The residents of El Tempisque have improved their living conditions by building new latrines that brought dignity, safety, and better hygiene to the community. For families like that of Meisel Raquel Salmerón Aguilar, the change represents the result of hard work and unity among neighbors.

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“When I first came to this community, there were no latrines at all,” Salmerón recalled. “Maybe a few houses had one, but not ours. We had to go out into the open field.” Her household—three adults and three children—faced daily challenges due to the lack of proper sanitation. “We had to teach the children to go outside. We never imagined we would one day have our own latrine,” she said.

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Before the project, the situation posed constant risks. Salmerón explained that going outdoors at night or during the rainy season could be dangerous due to slippery ground, animals, or illness. “If someone had diarrhea, we had to run to the woods. It wasn’t safe or healthy,” she remembered.

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Determined to change that reality, the families of El Tempisque organized themselves, gathered materials, and worked together to build their own latrines. “It wasn’t easy, but we made it happen. We collected sand, bought a bag of cement, and helped each other. Everyone contributed what they could,” Salmerón said proudly.

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Now, with the new latrines, daily life is very different. “I feel happy because now I can go at any time—and so can the children. We no longer have to go outside. It’s much cleaner and safer for everyone, even for the animals around the house,” she explained.

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Thanks to the determination and cooperation of the residents, El Tempisque now enjoys safe sanitation, fewer health risks, and a stronger sense of community.