Completed Running Water Project Paves Way for New Infrastructure Improvements
Two sisters from Atlanta, Georgia have initiated a major fundraiser to bring composting latrines and solar showers to Q’ero families. When Hailey and Savannah Madsen learned about Heart Walk Foundation’s Running Water Project it was hard for them to imagine that in 2025 there are families living without running water to their homes. How do they shower? Where do they go to the bathroom? Imagining the hardships of people living without basic hygiene compelled them to initiate the Sanitation and Solar Shower Project.
Haily Madsen
Savannah Madsen
In December the sisters started learning everything they could about the Q’ero people and Heart Walk Foundation. Hailey reached out to us with insightful questions and ideas and, together with our field director, Bertha, we designed a project that would complement your gift of running water.
Hailey and Savannah committed to raise $50,000 to bring solar showers and composting toilets to 100 Qero homes. They created a powerpoint presentation about the needs of the communities to inspire potential donors.
Sanitation and Solar Shower Project
The communities are beyond excited about the sanitation project, and they have been making adobes for their own outhouse structures. We hired a project engineer, Emilio, to determine the best type of latrines for the area and to design the composting toilets. Emilio and Bertha spent the entire month of May in Hapu, Yanaruma, and Ccochamarca supervising the families in the construction of their toilets.
There was a slight setback when unseasonal rains ruined the adobes that a few families were drying in their yards. They had to start from scratch.
Why Composting Toilets?
Initially we hoped to build pit latrines, simple sanitation systems that consist of a deep hole dug into the ground to collect human waste. Through trial and discovery, we learned that the water table in that region is too high, the pits would fill up with ground water making them useless for waste management. The composting toilet is a waterless toilet system that treats human waste through aerobic decomposition — adding saw dust and/or cooking ash to transform it into a humus-like substance. Unlike traditional flush toilets, composting toilets don’t use water for flushing and don’t require connection to a sewer or septic system. They are considered a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative, particularly in geographically challenging regions like the Andes.
$25,370 Raised of their $50,000 Goal
The cost to bring composting toilets and solar showers to every Q’ero home in need is $50,000. Hailey and Savvy have been working hard, pitching their project to potential donors since March. It’s remarkable they have raised more than half their goal so quickly, but time is running out to secure funds and complete the project before the next rainy season.
YOU CAN HELP!
Help Hailey and Savvy bring Sanitation and Solar Showers to all Q’ero homes by donating here. Any amount is greatly appreciated and will help further their efforts. Sanitation is something we take for granted, but it is a monumental leap forward for the Q’ero people. Help bring hope and dignity to families living without basic sanitation.
All her children help Julia build a bathroom
Julia, who was tragically widowed last year, proudly poses with her family in front of the outhouse structure they built together. Watch Julia and her daughters as they build a better life for themselves below.
The Q’ero people are confident in our ability to make this project a reality. They have already built the infrastructure for it and send prayers and gratitude to those of you helping to make it happen.
Hailey and Savvy and their dad, Jason, will see the fruits of their efforts with their own eyes in July when they join Malynda and Bertha for the annual expedition to Q’eros. Stay tuned for updates from them in the field when they test the solar showers and composting toilets themselves.
Help Us Reach our Goal!
Make a donation here to help the Q’ero people.
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