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Irrigation Manager Bringing Clean Water to Rural Guatemala

Jose Estrada, one of Southern Botanical’s Irrigation Managers, recently embarked on a meaningful journey to Guatemala, where he participated in a mission to bring clean drinking water to a rural community. His story reflects his dedication to helping others and showcases how his irrigation expertise can positively impact lives—a commitment deeply rooted in his own experiences growing up.

Discovering the Opportunity

Estrada first learned about the opportunity to travel to Guatemala during a conference, where he was introduced to the impactful work of Living Water and Weathermatic, organizations dedicated to providing clean water to communities in need. Although he initially planned to join the mission a few years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed those plans. Once the program resumed, Estrada eagerly got involved.

“I had always been interested in the idea of helping others through my knowledge of water management,” Estrada shared. His knowledge proved to be invaluable to a community in desperate need of clean and safe drinking water.

A Personal Connection to the Cause

For Estrada, this mission wasn’t just an opportunity to apply his professional skills; it was also deeply personal. He recalled his own childhood in Mexico, where his family experienced the daily challenge of accessing clean water.

“I was born in Mexico, and part of my family on my mother’s side lives in a small ranch outside the town where I grew up. They didn’t have running water. When we visited, my siblings and I were often sent to fetch water for cooking. As children, we thought it was an adventure—just something fun to do. But for the people living there, this was a daily task. Sometimes, they had to walk half an hour or more to carry water back home. It wasn’t until I was older that I appreciated how tough it was.”

These childhood memories came flooding back as Estrada worked on drilling the well in Guatemala. “It made me think about how some people live every day without something as basic as drinking water. Here, we try to conserve water when watering plants, but some people don’t even have enough to drink. This mission was especially meaningful to me because my family went through something similar.”

Support from Southern Botanical

When Estrada expressed his interest in joining the mission, Southern Botanical supported his endeavor by covering the travel expenses, allowing him to focus fully on the mission. “I spoke with my manager, Brian, about my desire to be part of this mission… Southern Botanical made it possible for me to contribute my skills to a community that desperately needed access to clean water,” Estrada recounted. This support enabled him to make a real difference.

The Mission: Bringing Clean Water to Peñaflor

Estrada, along with the Living Water and Weathermatic team, traveled to the small community of Peñaflor, located in the southeast of Guatemala. The week-long trip involved drilling a well and engaging with the local community. The team arrived on a Sunday, and by Monday morning, they were on-site, meeting with the local residents and coordinating the drilling project.

The mission faced several challenges. Early in the drilling process, the drill bit got stuck in the rocky ground, and the team feared they might not be able to complete the well. However, through teamwork and problem-solving, they freed the bit and continued the work.

Another significant challenge arose when the drilling machine broke down due to a faulty gasoline pump. In a remote area with limited resources, this could have halted the project. Fortunately, the team managed to source a replacement pump from another nearby project, allowing them to continue with the completion of the well.

Engaging with the Community

Beyond the technical work, Estrada found the most rewarding part of the trip was engaging with the local community, particularly the children. The team visited local schools and churches, where they taught basic hygiene practices such as hand washing and tooth brushing. These simple yet vital lessons are expected to have a lasting impact on the community’s health.

“We played games with the children, sang songs, and shared meals with them. It was a very emotional experience because the children were so grateful that we were there to help,” Estrada recalled. “Seeing their smiles and knowing that we were making a real difference in their lives was incredibly motivating.”

The Impact of Clean Water

By the end of the week, the community celebrated their new access to clean drinking water—a resource that many of us take for granted. “Knowing that the work we did will improve the quality of life for these people is something I’ll carry with me forever,” Estrada said. “This experience has motivated me to continue helping other communities in need.”

Jose Estrada’s journey to Guatemala is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact that access to clean water can have on a community. His story, deeply intertwined with his own upbringing, serves as an inspiration to anyone looking to make a positive difference in the world.