Joan has taken the leadership role in our international water projects.  She and her husband, Russ, traveled to Haiti last fall to see if we could find a project and a partner.  She reported that our water project in Bungoma Kenya has had a great impact.  To see more about that project, click HERE for a link.  There was going to be a 2nd project at Ndengelwa Kenya, but it ran into issues with leadership  Since other clubs had pledged support, Joan looked for another project and turned to Haiti, in particular Leogane' which was almost at the epicenter of the earthquake that has left Haiti devastated.  

 

 

The ideal partner would be the Rotary Club of Leogane', but its been reluctant to make a commitment.  Chris, who helped us with the Kenya project, accompanied Joan and Russ.  They visited the Port-Au-Prince Rotary Club to explore it as a potential partner, but it is about a 2 hour drive up into the mountains to Leogane', so it was not willing to partner.  There is still hope that the Rotary Club of Leogane' will step up.

 

Joan has connected with Chantal who purchased property and operates a school for about 110 students, known as the Bethel School.  The property was donated to the community and is a possible location for the water project that would benefit the school and the community.  There is an area on the property at the top of a very steep hill that would need to be cleared.  It is in the Aquine Valley, near Leogane'.  The small school has very few resources and is constructed of card board and other used material.

 

 

Joan and Russ stayed with a contactor that has done other water projects.  Like most of residences, it was walled.  Poverty is rampant and theft is a major issue.  They visited Haiti Tec with Chris who has helped with a program there.  It is very difficult to get accepted and it has a good solar program.  They also connected with a Rotarian from Atlanta, Georgia, Larry Newman, who has been helping in Haiti for 22 years.  He has offered to help mentor with local Rotary clubs.

 

Joan is still hopeful that the Leogane' Rotary Club will come around. Brad and Chris will be visiting again in August. "We need boots on the ground" she says.  Other options to help with international projects include an orphanage renovation in Haiti where we might be able to just use a district grant rather than a global grant.  We could also partner with the IPA with its projects in Honduras or Hands for Peace Making in Guatemala.  The 3 things needed for a Haitian project, according to Joan, 1) patience, 2) patience, & 3) patience.

 

Joan brought back some very good wine from Haiti and she auctioned it off to help with projects.  It sold for $250!

 

Thanks Joan for the update!