Shuar Health Project

Clean Water and Sanitation in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Latrine inauguration in Etza (roadside community where student team members piloted their first latrine). Photo Credit: Jazmine Garcia

The Shuar are one indigenous nation living in Ecuadorian Amazon region. As a marginalized population, their access to safe water and appropriate sanitation is very limited and is a principal cause of many diseases. Also, public health education is minimal as well as proper knowledge of health and hygiene practices.

The mission of the Shuar Health Project (SHP) is to improve the health of Shuar by creating a sustainable model that ensures direct contribution and collaboration by both the project students and the community members. SHP empowers Shuar communities to improve their own health by providing knowledge and expertise for the implementation of sustainable technologies. To maximize the benefit of our interventions, the project takes a holistic approach by addressing safe water, sanitation, and education. By doing so, this model of combining education, safe water, and sanitation can hopefully be expanded to other populations in developing countries in the future.

Cement water tank built in a road side community. Photo Credit: Phillip Denny

Student Project Leaders: Erika Garcia, BS Student, Conservation and Resource Studies, 2009; Sophia Horiuchi, BA, Public Health, 2010
Location: Pastaza Province, Ecuador
Partners: FENASH-P; Shuar indigenous communities of Pastaza Province, Ecuador