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Safe drinking water

The Minagi Project’s mission is to supply potable water to the inhabitants of the Chiquimula region in eastern Guatemala. The project works to provide water filters to local organizations so that schools and community residents can drink safe water. The Minagi project also holds workshops to ensure that safe drinking water is available on a sustainable basis.

Born and raised in Guatemala, project creator Kenta Minagi (Class of 2020) was inspired when he met the representative of a foundation that provides assistance to Guatemalans. The project’s goals resonated with fellow students that would go on to join the initiative.

Eliciting understanding and cooperation from local individuals

In September 2018, a member of the Minagi Project visited Chiquimula. At local public health centers, they found that the provision of safe water was not sufficiently guaranteed. Additionally, they discussed their objectives and plans with community leaders, securing their approval and pledges to cooperate.

Charity events

In mid-November and early December, the members of the Minagi Project held charity events on campus at which they set up a booth in the APU Cafeteria to sell coffee and handmade crafts from Guatemala. They gathered donations and displayed photographs and posters showcasing the local area and the project’s activities. At the charity event held in November, project members also sold mole, a traditional Guatemalan dessert made with bananas and chocolate. Numerous attendees were on hand at these events, generating almost 100,000 yen for the project. The money will be used to purchase water filters and fund workshops for the area.
Additionally, the project crowdfunded nearly 200,000 yen in donations by the end of January, with the campaign ending in February.

Preserving the ability to drink safe water

The project chose to donate filters manufactured domestically by a Guatemalan corporation, with these filters scheduled to be placed in a kindergarten, elementary schools, and other locations in the community. However, the objectives of the Minagi Project does not stop there. The intention behind the project is to give the local people independent and sustainable access to safe drinking water even after the filters have been placed. Project members intend to hold workshops to teach filter usage and maintenance.

The members of the Minagi Project plan to visit the Chiquimula region in late February, and are currently moving forward with their preparations while liaising with the filter manufacturer and local stakeholders.