Rainwater Harvesting: More than a Cistern
In the Lower Chaco region of Paraguay, securing reliable access to clean water is one of the most pressing challenges for rural, indigenous families.
The region cycles between severe droughts and torrential rains. Extreme flooding can isolate entire communities for months at a time.
Underground water sources are scarce and salty, making well-digging unviable. The burden of collecting water from distant, surface water sources typically falls on women and often exposes families to waterborne illnesses.
To address these challenges, Pastoral Social Diocesana de Benjamin Aceval, with support from Church World Service and Growing Hope Globally, partners with the local government water agency to implement rooftop rainwater harvesting systems. By capturing rainwater from roof surfaces and channeling it through gutters into concrete cisterns, families gain a reliable source of clean water. Unlike plastic tanks, which tend to degrade quickly, these community-built cisterns provide a long-lasting solution. Coupled with local training in hygiene, sanitation, and water purification, these efforts help drive lasting change.
These rainwater harvesting systems do not stand alone, but play a critical part of a larger, interconnected picture. The Paraguay Lower Chaco program’s integrated approach also involves coming alongside communities with training and support for agricultural plots, small livestock management, beekeeping, rights-awareness training, and community advocacy efforts.
All these components work together to build dignity, stability, peace, and hope. Reflecting on the holistic impact, program participant Martiana shared, “Never before has an organization come with different and interconnected components of a project. All the trainings are very important for us. Not knowing our rights is one of our worst enemies. It affects all dimensions of life.”
Paraguay Lower Chaco is led by Church World Service and local partner Pastoral Social Diocesana de Benjamin Aceval