We have found the best way to make clean drinking water programs sustainable is to find established local leaders and organizations already taking action to improve living conditions in their own community. We take care up front, that there is a good fit in the organization charter and that there are sufficient resources to follow up with filter recipient questions and monitor health benefits. Meet Rita Defour and Julio Gonzales who exemplify what it means to be a caring local leader.
Rita, far left, has served the last 17 years as Director of Cornerstone Foundation dedicated to improve the lives of youth and adults in San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Belize. She was recently recognized for Women in Leadership by Maximum Radio and TV. Rita states, "There is no limit what we, as women, can accomplish".
Asociación Bendición de Dios is an NGO that has been working in the community of San Juan Alotenango since July 15, 2002. It was founded by Julio César García González who worked in the community public school system. Disadvantaged families and the need for education of its inhabitants led him to dream of being able to change the lives of boys and girls through education culminating in the establishment of Niños de Alotenango.
What started out as a makeshift wooden building is now 3 large brick buildings housing 450 to 500 students including pre-school, primary school as well as vocational training for both students and adults. This school is designed for those parents who cannot afford public education. According to Julió, ¨We firmly believe that everyone deserves opportunities and respect, so we are here to give them that helping hand and together make them achieve their dreams. We live their dreams and make them fight for them¨.
A collaboration between Care4oneAnother and Cornerstone Foundation was formed in June 2023 to bring clean drinking water to schools and villages in Belize.
Cornerstone Foundation, founded on July 18, 1999, is a solid, well run organization focusing on key issues impacting their community in and around San Ignacio, Belize. They have established a wide range of programs to empower individuals through education, awareness and support. Their programs are are rooted in humanitarian principals and offer programs for women’s rights, youth development, health, HIV/AIDS, Relief & Aid, literacy, and community linking.
In December 2022, Care4oneAnother founders met with the Director of Cornerstone to offer water filtration devices to individuals in need. It was immediately clear that this was a perfect fit.
In June 2023, filters were delivered to 2 schools as well as individual households providing more than 1,000 people with access to clean drinking water directly from their tap. In total, 240 filters have been installed impacting more than 2,000 people in Bullet Tree Falls, Santa Familia, Esperanza and Georgeville.
We started Care4oneAnother as a self-funded foundation in November 2021. What we accomplished in San Ignacio is only a small drop in the bucket, no pun intended. The enormity of what we found is staggering.. We recognize that we cannot save the world; however, I am sure that we can make a big difference in this small country of Belize. So, we humbly ask for a donation which is tax deductible, will go directly to purchase filters, and will be much appreciated. A donation of $40 will purchase one filter providing a family of four clean water for a life time.
Your donations are tax deductable. Use the Fed Tax ID number listed below.
Gaudiano Schuermann Care4oneAnother Foundation
Gaudiano Schuermann Care4oneanother Foundation Simpsonville, SC 29681 USA
Copyright © 2021 Gaudiano Schuermann Care4oneAnother Foundation - All Rights Reserved.
Care4oneAnother is a registered 501c3 “Not for Profit” organization. Federal Tax ID # 87-3493447