GlobeMed at DePaul University partners with ASOSAP in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala to support access to health for the Pokomchi tribe.
GlobeMed at DePaul University + ASOSAP
Chapter
GlobeMed at DePaul University | Chicago, Illinois
Partner
ASOSAP (Hope of the Pokomchi) | Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Key Fact
The Pokomchi’s population of 50,000-100,000 makes them one of the smallest and least developed groups in Guatemala, living in an area where the 75% poverty rate is the second highest nationally.
“What we love most about GlobeMed is working with the Pokomchi people, so we can truly understand their needs and empower them while expanding our own knowledge of the world.”
– Ashley Snouffer ’12 and Rose Diskin ’11, DePaul University
About the Partnership
ASOSAP (Hope of the Pokomchi) works with nine rural communities located in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala known collectively as the Pokomchi. They empower the communities to live healthier, longer lives through education on sanitation, nutrition, and health. ASOSAP also builds latrines, stoves, and water collection tanks to promote a healthier environment. GlobeMed at DePaul partners with ASOSAP to improve water sanitation because it reduces worker productivity and leads to numerous water-borne diseases. Since 2007, GlobeMed at DePaul has raised over $5,000 to fund water tanks for the Pokomchi people.
Project
Lack of access to clean water is a major health issue for the Pokomchi communities. Dirty water leads to water borne illnesses, such as cholera, that cause thousands of death each year, especially among children under five.
To tackle this problem, GlobeMed at DePaul is funding the construction of two water collection tanks that will give two family compounds access to clean water. Each tank holds 4,000 Liters and is designed to harvest rain water. The water is harvested as it flows off the roof and into the covered tank. If the family has a leaf roof, the water is put through a filter before flowing into the collection tank.
Impact
By supplying clean water, the collection tanks help to decrease water borne illnesses.
Get Involved
Read GlobeMed at DePaul’s annual report and donate to their cause. Interested in joining the chapter? Contact depaul@globemed.org.
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