Families working with Simón
Simón joined us in 2016. He is a local Indigenous man who loves his people and wants the best for them. Today, families seek him out when they are ready to build a well. He teaches them to drill, helps them fit the pump, and returns to check on the work. With families working alongside him, the program has grown from about 20 wells a year to about 60.
Volunteer teams on spring break
Our teams usually visit for about two weeks around spring break. Volunteers pay their own way, stay in basic accommodations, and spend much of the trip building pump kits. A team can prepare 50–75 kits, sometimes more. We leave them in Simón’s shed so he has supplies ready for the next family.
Rotary connections
Many of these friendships began with talks at Rotary clubs around the Pacific Northwest. Some people offered to help buy supplies; others asked to join our trips. Volunteers have come from Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Texas, Montana, New Jersey, and Ecuador. They bring different skills, ages, and backgrounds, and a willingness to work together.
The Healing Fund and Hydromissions
The Healing Fund raises money for PVC and the supplies used to build the wells and pumps. Hydromissions covers Simón’s salary, fuel, and other operating costs. Caitlin, president of Hydromissions, helps coordinate materials and logistics. Her organization’s team taught us to drill our first well in 2011, and the partnership helps Simón keep working with families throughout the year.
