Rotarian Adrian Brewer is the founder of the Isle of Wight-based charity ‘Roll Out The Barrel’.
The charity has been working in primarily African countries over the past eight years, providing them with a simple push and pull 30-litre rotary water barrel with a handle and rubber tyres.
The straight-forward concept has had a major impact on the elderly, women and children who have to collect water from sources miles away from their homes. Each barrel costs just £35 or $50.
Adrian, a member of Vectis Rotary, said: “In 2001 we witnessed children carrying their own weight in water, not just from a local tap to their home, but from miles away. Rolling a rotary water barrel was an instant solution.
“A recent study of sub-Saharan African countries shows that in just one day, women collectively spend an estimated 16 million hours fetching water.
“We were determined to do something about it but at the time not so easily done. For a few years, enquiries were made, but no manufacturer could supply and retail purchasing was also out of the question at nearly £45 each.”
The charity is currently working with a number of organisations with overseas projects who need this simple, cheap technology.
Now, in a separate development, Adrian and the charity, working with Paddington Rotary and other organisations, are looking to help children in the Ivory Coast.
Adrian took delivery of a colourful 40ft shipping container, which has been painted by Tony Trowbridge for the children of Bouafle, Ivory Coast.
“With the help of Paddy McHugh, we are filling it daily with items much needed by a community which is surviving with hardly anything and living in abject poverty.
“The container will be converted to a schoolroom and an arts centre.”
Adrian is appealing for any Rotarians who have had a lockdown clear-out to let him have any items which they want to dispose of.
These include:
- Household and kitchen items: saucepans, non-electrical goods, breakfast bowls, cutlery.
- Clean bedding.
- Wellington boots and umbrellas.
- Sewing machines (all types) and thread.
- School furniture, including desks.
- Good quality children’s toys, children’s books.
- Hand tools, saws, planes, clamps, Workmates, gardening tools, spanners, forks, spades, water hoses.
- Plant pots.
- Rolls of polythene.
- Bicycles, wheelbarrows, push chairs and buggies.
- Cots with mattresses.
- Single or double tents.
- Fold-up chairs.
“We had someone who has donated 1,500 t-shirts, which is excellent,” added Adrian. “If in doubt, please call. We are grateful to you for your help.”
For more details, call: 07809456247
Roll Out The Barrel: www.rolloutthebarrel.org/
