In Olopa, Guatemala, Modesta Desdicho, an Indigenous woman and mother of four, has transformed her family’s life by gaining access to safe, filtered water. For years, she relied on a nearby well, but the poor water quality led to recurring illnesses and significant expenses for bottled water—a luxury that many rural families cannot afford.
"Water means everything to me. I’m learning that as a woman, I have the power to protect it,"
says Modesta as she cleans the water filter in her home.
This transformation was made possible through the Fostering Water Security in the Trifinio Region “GEF Trifinio”project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by UNEP, and executed by the OAS in coordination with the Trinational Commission of the Plan Trifinio (CTPT). The project aims to improve water security and build climate resilience in the upper Lempa River basin, which connects El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Through this project, over 1,500 water filters have been distributed, benefiting more than 10,000 people, about 50% of whom are women and youth. In Olopa, 160 families now enjoy access to filtered water. Communities have reported a 26% reduction in gastrointestinal illnesses, and the filter adoption rate has reached 99%, demonstrating their effectiveness and acceptance.
The impact of water filters extends beyond individual households. In Concepción Las Minas, Guatemala, filtered water has improved artisanal cheese production, ensuring safer products for producers and consumers. This change has generated income and strengthened local economic activities.
"Now I know the water we use is clean and safe. It’s a peace of mind we’ve never had before,"
Modesta explains.
In the Trifinio region, access to filtered water improves health, strengthens social cohesion, and fosters resilience. The project promotes Integrated Water Resource Management by empowering communities and placing women at the center of sustainable actions.
Through training on water care and natural resource protection, women have gained the tools to lead local initiatives that improve the quality of life in their communities.
"The filter is not just a tool; it’s an opportunity to teach others to value water,"
says Modesta. These training sessions enable women not only to protect water but also to take on leading roles as guardians of water resources and agents of change in their households and communities.
In Ocotepeque, Honduras, Ana Domínguez, a mother of a 9-year-old, shares how the project’s water filter has transformed her daily life.
"Before, my son frequently got sick from drinking contaminated water and often missed school. Now, with the filter, he has access to clean water every day, and his health has greatly improved. I also feel relieved knowing that the food I prepare is safer for my family.”
Similarly, in El Salvador, Mirna Ramos has experienced economic relief. "Thanks to the filter, I’ve saved about $40 a month that I used to spend on bottled water. That money now goes toward other important family needs. Having a filter not only provides us with water we can safely drink but also brings a sense of economic stability," she shares.
These stories reflect how access to essential resources, like filtered water, improves health, reduces economic burdens, and allows women to focus on other critical aspects of their lives and families.
These actions strengthen women’s leadership and promote gender equity, enabling them to become powerful voices within their communities. Additionally, they contribute to a more inclusive and resilient water management system in the upper Lempa River basin, creating a sustainable and lasting impact for present and future generations.
Women’s leadership is fundamental to effective water governance. Their ability to lead translates into tangible solutions to local challenges while strengthening and uniting communities.
For Modesta and her community, access to filtered water represents an immediate improvement in quality of life and a transformative opportunity to redefine their future.
"Caring for water means caring for our families,"
Modesta affirms, encapsulating these actions' deep and lasting impact.
The success of the GEF-Trifinio project lies in the promotion and facilitation of tri-national cooperation, ensuring the success and sustainability of its initiative.
Private companies such as Sawyer and PepsiCo have also contributed key resources, which have been integrated and enhanced through the coordinated efforts of the GEF – Trifinio project and the CTPT. The distribution of filters and the promotion of sustainable practices have been made possible through the project’s leadership, channeling these contributions into concrete actions.
These public-private partnerships complement the project’s efforts, demonstrating the power of collaboration when framed within a clear and well-managed strategy.
The Fostering Water Security in the Trifinio Region project exemplifies how international cooperation and community empowerment can drive profound and lasting change. With an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable approach, it is creating a replicable model for water resource management in other regions.
In Trifinio, the voices of water resonate as a powerful call for sustainability. Thanks to a union of efforts, solutions that transcend borders and generations are being built, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future.
About the project
The project “Fostering Water Security in the Trifinio Region: Formulating a TDA/SAP for the Transboundary Lempa River Basin” is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is executed by the Organization of American States (OAS) in coordination with the Trinational Commission of the Trifinio Plan (CTPT) across El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
The project spans 48 months and aims to foster water security in the upper Lempa River basin while increasing the resilience of its ecosystems to climate variability and change.
Key objectives include:
Together, these activities aim to initiate transformative changes that will guide the Lempa River Basin toward greater water security and developing climate-resilient ecosystems.
For more information on the project ‘Fostering Water Security in the Trifinio Region’, contact:
or visit the dedicated page on iwlearn.net.
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