Green Cross Bolivia's Rainwater Harvesting and Ecological Latrines Project deals with the general water shortage and inadequate sanitary conditions endemic in families from the municipality of San Antonio de Lomerío, Bolivia. The programme had the support of Green Cross Japan, who helped finance 13 ecological latrines and 14 rainwater tanks that were immediately made available to the families. The International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance was subsequently approached and provided funding for the construction of 25 new rainwater tanks, training the indigenous population in relevant technologies, and offering basic sanitation guidance to families. To date, 18 people have been trained to construct rainwater tanks and ecological latrines. Furthermore, 37 indigenous families have been educated on water purification, personal hygiene, and other elements of basic sanitation. Thanks to the initiative, nearly 2,000 additional people now have access to clean water. The rainwater tanks and ecological latrines are simple systems that have low build costs yet yield high returns and significantly improve the condition of the environment.
