Coatzingo Irrigation Canal Restoration Project
14 years ago, an earthquake caused a landslide to cover a 200m section of
Coatzingo's irrigation canal. The damage was overwhelming. A small diversion
ditch built by higher government aid gave some help, but failed in 2021. There is
no more aid from higher government.
The new mayor, Abel Chavez, promised to make the canal restoration the priority.
The future of Coatzingo was at stake. No irrigation water meant no crops. The
town's survival depended upon its farmers. But the cost of repairs would be
close to $100,000.
The first stage of the project began in early 2022 and ended in August.
Hope was high. In June, the seasonal rain did not come. It did not come
in July. Crops were dying in many fields. No irrigation water from the
river was available.
May 2022
July 2022
Finally, in mid-August the rain began-and continued in September, halting the
installation of large culverts that would protect the canal from future landslides.
In September 2022, two earthquakes struck the area within four days--and most
of the excavation was recovered by a new landslide. It was devastating news to
realize all efforts were to be a loss! The engineer informed the mayor that $76,000
will be the new final cost needed for making all repairs. This is far beyond their
capacity to afford--again.
Our ministry has now made this canal project a priority fundraiser. With your
donation, the remaining pipes and re-excavation can be paid for, and the farms
--and Coatzingo--will thrive.
Update: Our donations reached over $80,000 due to a
major charitable donation, and the project was
completed in Jan. 2023!
Scroll down for photos!
While some of the landslide happened:
Video taken during the H3 tour of the canal repair in August 2022, 6 weeks before the earthquake.
Video taken in May 2022, with the canal project getting underway and making progress in excavation:
Canal Repair--progress, completion, and celebration!
In this section you will find photos August, our team went to tour the canal site. We were appraised of progress, and then heard of the new landslide in September. Donations came in to help purchase more culverts and for excavation, and then further donations came in October through December. Work was halted several times due to the the start of small landslides. Prayer meetings were held at the canal. With the exceptional bravery of several canal committee workers to complete the task, the work was cautiously finished despite the danger. The canal was dedicated in early 2023, and irrigation for crops began, with great success! Praise God!
