An "Economic Development" project was started in 2015 through the Rotary Club of Everett and continues today. Since 2015 there have been efforts to create a micro-lending initiative, in collaboration with a local agrarian bank, for building “Shade Gardens”, which are netted greenhouses, which can then be used for commercial production of vegetables in nine villages in the Dajabon Province. The goal is to build twenty-seven 300 square meter gardens. In connection to the greenhouses, there is also entrepreneurial training programs provided by partner agencies which focuses on agricultural production, organic gardening, and financial management to help the villages capitalize on this new resource and create successful, sustainable entrepreneurship.

 

Five of the twenty-seven gardens have been completed and are in production with the remaining twenty-two gardens targeted for completion during the remainder of 2022 and probably early 2023.

 

A key issue has also been trying to resolve water shortages, especially in the summer months of the Dominican Republic.  The Rotary Club of Everett is interested in finding a Rotary Club partner that brings interest and experience in water projects. The current 30-year-old water system is inadequate to serve a growing population in rural Dajabon Province, as well as the new economic opportunities. The water system is dependent on rainfall and in the Dominican Republic dry season of the year the system provides water only intermittently. At times the water availability reduces from a few hours daily to every other day and at its worst, every third day. Ideally the system would supply sufficient water for people, plants and animals on a consistent basis.

 

The Chacuey Central Water Committee has asked for support in the construction of a new 30,000-gallon water tank in the village of Chacuey. The estimated cost is $32,000 based on information provided by Roberto Valdez, an engineer and member of the Dajabon Rotary Club. The water project would focus on creating solutions to an outdated aqueduct system serving villages where the supply of water falls far short of meeting the local needs and would benefit the existing greenhouse projects.

 

The system currently includes four large tanks filled from an aqueduct and one well located in the community of Sabana Larga. The system management is overseen by the Chacuey Central Water Committee under the capable leadership of Angel Maria Tejada Ramos, who has led this committee for many years.

 

The Everett Rotary Club travels to Dajabon three to four times annually, with plans to return September 30th to October 3rd to get a better understanding of the existing system, better define issues, and discuss long term plans for enhancing the system.

 

If the Rotary Club of Arlington would like more information regarding these projects, fellow Rotarians, Julie Herber or Ed Petersen, have offered to present further information at a later meeting.

 

Editor's Note:  This is one of 3 International Service Projects that our Foundation Committee has been looking at for possible participation