Mabil Ha Village Now Has Access to Running Water!

Residents of Mabil Ha Village in Toledo now have access to a new water system following its inauguration on Thursday, October 8. The $1.3 million project addresses years of challenges accessing a reliable water supply.

Implemented through the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) under the Caribbean Development Bank’s Basic Needs Trust Fund, the system includes two 5,000-gallon storage tanks, more than 17,000 feet of water pipes and 56 connections to homes and institutions.

The water system is powered by solar energy, with a standby generator for emergencies.

Minister of Rural Transformation Oscar Requena said access to water had been one of the community’s main needs since he first visited in 2012. He recalled seeing children struggle to pump water from a well near the school, particularly during dry weather.

“Today, you don’t have to go and pump that water. You can just turn on a faucet,” Requena said, adding that access to clean water can improve health, sanitation, and children’s ability to attend school and concentrate on their studies.

Requena also noted that the government has partnered with UNICEF to improve sanitation at the village school. He urged residents to conserve water and work together to maintain the new system so it can continue serving the community.