tejedoras Unidas
(United Weaver’s Association) Funded 2007

Unclean water is a major health concern in rural communities of families who live on very scarce resources especially amongst children (some extreme cases of bacteria causing diarrhea and dehydration have even been fatal.) Yet by one simple step of providing access to clean water, women and their families will be healthier and many common illnesses that once kept them from performing daily tasks will be eliminated-- small step, major accomplishment!

In the first weeks of September 2007, the Oxlajuj B’atz’ (OB) educational project for Mayan women weavers and artisans successfully delivered 180 eco-water filters to 12 participating groups.  These groups live in rural communities throughout the highlands of Guatemala and Rabinal in the department of Baja Vera Paz.  Thanks to the generous grant from the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, to date every participating group in the OB project has obtained an eco-filter for clean household water. 

The Eco-filter Clean Household Water Project was a collaboration between OB and the Family Association of the Americas (FAA).  Along with workshops on women’s reproductive health, medicinal plants, and nutrition, FAA fabricates and delivers eco-filters.  Each delivery includes a workshop by FAA on how to properly clean and care for the filter as well as a talk on the importance of hygiene and preparation of a household remedy for diarrhea and dehydration. 

The unit that holds the water is a 5-gallon plastic container but what actually filters the water is a recipient made out of clay that is porous and baked with a natural substance called colloidal silver.  It is recommended that the filter be replaced every year to 1 ½ years depending on the quality of the water being poured through it.  The filter kills bacteria of any class of water including from lakes, rivers, or streams.  In other words, in the event of a disaster like a hurricane or for any other reason that the town’s water sources have been shut down or destroyed, the women can go to the nearest stream and collect water that will be drinkable once poured through the filter.

It is important that the women contribute in some way, no matter how small, rather than just receive handouts.  Various experiences have shown us that they tend to place more value on that which they commit time and/or money.  In this case, the women collaborated in the cost of the filter by paying Q25 ($3.30) (Q==Quetzales) each of the Q250 ($33) cost.  Q25 was a reasonable amount that the women would be able and willing to pay especially considering how much they are saving from the cost of buying purified water or wood to boil water each time--not to mention the added convenience of having clean water readily available with very little hassle.  Each beneficiary was also obligated to attend the FAA workshop upon receiving a filter.