In many Q’eqchi’ communities, access to potable water and proper treatment of greywater remain a major challenge. Ram Ha’ (“sacred water” or “water that gives life” in the Maya language) is an initiative that addresses this need with sustainable, community-based solutions grounded in local knowledge.
Processes to ensure living and dignified water in the communities
Step 1: Rainwater collection
Families are trained to collect rainwater using roofs, gutters, and a storage system. The collected water is mainly used for domestic consumption and irrigation.
Each family receives an Ecofilter, a simple water purification system, along with training on its use and maintenance. Thanks to this, the consumption of contaminated water and gastrointestinal diseases are reduced.
Step 2: Purification with Ecofilter
Step 3: Wetland for greywater treatment
Artificial wetlands are constructed in homes to naturally treat water used in sinks and kitchens.
Community impact:
Safe and constant access to water: Families have a reliable source of water thanks to rainwater collection and purification with the Ecofilter.
Reduction of waterborne diseases: Lower incidence of diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections, and skin diseases, especially among girls and boys.
Environmental protection: The use of wetlands reduces soil and river pollution, promoting local biodiversity.
Community autonomy: Families learn to manage their own water system, strengthening their self-sufficiency and resilience in the face of scarcity.
Education and environmental awareness: Through workshops, participants understand the water cycle, the value of the resource, and the importance of its care.
ARIs are a group of diseases that affect the airways through which air passes in the human body, and they are caused by both viruses and bacteria. FBIs (Foodborne Illnesses) are diseases that originate from the ingestion of food contaminated with infectious agents in quantities sufficient to affect the consumer’s health. Whether solid, natural, prepared, or beverages such as water, food can cause illnesses triggered by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or chemical components present in their composition.
Water, an essential resource for life, plays a crucial role in the well-being of communities. However, water pollution and scarcity represent significant problems, especially for those communities that lack the necessary equipment and resources to carry out adequate water harvesting.
In this context, Maya Guatemala is actively seeking to reduce the impacts that affect the health of community members, as well as to improve their quality of life. Through the implementation of the Ecofiltro system, the Association delivers the equipment and provides the necessary training to achieve these objectives. This system incorporates elements designed to purify water, eliminating odors, tastes and bacteria harmful to human health. In this way, it seeks to ensure access to drinking water and contribute to the improvement of living conditions in the communities of the Q'eqchi' people.
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Sacred water for the community
Why was Ram Ha’ created?
In many Q’eqchi’ communities, access to potable water and proper treatment of greywater remain a major challenge. Ram Ha’ (“sacred water” or “water that gives life” in the Maya language) is an initiative that addresses this need with sustainable, community-based solutions grounded in local knowledge.
Processes to ensure living and dignified water in the communities
Step 1:
Rainwater
collection
Families are trained to collect rainwater using roofs, gutters, and a storage system. The collected water is mainly used for domestic consumption and irrigation.
Each family receives an Ecofilter, a simple water purification system, along with training on its use and maintenance.
Thanks to this, the consumption of contaminated water and gastrointestinal diseases are reduced.
Step 2:
Purification with Ecofilter
Step 3:
Wetland for
greywater treatment
Artificial wetlands are constructed in homes to naturally treat water used in sinks and kitchens.
Community impact:
Morbidity of ARIs and FBDs 2012 to 2023
Dataset Description
ARIs are a group of diseases that affect the airways through which air passes in the human body, and they are caused by both viruses and bacteria. FBIs (Foodborne Illnesses) are diseases that originate from the ingestion of food contaminated with infectious agents in quantities sufficient to affect the consumer’s health. Whether solid, natural, prepared, or beverages such as water, food can cause illnesses triggered by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or chemical components present in their composition.
Water, an essential resource for life, plays a crucial role in the well-being of communities. However, water pollution and scarcity represent significant problems, especially for those communities that lack the necessary equipment and resources to carry out adequate water harvesting.
In this context, Maya Guatemala is actively seeking to reduce the impacts that affect the health of community members, as well as to improve their quality of life. Through the implementation of the Ecofiltro system, the Association delivers the equipment and provides the necessary training to achieve these objectives. This system incorporates elements designed to purify water, eliminating odors, tastes and bacteria harmful to human health. In this way, it seeks to ensure access to drinking water and contribute to the improvement of living conditions in the communities of the Q'eqchi' people.
Testimonios de Beneficiarias