Rich Lawrence, a Manchester Rotarian who also splits his time between Connecticut and Florida where he's also a member of a Rotary Club there, updated us on his long involvement in the "Guatemala Water Project", a title that doesn't quite do justice to all that's been accomplished there.
Historically, the indigenous Mayan peoples of Guatemala suffer disease and shortened lives due to preventable illnesses caused by lack of access to clean water and the use of primitive stoves that cause pulmonary disease.
Worldwide, 30,000 people die every day from water-related illnesses, with 90% being children <5 years-of-age.
Rotary has a successful track record of improving people's lives by providing them access to clean water and air. Over 13 years, 1 million dollars have been raised and spent to support these efforts.
Working with Aldea, a local not-for-profit, gave Rotary access to local contacts and local acceptance, which enabled success. Locals are able to speak the local dialects, further proving the value of local partnerships.
Submit the results of your pronunciation quiz on the names of these villages direct to Rick Lawrence at his local address. Winners will be entered in a contest in which your generosity is its own reward.
Clubs from 10 Districts raised $91,000.00. The Foundation matrix reimburses the Club at 50%, meaning the Clubs got $45,000.00 back. In contrast, District Designated Funds are reimbursed to Clubs at 100%.
Total put towards this project was $194,823.00.
Aldea's philosophy approximates the adage "Give a man fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he will never be hungry." As such, locals do the labor and are taught how to maintain, extend and when necessary recreate the improvements.
Indigenous Guatemalans average 6.2 children per family. In this project, each family receives its own indoor spigot. Prior to that, family members, often children and women had to walk 20+ minutes each way to access water, water that was often contaminated, and they would have to do so 2 or 3 times daily.
The Central Highlands of Guatemala are inhabited almost exclusively by indigenous Mayans who occupy meager homes. Their area is within 40 miles of active volcanoes and the roads, where they exist are mostly unimproved, i.e. they are rutted dirt tracks.
It is a joyful thing to see and experience the children.
This year's budget is no less ambitious.
This Rotary plaque hangs on each completed water project.
Pine needles cast upon the ground are the Mayan's form of "red carpet."
Each village returns our generosity with these individually made tapestries.
1st of 4 components.
Local labor.
Gray water skimming fixture, top right.
Generator pump and water meter.
Solar installation helps run the pumps.
2nd of 4 components: Gray water filter.
3rd of 4 components: Hygienic toilet
4th of 4 components: Safe "peace corps" stove.
Traditional stove.
Benefits.
Women benefit the most.
Humbling recognition from Rotary.
Hygiene improvement project...
Our Clubs are honored on this plaque. As they say in Guatemala, "Sin Aqua, No Hay Vida", without water there is no life.
ADJOURNMENT
President Heather thanked Rotarians for their attendance, and their forbearance, at another virtual meeting. She then led us in reciting the Four Way Test. Close observers will note Phil Worley dutifully reciting the Four Way Test in the inset image. Keep it up Phil!
Jenny Gonzalez was born in 1970 in the small country town of Perry, Florida, where her parents grew up. They moved to Tallahassee when she was four and she grew up with her brother Jon who is seven years older.
