Transforming Perspectives: How a Water Project in Guatemala Shaped My Understanding of Global Challenges

As part of a small group of Cornell students, I traveled to Guatemala to work with Agua del Pueblo’s water supply and sanitation projects, and my experience completely changed my perspective on global challenges. I learned of the struggles of rural Guatemalan communities around Lake Atitlán and the transformative effect that clean water infrastructure brings. I joined local engineers in Sanik-Ya and Chitulul to collect and test household water samples, assisted in Rotary Community Assessments in Tierra Santa, and learned AdP’s engineering design process for improving leaky intake systems. While I always understood that potable water is essential for health, I learned that it impacts so much more—including education, agriculture, and economic productivity. Without it, development is simply impossible. Also, what makes AdP remarkable is that it truly lives up to its name, “The People’s Water,” involving community members in every step of development—from needs assessment to long-term maintenance. Seeing communities take ownership of these projects showed me that sustainability requires a community-centered approach, and it’s why I believe AdP is an exceptional model for international NGOs. Now, as I intend to go to medical school, AdP has inspired me to bring this approach to the healthcare setting.