Trip Report - Mar 2017
Larry Johnson’s Journey to Niger - March 2017
.PNG)
“I bring you warm greetings from our Rotarian Brothers and Sisters in Niger, and also the deep gratitude of the Villagers of Tarodi Commune. I have returned from a 4-day odyssey filled with many Rotary moments. I have witnessed the most horrible of living conditions - a population in desperation - but, I have also witnessed the indefatigable spirit and strength of a proud and brave people, and the positive impact that projects like ours can have. I looked into the faces of the women, children, and the men, and saw familiar faces. They were the faces of people I see every day on the streets and in the neighborhoods of LA, and almost every American city.
During this brief visit, I was able to witness the successful drilling of the first new well as part of our project and the beginning of a second new bore hole well. This drilling event was the highlight of a celebration in the community for this launch event, and carried by National TV. In attendance was the VP of the National Assembly, the Governor of Tillaberi, the Mayor of Tarodi, the local Village Chief, the World Vision Regional Head, the Rotary District Governor Nominee and members of the Niamey area Rotary Clubs, along with over 500 area residents. All of the speakers acknowledged the welcomed support of Rotary International, World Vision and Wells Bring Hope. This successful community project prompted the local National Assembly representative to announce the Government’s allocation of 500,000 of local currency for purposes supporting the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene needs of the people of this region.
We next visited a village in desperate need of clean water. The children appeared to not have bathed in months, and were in obvious need of food, water and medical attention. The women and young girls walked long distances to access a substandard water source. When questioned they reported clean water as their most pressing need. This community is on the list to receive the benefits of our project.
Our last Village was one that had benefited from a Wells Bring Hope well along with a full sanitation training effort and a most successful micro-loan program. Control of the well, as well as responsibility for the microloan program was the responsibility of the Village women who embraced these responsibilities with dedication and pride. The women of the village were overcome by joy and gratitude when they were told who we were. They spontaneously broke out in dance to celebrate both our arrival and our work to help them. I expressed our desire to do more to help and one of the women asserted that if they only received one drop of water, the fact that we cared, comforted them and filled them with joy!
Thank you for affording me an opportunity of a life time!
Yours in Rotary,
Larry
Lawrence R. Johnson