The village of Galarza is located in the Esteros del Ibera wetlands region in the province of Corrientes.The village - a loose grouping of 12 or so families into a tiny, isolated community - is only accessible by crossing a narrow log-bridge. Funding has been secured from Global Environmental Facility (GEF), UNDP and the ECOS Foundation to administer and conserve the biodiversity of the Ibera reserve, but almost no funds have been procured to assist the people of Galarza.

Galarza is without electricity, and apart from the Ranger Station, has limited running water. Many of the children at the local escuela (school) do not have shoes. The western notion of personal hygiene is ridiculously out of place in this village which lacks showers and toilets. The nearest hospital/clinic is located in Santo Tome, a two-hour drive.

This project aims to elevate the living standards of the villagers by helping to build a public sanitation facility housing showers and a first aid station. There is already a centrally-located brick edifice which would lend itself to further construction. Secondary to this, will be the provision of 'health packs', which will be put together for the villagers, and whose contents will include soap, wash cloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and shampoo.

Cost: $5,000 ($500 USD already sent)

Project Coordinator:

Marina Mansilla-Hermann
Executive Director
Peace Child Argentina