Many Rotary Clubs in District 7070 have assisted Whitby-Sunrise Rotarian Steve Rutledge for a number of years with his projects in Laos. It sure makes me feel good to be a Rotarian and to know that we have helped make a real difference to so many. Thank you, Steve. Read more for the update from Steve.....
My fellow Rotarians,
This is an exciting time for us..to announce the completion of so many projects this year, and the positive change we made together, for well over 3,000 rural villagers! We could never have accomplished so much without the Power of Rotary!
This year was particularly fulfilling. I know that many of you have had Laos on your bucket list for some time now but some of you can put a checkmark beside this destination. In addition to visitors from Malaysia, Singapore and Italy, we were visited by Rotarians from our own Whitby Sunrise Club, Ladner, BC, Coquitlam and Coquitlam Sunrise, plus others...not all at the same time of course. We hope that more of you will decide to make the leap for next season!
In summary, we completed two water projects and a cultural teaching centre, sponsored 14 students ranging from primary school to university, distributed feminine pads to a secondary school to keep the girls in school and distributed 623 family water filters for about 3100 people. Many of these filters were donated by members of your clubs. We also installed solar panels for villages without electricity and other smaller projects. It is such an honour to be a Rotarian! The first photos will be seen in the next issue of SNAP'd Whitby.
For your reference I have enclosed some pictures of the water project, our university students and the feminine pad distribution. While our video is currently being worked on, it should be ready in a couple of weeks, at which time I would be happy to visit your clubs and provide you a more exciting summary of what we accomplished and the challenges we faced.
Take Care and I look forward to heading back to Canada in a couple of weeks. Can someone please get rid of the snow?
Thanks Again
Steve Rutledge http://AdoptAVillageinLaos.wor
The Project: To install a permanent water supply to serve the village - Multiple Goals include improved productivity by saving hours (daily) in the collection of water, more education whereby more kids are able to attend school (instead of trekking for water), improved hygiene resulting in better health (rather than reusing the water they have to trek for), and a reduction in infant mortality. To install a permanent water supply to serve the village - Multiple Goals include improved productivity by saving hours (daily) in the collection of water, more education whereby more kids are able to attend school (instead of trekking for water), improved hygiene resulting in better health (rather than reusing the water they have to trek for), and a reduction in infant mortality.
Location - Ban PhouKou, 4 hours north, then west from Luang Prabang, Northern Laos.
Dates: November 1, 2017 to May 1, 2018
Other Information: This Hmong Village is a neighbouring village to Thong Thuen where the Water Project has just been completed. It is our intent to run a permanent water supply from the newly built tank in Thong Thuen, (about 9.5km away) through two much smaller tanks (to reduce pipe pressure) and provide 6 taps in the village.
Project Benefits - Without the necessity to trek for water, precious time and effort is being saved to be able to become more productive in their rice fields and vegetable farms. This will result in getting more product to market. With more time, the kids are now going to school instead of trekking for water, which means more education. Also, with much easier access to water, the elders and smaller children are able to collect water. The villagers often use the same water for multiple tasks including the washing of hands by everyone that eats in the same household, in the same small bucket of the same water…easily passing on many of the illnesses they get, to others. Through access to fresh water and proper training, this is no longer the case. They now use new water for hand cleansing. In combination with a related project we did with many Rotarians, water filters to every family were provided and will result in happier, healthier and longer lives. It also provides hope to the families. We also expect a significant reduction in infant mortality with better health.
Rotarians and Friends of Rotary assisted in the construction of the tap towers for the village including ground levelling, forming and tying metal rods, mixing cement etc., in addition to fundraising activities, logistics, materials purchase and delivery, donor reporting and accountability reports. The on-site services will be managed by Rotarian Steve Rutledge (Whitby Sunrise District 7070) and Adopt A Village in Laos (a registered Ontario Charity).
Participating Clubs: Rotary Clubs of Whitby-Sunrise, Bowmanville, Ajax, Courtice, North Scarborough, Etobicoke, Oshawa, Oshawa Parkwood, Port Hope, Pickering,Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Toronto West, Uxbridge, Whitby, Gravenhurst, Lunenberg and Clarington Interact Club.
All tools and materials are now owned by the Village of Phoukou. The village chief is responsible for supervising and assigning duties for period maintenance as it may be required from time-to-time. (ie. Pipe repairs, cleaning of tank and dam area). The cost of replacement connectors, pipe and related material will be divided equally among the village families.
Rotary symbols - There is permanent signage including the Rotary Wheel symbol with a listing of all Rotary Clubs who participated financially or otherwise, at the site. Pictures are enclosed with this report. Further, Adopt A Village in Laos has posted in its regular blog and facebook of the progress and completion. Visiting Rotarians have also taken their own pictures and video and posted them in their newsletters (where they apply), and on facebook. Articles will be submitted to the District Newsletter and our local Metroland Media in Durham region. They often reprint in several of their newspapers in North America. Presentations are being prepared with video and slides of the Rotary work performed and presented to various Rotary Clubs here, in the Vancouver area, Lunenberg area, plus Interact Clubs, schools and special interest groups including, but not limited to Lions Clubs, Probus, Interact, and Rotaract Clubs, including fundraisers such as bridge tournaments, golf tournaments, and other events, etc. The first series of pictures with captions, has already been submitted to SNAP Whitby.
This was all made possible with a District 7070 Grant and the help form many Rotary Clubs. Steve will be going back to Laos in 2018-19 for another humanitarian project. If you and your Rotary Club wish to help SteveRutledge, he can be reached at srutledge@bell.net
