Ruth is a leader of the Las Tunas hamlet, always smiling and optimistic. She is a mother of two children and also fulfills the role of community agent and is secretary of the Sanitation Services Administrative Board (JASS). With bright eyes and a big smile, she excitedly tells us the change that the community has undergone since the water arrived in Las Tunas:
«"The hamlet is prettier now and we've renovated the houses. In my house, the walls used to be just adobe, but with the same joy of having running water at home, we've plastered and painted our walls to make it brighter.".
Ruth pauses, drinks some water and continues her story with an emotion that fills the entire atmosphere. A question arises: Was the change born spontaneous or is it the transformative magic of having water at home? Between laughs he tells us: «"Well, we had the intention, but it was Mrs. Rosita (a health educator for the drinking water project) who talked to us about the importance of making changes to have a nicer house. She gave us the idea of improving not only the kitchen environment, but also of building an improved kitchen. My brother was the one who decided to build the little kitchen and look, he made it very nice, out of adobe, plastered with cement and with its chimney so that the house doesn't fill with smoke.".
As a community agent (health promoter) Ruth visits the homes of pregnant women and children under 3 years of age. She is in charge of monitoring the good health of these women and children. With the arrival of water to the homes, Ruth happily tells us that a significant change will soon be seen in the health of families and especially in pregnant women and children.
«"I visit families and talk to them about the importance of handwashing, keeping their homes clean, and drinking boiled water. Now, with the arrival of potable water, the problem of parasites will greatly decrease. Children and women will be better nourished.".
Ruth, with the characteristic smile and the good disposition that she conveys, concludes her story by thanking everyone who made it possible for drinking water to reach the village, concluding with this phrase: Finally, this dream came true!