Shalom Center
Pentecostal Church of Chile

Chile has moved to democracy slowly after 17 years of a repressive military regime that left large sectors of the Chilean people in poverty and suffering the effects of 17 years of human rights violations and exploitation.  The ghost of the military regime still haunts the country in many ways, even though democratic government administrations, sectors of Chilean congress, social organizations, and churches have challenged and continue to challenge the legacy of impunity of those who violated human rights for almost two decades.  Reconciliation continues to be an issue of justice that still keeps the wounds open for many Chileans.  The Shalom Ministry, a program of Global Ministries partner, the Pentecostal Church of Chile (IPC), endeavors to develop programs and resources that provide leadership in the reconciliation of this country.   One such project is the Shalom Center and Campground "A Place for Re-encounters" (Un Lugar de Reencuentros).

Because, as everywhere, safe water is fundamental for life, the Shalom Center water project will improve access to existing safe water sources and will help to create the means necessary to access new sources.  It is hoped that this will enhance other activities carried out at the Shalom Center.

The proposed project contains two components: 

• Safe drinking water - Providing the necessary conditions for supplying safe drinking water to existing facilities, in accordance with Chilean governmental health standards.
• Provide the necessary conditions for adequate water in the restroom and shower areas of the Center that are being built, in accordance with Chilean governmental health standards.

The Water Committee of the Shalom Center, which includes both clergy and lay members of the Pentecostal Church of Chile with construction experience, will monitor and evaluate the project.  Final plans will be submitted to municipal offices (as required).  The Water Committee also will supervise the work and carry out the final evaluation at the conclusion of the project.  The information collected throughout this project will be used to help shape best practices for future construction at the Shalom Center. 

With the help of an Architect (advisor of the Shalom Center Project), bricklayers, teachers, assistants, and other specialized workers, the activities of this project should be completed in a little over one month.  The work of the project, which will meet Chilean health agency regulations, will be carried out in the following way:

• Drinking water system project development (15 days)
• Cleaning and clearing the watershed (2 days)
• Cleaning and clearing the area for the pipes (2 days)
• Water collection improvement (1 day)
• Protection for the watershed with brick and zinc (4 days)
• Installation of 2.5" pipe, 400 meters long (app.) (10 days)
• Fence for watershed protection (4 days)
• Construction of new tower for the water reservoir (5 days)
• Installation and supply of 2,500 liter reservoir (1 day)
• Installation and supply of chlorinator (1 day)
• Installation of photovoltaic solar plate (1 day)
• Water distribution networks to existing facilities (2 days)
• Connection of the water network to the new tower (2 days)
• Distribution network installation to the restrooms, 60 meters (3 days)

Centro Shalom proposes to carry out these objectives by optimizing what already exists in the area, thereby improving the existing system to supply to a greater quantity of people.  The agency wishes to undertake construction so as to both guarantee durability for the future and to take advantage of sustainable energies (e.g., solar).  It is projected that this will translate into energy savings over time.  In addition, the Committee wishes to protect the existing spring.

Regular maintenance will fall under the existing maintenance personnel.  Local experts will be hired for more specialized maintenance tasks (e.g., cleaning of the chlorinator, of the reservoir, and of the septic tank).  The Shalom Center will assume all costs for maintenance.

The project cost is $8,440, $1820 to be provided by the Shalom Center and $6,620 requested from Global Ministries.   The estimated expenses will be $6,720 for materials and $1,720 for labor.