A llama grazes in front of a Chipayan farm compound.

About Chipaya
Open Hand’s Jeff DeKock recently returned from Chipaya, Bolivia, where OHS is working with local residents and organizations to create a village-wide clean water system in partnership with this ancient, culturally-unique people. The Chipayans’ only source of fresh water is a river, and recent humanitarian trips have found over 80% of local citizens infected with water-borne diseases.


Chipaya's polluted local waters, with a water tower in the background.

The Latest News
While local schools now teach a small number of classes in the Chipayan language and the culture is starting to be respected among other Bolivians, public health is still a major issue. As a result of our April 2010 trip, OHS is being assisted by CEPA, an area NGO specializing in health and culture, as well as the local presidente, in order to begin implementing the new purification system for the entire town.


Local experts examine the current water system.

What Happens Next?
The Chipayan community has now hired a local engineer to examine needs for a new water tower and distribution system. Over the coming weeks their recommendations will lead to a final work plan to begin this fall. Meanwhile, we’re fundraising in the U.S. to help pay for materials and installation. If you’d like to make a donation to Open Hand, or directly for our work at Chipaya, you can do so quickly and securely online.

Support Clean Water for Chipaya
The water project will provide clean drinking water for the village's 2,000 residents for at least 20 years. Moreover, local leaders and citizens have agreed to raise half the funds necessary to complete the work. That means every dollar you give helps creates access for at least one Chipayan for an entire year: for example, donating just $25 will provide 25 people with pure drinking water! Please support the project and donate online through JustGive, entering the word "Chipaya" in the description line. All contributions are tax-deductible.