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Rutland, Vt. – This winter, Pure Water for the World will more than double the number of water, sanitation and hygiene education beneficiaries it reaches through the launch of Central America’s first Water Expertise and Training (WET) Center.
Set to open in 2014, the Honduras-based WET Center will provide training, technical consulting and educational resources to local NGOs, government agencies and community groups working to provide some of the regions most vulnerable communities with clean water and safe sanitation.
“There are many organizations doing impressive and necessary work in the field,” said Pure Water for the World Executive Director Carolyn Crowley Meub. “However, many nonprofits work in rural, often isolated communities. They have limited opportunity to access affordable technical support and training services, build their expertise and share their best practices with others.”
Through a financial and technical partnership with the the Canada-based Center for Affordable Water Technology (CAWST), Pure Water for the World will provide these services to over 30 water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)-focused organizations located throughout Latin America.
“Pure Water for the World is committed to building local capacity and promoting sustainable projects,” said Meub. “We are thrilled to be partnering with CAWST on this project, and look forward to engaging with organizations working hard to meet crucial water and sanitation needs across the region.”
This is Pure Water for the World’s second WET Center partnership with CAWST – the two nonprofits currently operate a Caribbean WET Center in Haiti that launched in 2013.
The Honduras center will serve Central America. CAWST operates 6 additional centers around the world.
There is a significant gap for sustainable WASH services in Honduras and throughout Central America and a distinct opportunity to build the capacity of existing organizations.
