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Guatemala
Guatemala is known as the “Country of Eternal Spring”. It is also home to 37 volcanoes, three of them constantly active.
The coastal highlands are home to half the country’s population, 87% of whom are Mayan.
This is where Fire for Water does its work.
Safe water for the People & the Planet
Safe Water for the People
Around 80% of families in the Rural Areas in Guatemala have access to water that is unsafe. They drink it because it is cheaper than bottled water. This leads to diarrhea and malnutrition in children. It is estimated that around 75% of children are malnourished.
Poor health conditions make children miss school, resulting in an average scholarity of 3.8 years for boys, and 2.8 years for girls. Girls are additionally affected by lack of menstrual accomodations.
Low scholarity drastically impacts the children's potential lifetime earnings, which in turn stunts the development of their communities and also increases their chances of migration, with all the associated risks it entails.
Currently, Guatemala is among the countries with highest cognitive and physical development stunting in the world due to malnourishent and poor health.
Safe Water for the Planet
Water Filtration Systems
Point of Source
High Cost (up to US$2000 per family)
Provides Clean Drinking Water
Filters water at the source.
Easy to implement on the Coast.
Point of Use
Low cost (around US$100 per family)
Requires community activation to sustain
Adapts ancient Mayan Biosand Filtration technologies
Filters water where it is used (homes, schools, community centers)
Easier to implement on the Highlands
50% of WASH Programs among Rural Indigenous Poor fail…
Which means 50% Succeed!
Reducing Failure Rates
Elmer Arriaga
Los Buenos Vecinos
Acatenango Region
Elmer Arriaga leads Buenos Vecinos Guatemala’s on-the-ground water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects, bringing decades of construction experience and specialized technical expertise to rural communities.
He has distributed 1,200 household handwashing stations, designed school systems installed in more than 135 schools, and developed biosand filtration solutions for schools and community-owned enterprises. As a skilled builder and educator, Elmer works alongside families, schools, health workers, and local officials to implement sustainable WASH solutions.
Antonio Sipac
Wellkind
Lake Atitlán Region
Antonio directs Wellkind Guatemala, bringing over 15 years of experience advancing sustainable development among the Kaqchikel, K'iche', and Tz'utujil Indigenous communities of Lake Atitlán. He leads reforestation, agroforestry, native seed conservation, and environmental education initiatives in partnership with local governments and development organizations.
With expertise in accounting, forest governance, permaculture, and green project management, Antonio also supports sustainable beekeeping through the Atitlán Beekeeping Cooperative. Fluent in Spanish and Kaqchikel Maya, he bridges local communities and partners working toward Guatemala’s environmental and social future.
Low-cost interventions must be Simple, Scalable and Sustainable.
Other ways in which we help
Menstrual Health
Menstrual Health Education and Reusable Pads Production Workshops by Canyon City Colorado Rotary with Montana and Colorado Volunteers
Service Trips
Together with Fire for Water, Rotary Atitlán and Somos Travel, we can provide meaningful service experiences.
Travel, support and engage. Share your gifts with others!
VAVA Challenge
Two volcanoes in two days, Volcán Acatenango and Volcán Atitlán
10 Guatemalan Athletes
40 Internation al Athletes
A race designed around the mountains, not against them.
The descent becomes a community event. An experience. A celebration.
A story. Locals attend while viewers abroad tune in to a cinematic and engaging broadcast through pint nights in their home towns.
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