Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti three years ago, the Rotary Club of Stratford Upon Avon began raising money to bring safe drinking water to the stricken country. Stratford Rotarians were asked for help by the charity, Geologists without Frontiers and they began by donating £5,000. The fundraising effort then snowballed with organisations all over the world contributing and plans were drawn up to build five water wells at a cost of £266,000.
The Stratford Rotarians originally agreed to support the provision of one well, costing £38,000 and a project team set about raising the cash. Other clubs in Rotary District 1060 – which covers the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and part of Staffordshire – also contributed, so that in the event Rotarians were able to sponsor two wells.
Almost three years after the earthquake, Stratford Rotarian, Ken Linfoot visited Haiti to see how work is progressing and to officially open three drinking water points in the capital. Ken said: “There is no shortage of water in Haiti, but the problem is that it is contaminated."
Since May 2012, 70,000 litres of safe drinking water has been available daily from taps at 18 distribution points, enabling people to take home clean water for drinking and washing. Ken added: “I’ve kept in touch with our hotel manager who says that Haiti is slowly getting back on its feet again. We are still looking to help the country on the road to recovery and are currently considering the possibility of helping to provide agricultural training."
