July Project Status Update: Missionary Impact and Community-Led Progress
July was a month to remember for Vera Aqua Vera Vita, full of life-changing progress, bold community action, and the return of our dedicated Mission Team to rural Peru. The impact of our work in Las Mercedes KM11 and La Merced came to life in powerful ways as we built alongside the people we serve—and saw firsthand how your support is transforming futures through clean water.
Mission in Motion: One Team’s Impact in Peru
One of the most powerful highlights of July was the on-the-ground presence of our 2025 Mission Team. This year’s team was made up of seven dedicated missionaries from the U.S.—six returning and one new face—alongside a compassionate translator from Santísimo Sacramento Mission Center. Over the course of their trip, the team journeyed to three key communities: Monte Castillo, Las Mercedes KM11, and La Merced, strengthening our partnerships and directly serving residents still living without access to safe, clean water.
At the heart of their mission was connection, dignity, and hands-on support. In these communities, the team personally delivered over 1,200 care packages—each filled with carefully selected water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies, tailored to meet the needs of families who lack reliable access to clean water and the basic sanitation and hygiene materials we take for granted daily. These essentials, though simple, bring immediate relief and restore a sense of dignity in daily life.
The team also led our unique three-session WASH education workshop in La Merced, where they taught practical health and hygiene skills designed to protect community members—even before clean water infrastructure is in place. Parents learned actionable ways to keep their children safe, while children were engaged with age-appropriate activities to understand the value of sanitation and self-care.
This mission trip was more than a service effort—it was a shared journey. From community conversations to care package deliveries, every moment underscored the importance of walking together with the people we serve. These experiences remind us that our mission isn’t just about clean water—it’s about building relationships, restoring dignity, and empowering communities for the long haul.
Las Mercedes KM11: Community-Led Water, Realized
Back in Las Mercedes KM11, we reached one of the most anticipated milestones of the year: the new clean water tanker truck, purchased through your generous support, began delivering water throughout the community. All July, this community-led truck served much of the population at a temporary, extremely low purchase rate to ensure immediate access for those most in need.
On July 11, VAVV delivered the final Operation & Maintenance Protocol Document to guide the truck’s long-term use. Just days later, on July 14, the truck was officially registered under the community’s name in SUNARP public records—cementing community ownership of this vital resource. The Water Committee, which has risen as incredible stewards of this solution, also ensured ongoing truck maintenance, renewing critical permits with DIGESA and EPS Grau, and began researching alarm and GPS tracking systems for added security.
VAVV leadership and engineers met with GRP officials and the President of International Cooperation on July 21 to finalize the long-awaited project construction agreement. During the mission trip, the Water Committee and our missionaries worked together to determine an equitable water rate, and the community began plans to hire a dedicated operator and driver to manage the system. On July 31, community leaders submitted the final documents requested by the GRP to move the agreement toward finalization.
The energy and commitment in Las Mercedes are palpable—and thanks to your generosity, they now have water flowing and a community-driven plan for the future.
La Merced: A Community Chooses Its Future
Meanwhile, La Merced—a newer project just beginning its water journey—made huge strides in July. VAVV engineers reviewed detailed reports from recent pump tests on two nearby wells. The results confirmed that to ensure aquifer sustainability, the new well must be drilled at least 250 meters from existing sources.
On July 24, during our mission team’s visit, this information was shared with the community. In a collaborative and confident decision, La Merced chose the well-based solution for their future water system. It was a moment of empowerment and alignment—and one of many captured during the week our team spent listening, serving, and building relationships.
With this decision made, the next steps are clear: the community will soon provide three potential well locations, and VAVV will verify property records to ensure the land is viable for construction.
Help Us Build What Comes Next
These communities are ready. The truck is moving. The reservoir and kiosk construction in Las Mercedes KM11 is on the horizon. And La Merced has taken bold ownership of its future clean water system. But none of this can move forward without your help.
VAVV’s Capital Campaign is now raising the final $40,000 needed to complete construction and implementation for Las Mercedes KM11—including the kiosk, ground reservoir, and essential equipment. We’ve already raised a significant portion, but your gift today can help us cross a major threshold.
We’re calling on our community to help us reach the $15,000 milestone to install the equipment and technologies needed to run run the system clean water system infrastructure in Las Mercedes KM11 we are arriving to build for increased sustainability and resiliency. Your donation will go directly to project costs—no overhead, no delays, just impact.
💧 Ready to make a difference?
