Community-Driven Water Projects in Samilpamba and Yugsialo
Samilpamba Potable Water System
Bringing Clean Water to 12,000 Feet
Nestled high in the Andes Mountains at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, the village of Samilpamba is one of the most remote communities in the region. Home to around 200 people in 26 households, the village has long faced challenges due to its altitude and limited access to basic services—especially clean, safe drinking water.
In 2018, the community took a significant step toward change.
Thanks to a collaboration between the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Denver Professional Chapter and Centro Educativo La Minga, a potable water system project was launched to address the community’s urgent needs. From the very beginning, the initiative prioritized local engagement. Residents worked side by side with volunteers and engineers to plan and build a system that would serve the entire community.
Despite rugged terrain and high-altitude construction challenges, the project moved forward with determination and cooperation. After four years of steady progress, the system was completed in 2022—bringing clean, reliable water directly to homes across Samilpamba.
Today, the system is successfully managed by a local Water Board made up of trained community members. Their work ensures the long-term sustainability of the system, empowering the community to maintain and oversee its own vital infrastructure.
Funding for the project came from generous donations to EWB Denver Professional Chapter and Centro Educativo La Minga, making it a powerful example of what can be achieved through partnership and solidarity.
Yugsialo Potable Water System
Clean Water Through Community Unity
Just three miles north of Malingua Pamba, perched on a ridge high above the River Toachi, lies the village of Yugsialo—a vibrant community determined to shape its future.
In 2024, construction began on the Yugsialo potable water system, a much-needed project designed to serve approximately 250 residents in 34 households. Uniquely, the system will draw water from two separate sources, increasing its reliability and resilience for the long term.
The story of Yugsialo is one of unity and self-determination. Every stage of construction has been powered by local hands and hearts through mingas—traditional communal work gatherings where residents contribute labor, knowledge, and support. These collective efforts reflect the strong cultural and social fabric of the village.
The project is expected to be completed in 2025, and once operational, it will significantly improve access to clean water, enhance public health, and reduce the daily burden on families, especially women and children, who often bear the responsibility of collecting water.
Funding for the Yugsialo system has also been provided through donations to EWB Denver Professional Chapter and Centro Educativo La Minga. These contributions are critical—not only for Yugsialo, but for future projects already being planned. In fact, discussions are currently underway with a neighboring village to begin construction of another water system in 2026.
Support Ongoing Efforts!
Your donation helps make clean water a reality for rural Andean communities. With your support, we can continue expanding access, improving lives, and building infrastructure that is sustainable, community-owned, and life-changing.