HeadstrongWorks, Inc.
Dear Supporters:
Due to civil unrest and arbitrary law enforcement, we are unable to currently travel to Nicaragua. Although microloan funds continue to be recirculated and tracked by our community partners, we are suspending further donations until conditions improve in our partner communities.
Water Purifier Repair
 Group of friends at purifier |  Hole drilled for new PVC connection |  Community Cistern |
|---|---|---|
 PVC connecting purifier to cistern |  Raph drills into school wall |  Water access to cistern |
 Chlorine |  Sodium Hydroxide |  School boy at purifier |
 Outside Spigot |  Venturi Purifier |  New manifold for circulating water |
Nicaragua June 2013: Waswali, Nuestra Tierra, El Salto, San Jose, Yaule
This trip was undertaken in order to scout for one or two communities who would be interested in working with HeadStrong over at least a 3-5 year period of time. We looked for communities that demonstrated leadership capacity, visible efforts toward self improvement, and willingness to collaborate and contribute toward the improved development of their families and public services.
Waswali Elementary School
The drainage problem at the school is evident.
The school scrubbing sink is clogged, probably due to inability to properly drain during the rainy season.
The cistern sits on top of this handwashing station. A government sponsored submersible pump was recently put in. Luckily the double rope pump was left behind in case the community has difficulty making water payments.
The elementary school yard is huge and fenced in. Many trees and some small gardens have been put in by the students.
A view of the church and a home behind it next to the school.
Raph examines the handwashing station.
The preschool classroom behind the elementary school.
Matagalpa, Nicaraguga 2013
Working hand in hand with Puentes de Esperanza, we were able to ensure cleaner water access to approximately 500 people as well as explore Raphael Alvarado's building projects.
Our trusted bus (from Korea).
Prepping Cylinders for conversions. Nice sunburn lines.
Ready to go!
Rope pump to be converted. Alex and Ronaldo strike GQ poses in the back.
Discussing conversion of the pump.
Measuring well depth after removing the rope pump.
Ready for the head.
HAITI JULY 2012
Our first trip of five, with our mentor Rick. This was a chance to disseminate training, see how we work together, explore our skill sets, and see who can quip the best one liner under absurd circumstances.
You don't see this too often in Haiti.
With off roading in the near future, Wayne quickly thinks up a road worthy, quickly built rack and we all pitch in to build it.
Here we procured parts for repairs to come. Thanks Rick and Blue Ridge!
Got rack, parts, and Mukhtar-will travel.
Look how happy we are to get in the back of the truck. Must be day one!
First stop, Perpetual Secour Catholic Church. This well has been broken for some months.
Mukhtar and Lisa learn how to take a water sample and measure the well depth and size of the water column.
A local girl watches the action.
"Use what you have."
HAITI FEBRUARY 2012
Staci and Garth go with EDGE Outreach to Ranquitte, Haiti.
We kept saying, "Our moms would kill us!!"
Here is the airport at Pingnon, about a 30 minute flight from Port Au Prince.
"Gravity demands payment."
Nicaragua November 2011
In partnership with EDGE Outreach, Water Ambassadors Canada, and Puentes de Esperanza, Staci gets to know hand pump repair and conversion in Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
Inside the mission house at Puentes de Esperanza run by Rapheal Alvarado and and his lovely family. The food doesn't get any better than this!
The mission house was once a nightclub hence the multilevel backyard space. Now it's a peaceful oasis.
This young man remembers when an Italian non profit group put the well in when he was a small child. The well has not worked for 14 years.