Overview

EWB-UConn began partnering with the community of Abra Malaga, Peru, in 2017 to address sanitation challenges and improve access to reliable hygiene infrastructure. Abra Malaga is a rural community located in the Andes Mountains about three hours from the city of Cusco. The community is made up of 40 households and 300 residents, many of whom are Quechua-speaking indigenous subsistence farmers. Since residences are spread across a large mountainous area, there is limited access to sanitation facilities, leading to concerns about open defecation, water contamination, and public health.

Through a collaborative partnership with community members, the Abra Malaga General Assembly, and ECOAN, members of the EWB-UConn team successfully designed and constructed a latrine facility in 2024. Building on the success of this project and the strong relationships formed within the community, EWB-UConn continues to work alongside residents to further improve sanitation access.

The project focuses on designing and implementing a sustainable latrine system that meets the needs of the community while promoting sanitation education. By expanding access, EWB-UConn aims to reduce surface water contamination, improve drinking water quality, and support healthier living conditions throughout the community.

 

Our Progress

Assessment Trip

In May 2026, a team from EWB-UConn traveled to Abra Malaga to conduct an assessment trip. The main objective of this trip was to meet with community members, perform household surveys, evaluate the proposed site of the latrine, and conduct water quality tests. This data was collected to better understand the community’s sanitation needs, assess the feasibility of the proposed project, and gather technical information necessary for the design phase.

Current Work

Following the assessment trip, EWB-UConn will analyze the data collected in Abra Malaga to design the latrine and ensure it meets the needs of the community. The team will continue working closely with community members and project partners throughout the design process while preparing for an implementation trip planned for May 2027. During this trip, EWB-UConn aims to work alongside the community to construct the new latrine facility and expand access to sustainable sanitation infrastructure.

 

Partners

ECOAN (Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos), the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) partner for this project, serves as EWB-UConn’s primary in-country contact. ECOAN is dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable community development in the Andes region. ECOAN assists EWB-UConn with project coordination and communication with community members. ECOAN has a strong relationship with the Abra Malaga community, helping facilitate collaboration between community members and EWB-UConn, ensuring the project goals align with local needs.

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