New Mexico State University’s Aggies Without Limits (AWL) recently returned from Guatemala, completing their 19th international community service project. This endeavor, led by Professor Paul Furth and Emeritus Professor Kenny Stevens, involved the largest group of volunteers in the organization’s history.
Approximately 50 students, faculty members, alumni, community volunteers, and students from other universities participated in building a water system for Unillá Pacalá. The project now provides 81 freshwater spigots to serve about 1,500 residents who previously had to travel over a mile to access water.
“The biggest challenges were technical, weather and roads,” Stevens said. “The technical part was the fact that we had to pump the water from the spring up the hill to the storage tanks. Of course, there was no electricity and limited access to gas or diesel, so we went with solar power."
Stevens also highlighted difficulties posed by extreme heat and road conditions. “The temperature was over 120 degrees on a couple of occasions... Asking a bunch of 20-year-olds to dig ditches and lay pipe in that weather was a big ask,” he noted.
Planning for this three-week trip began a year in advance with an initial scouting trip in January. Nayla Salinas, one of the project managers on her second trip with AWL, oversaw design, budgeting, ordering materials, flight plans, and on-site implementation.
Salinas described how they used six 300-watt solar panels to power the pump due to lack of electricity. Placement issues required innovative solutions such as building a bridge for wiring between the pump and solar panels.
Rain presented another challenge: “In the rainy season... Diana Jaramillo envisioned a ‘cabin’ to protect the spring from runoff,” Stevens said. Jaramillo's solution involved constructing a protective structure using ferrocement.
“It is a great learning experience,” said Salinas. “We learn new things like how to glue pipe and put together a whole system... And it’s great to see a project from start to finish.”
Salinas emphasized that AWL trips are life-learning experiences that foster strong bonds among participants while exposing them to different cultures and living conditions without basic amenities.
David Castellanos shared his motivation for participating: “It’s also great seeing a project from start to finish... Most of my family was born in Guatemala... I wanted the group to experience some of the culture.”
Salinas reflected on her role as a female leader: “They were welcoming to my role as a leader... I hope the little girls were listening.”
Salinas plans to graduate in spring 2025 and aims for professional certification while continuing her involvement with AWL.
Aggies Without Limits also undertakes local projects around Las Cruces. As a non-profit organization funded by donations and volunteer efforts through their Daisy-Chain initiative, AWL relies on volunteers covering their own travel expenses.
For more information about AWL visit https://aggieswithoutlimits.org/ or email ewb@nmsu.edu.