Greetings all,

I hope this finds you and your loved ones enjoying a happy and healthy holiday season.

You know, most charities grow up and move into big fancy offices. But after 53 years, Agua del Pueblo is still proudly small—and that’s a huge credit to you!  The People’s Consultants, aka Agua del Pueblo USA, keeps our costs low because we do not have ANY paid employees.  We are all volunteers!

We may be lean, but because of supporters like you, we continue to deliver life-changing, sustainable water and sanitation projects in Guatemala. If pride is a sin, then send us straight to the naughty list, because we are incredibly proud of what our tiny-but-mighty team accomplishes every single day.

Quick Update: The Bureaucratic Rollercoaster 🎢

You might remember us tackling a massive USAID contract a while back, aimed at improving life in high-emigration areas. Well, we hit a bit of a bureaucratic iceberg.   One year after we were awarded the five-year contract, USAID pulled the plug precipitously.  We were already a year into the work —we’re thrilled to report that our friends at the US Embassy and State Department, along with the Guatemalan Embassy, stepped up. They managed to secure a small portion of those original commitments, which means we can keep the momentum going. We always find a way!

Project Spotlight: The Incredible ROI of Clean Water

We've been busy collaborating with phenomenal partners, including Rotary clubs around the world. Here are a few projects we’re currently focused on:

1. Panimaquip, San Lucas Toliman: Our First Project Gets a Facelift

This is my current favorite. We’re working to rehabilitate AdP’s very first water system, which the community built 50 years ago in 1973. That’s right—our work lasts half a century! Indeed, Andy and I were the design team.  The community and its partners have already secured funding for the drinking water side, so now we’re tackling the sanitation and wastewater treatment.

Here’s the stunning part (and where your donation makes the biggest impact): The WHO says sanitation often provides better public health benefits than water alone. We can provide both clean water AND sanitation  for less than $150 per person for the rest of their lives. That’s an unbelievable deal—about the same as many Americans pay for a single month of water and sewer. Seriously, try getting that kind of ROI anywhere else!

Read more about the Panimaquip project

2. Vista Hermosa, Santa Lucia Utatlan 

We are also making progress on a comprehensive water and sanitation system in Vista Hermosa, working closely with the dedicated Rotary Club of Annapolis, MD.

Read more about Vista Hermosa

3. Las Canoas Baja, San Andres Semetabaj 

Working with Lagerborg & Associates, we’re planning what will be one of our largest projects in decades! This is a massive, comprehensive water, sanitation, and hygiene initiative for the community of Las Canoas Baja.

Read about the Las Canoas Baja project

Kick the Tires: Join Our Next Guatemala Visit

Want to see this impact for yourself? We always say the best way to understand AdP is to "kick the tires." There is nothing like meeting the people you continue to help. If you’re ready for an adventure you’ll never forget, join us for our next Summit visit!

Read about our upcoming trip

Thank you, as always, for being the foundation of Agua del Pueblo’s half-century of success. We can’t wait to see what amazing things we build together next year.

Viva la Lucha del Pueblo,

-Peter, Steve, Jose, Andy, & Bruce