Investigating Rural Community Housing and Sanitation Needs 

La Libertad, El Salvador

Two entry to intermediate level placement with the infrastructure department of a national NGO. The infrastructure department provides poor communities with good housing and sanitation. Project involves conducting a detailed needs assessment for communities in the La Libertad area.

Project Information

Many communities within El Salvador are suffering from an inadequate housing and sanitation. The goal of this project will be for EWB-UK volunteers to assess the current housing and sanitation provision within communities in El Salvador, and the risks their current living conditions expose them to. Also, volunteers will put the community’s situation into the wider perspective of similar situations faced by other communities, and what has been done to improve them.

Volunteers will produce a risk assessment and action plan for the future, suggesting ways to bring about improvements, for reference of both REDES and the community itself. The evaluation will provide REDES with the information it needs to develop an appropriate solution to the problems of housing and sanitation.

It is anticipated that the project will enable volunteers to interact extensively and familiarise themselves with the communities.

 

It is hoped that the project will pave the way for REDES to set up and obtain funding for full scale housing and sanitation projects in the communities where the volunteers will have carried out their assessments.

 

Partner Organisation

Year organisation founded: 1989. REDES is a mid-sized NGO, founded with the aim of facilitating the return and rehabilitation of Salvadorans displaced by the armed conflict of the 80´s and 90´s.

REDES´ mission is to generate the capacity for self-sufficiency and human development by encouraging beneficiary participation, facilitating processes and technology and nurturing skills.

 

Volunteers will be working with the Infrastructure Department of REDES. The Infrastructure Department provides poor communities with good housing and sanitation. It also builds public buildings, such as clinics, for communities.

 

 

 

Project costs

This is a 3-month placement. Estimated essential living and travel costs are in the region of £1085 - £1640. You may apply to EWB-UK for a grant to cover up to 50-75% of the anticipated costs (amount not yet finalised). EWB-UK will support volunteers' efforts to raise additional funds. After the selection process, a breakdown of the budget will be made available.

 

Pre-Departure Requirements

Placement volunteers will arrange for an informal project briefing with their project manager (a student or recent graduate responsible for setting up and monitoring the project on behalf of EWB-UK) and will be put in touch with the partner organisation. They will be supported by EWB-UK in finding travel insurance, and booking travel, but should finalise placement dates, accommodation, vaccinations, visa and other details independently.

 

Volunteers are expected to do a literature survey and research relevant papers before arriving on the placement.

To make an effective contribution towards EWB-UK's ambitious aims for each project in the limited time available, volunteers should be prepared to conduct pre-departure research, and, supported by their project manager, contact organisations and individuals for further project support or guidance.

 

Requirements on Return

Placement volunteers are required to report to EWB-UK during and after the placement. For summer volunteers this includes two interim reports, which will be read and commented on by your project manager, and a final evaluation which will be discussed with your project manager in a debrief.

Furthermore, volunteers are actively encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences with other EWB-UK members. They will join a network where they will have opportunities to contribute to future placements or research projects, and give presentations to EWB-UK branches.

 

FURTHER QUESTIONS

If you have further questions about this placement, or the EWB-UK Placements Programme, please click here to visit our FAQs.