Recently, Isla Urbana USA’s 2024 Annual Report was published. This report explains a general overview of a Rain Schools case study demonstrating one of our corporate partnerships, efforts and initiatives involving students across the country, financial and budgetary details, insights into organizational development and expansion, and key fundraising events and pragmatic progress made throughout last year.
In the same spirit of recognizing how our rainmakers drive this progress, we’d like to share the words of a few of the 3,269 beneficiaries of our rainwater harvesting and purification systems, highlighting how your support has transformed their lives.
Residential Systems
Of the 103 total systems installed in 2024, 28 were residential systems. Residential systems give the gift of clean water to an incredible number of communities, families, and individuals, improving daily life by providing reliable access to safe drinking water.
These systems empower households by reducing reliance on inconsistent, and often polluted, local water sources; improving health outcomes and fostering greater economic and social stability. The impact of these systems is best expressed by those who benefit from them firsthand. Carlos Martínez, a community representative from Llano de Arnica, San José Tenango, shared with us the power of rain, stating:
“For the families who are going to benefit, it is practically a gift from heaven… I talked to one family who did not have water and they told me they didn’t bathe because they simply couldn’t, so the systems are really going to bring a huge benefit to their lives.”
Carlos’ statement highlights the transformative power of this rainwater harvesting technology in regions where access to clean water has long been a challenge. For families like this, a reliable water source means not only improved health and hygiene, but also a significant reduction in the time and effort spent securing water for daily needs. As Pablo Flores, a rainwater harvester from Tlamacazapa, Guerrero, shares:
“It rains so much that the cistern fills up in just half an hour, which has been a tremendous help for the family.”
These systems play a crucial role in addressing gender disparities, as women and children are often tasked with the strenuous and time-consuming duty of finding clean water. They are able to reclaim their time by pursuing education, employment, and entrepreneurship to contribute to the socioeconomic development of their communities.
Moreover, children are given the opportunity to simply be children—playing, learning, and imagining a brighter future without the constant worry of water scarcity. Children are finally free to embrace their childhood, focusing on gaining knowledge and having fun, rather than survival. As Daniel Martínez García, a rainwater harvester from Génova, Oaxaca, explains to us:
“Now that we have a rainwater cistern, my children can play.”
School Systems
In 2024, 10 rainwater harvesting systems were installed in schools across Mexico. These systems do more than provide clean water to staff and students—they create an environment where learning abilities can thrive without the constant disruption caused by a lack of water. For many concerned families, the lack of clean water has been a major barrier to consistent school attendance. If your child couldn’t wash their hands to prevent illness at school, would you feel comfortable sending them everyday? By ensuring a reliable water source, these systems alleviate parental concerns and encourage children to stay in school, fostering a healthier and more productive learning environment.
The impact of these systems goes beyond the classroom. Research shows that each additional year a girl stays in school can increase her future income by 20%, contributing to long-term socioeconomic benefits for both individuals and communities. With access to clean water, students—especially girls—can focus on their studies without the burden of fetching water, opening doors to greater opportunities and brighter futures. María Esther García, a student at Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Agricultural Teocuatlán, San José Tenango explains:
“I have a system at home and it helps a lot. Before, we carried water from a well 2–3 hours away, which provided only 20 liters per household. We are so grateful for this system at school. We will take care of it and push our projects forward.”
The Isla Urbana Rain Schools program not only installs the systems, but it provides knowledge and resources for harnessing rainwater comprehensively within schools, while also educating and advocating for better water practices. Each school participating in the program must establish a dedicated Rain Committee composed of students, teachers, and parents who oversee the system’s maintenance, ensure its efficient operation, and support its long-term sustainability. A representative from the Arturo de la Garza González Primary School recounts:
“This is a very good project for the entire educational community. Firstly, we are teaching students, who will be the next generation of citizens, about the significant commitment to sustainable water use, which will shape them as more aware and responsible individuals. Secondly, it allows parents to participate and feel engaged with these projects. This process will enable the school to improve in various aspects related to sustainable practices over time.”
This program not only empowers water-scarce communities to adopt autonomous and sustainable water management practices, but it also instills a sense of responsibility and awareness in students, preparing them to become advocates and guardians of their local resources. The principal of Arturo de la Garza González Primary School states:
“I believe that any project representing innovation for the school, aiming to bring us closer to sustainable development, will translate into a meaningful learning experience for the school community and signifies great support for us. The ability to collect rainwater seems like a fantastic idea: being able to harness the physical phenomenon of water, evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, to capture this resource and learn the technique for water harvesting.”
Emergency Systems
Last, but certainly not least, are the installations of 54 emergency rainwater harvesting systems, and 65 purification filters. Born after the 2017 Mexico City earthquake, and revived after Hurricane Otis hit Guerrero in October 2023, the Rainwater Brigade is an initiative designed to meet the urgent need for clean, safe water in disaster-stricken regions.
As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of natural disasters, the Rainwater Brigade has evolved to provide rapid response solutions to vulnerable communities in crisis. These user-friendly rainwater harvesting and purification systems offer a lifeline during times of loss, destruction, and uncertainty, ensuring that affected families have access to one of life’s most essential resources—clean water.
The impact of this initiative is deeply felt by those it serves. One system beneficiary from Cacahuatepec, Acapulco, Guerrero shared:
“It’s great that they see us. Help never comes here; it all goes to the tourist area.”
These words highlight the importance of the Rainwater Brigade’s mission—not only to provide immediate relief but also to ensure that marginalized communities are not left behind in times of crisis. By prioritizing areas often overlooked in disaster recovery efforts, the initiative fosters resilience and restores hope in the face of adversity.
Thank You For All Your Support!
Beyond individual households, these systems contribute to broader community resilience, ensuring that even during dry seasons, people have a dependable solution to meet their water needs. Each installation brings the promise of a healthier, more sustainable future—one where clean water is not a luxury but a fundamental right.
As Isla Urbana continues to expand its reach, stories like these serve as a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of rainwater harvesting and the importance of your support in helping us bring this solution to more communities in need. Your commitment to inspiring meaningful change, even across geographical boundaries, is immensely admirable. For that, we are eternally thankful.
