Water Projects in the Dominican Republic
Posted by Joseph R. Mazzola
Broomfield Evening Rotary Club Initiates Clean Water Projects in the Dominican Republic
Rotary International has several avenues clubs may take to participate in domestic and international community services The 1.2 million members in 33,000 Rotary clubs worldwide are free to choose the method they feel meets their particular situation.
Since 2003, the Broomfield evening Rotary Club has had a World International Service Committee of composed of three Club members. Over the years, they have reviewed many World Community Service Projects, and, using the committee's research, the club has chosen to participate in 10 clean Water and sanitation projects world wide in Asia, Africa, and Central America over the past 7 years.
For several years, the Broomfield Rotary Club's World Service Committee has been working with the Fort Collins Colorado Rotary Club WSC and their president, Alan Ashbaugh, on clean water and Sanitation projects in El Salvador and Guatemala. As a partner of these projects, the Broomfield Rotary WSC had the opportunity to become acquainted with Rotarians, and Peace Corp. contacts in Central America., and the Caribbean area. Alan Ashbaugh has extensive experience in the initiation and operation of clean water projects.. It was through effective networking that Dominican Republic water projects were offered to the evening Broomfield Rotary Club for possible participation. Gabe Miller, a Peace Corp volunteer (CSU Engineer Graduate), sent an original write-up identifying two clean water projects in the Dominican Republic. The rural villages of La Descubierta and Los Uveros, located in the high country along the north shore of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean region, were to be the beneficiaries of the projects.
Subsequent to Gabe's report, the Host Rotary Club, city of Puerto Plata, prepared the initial requests for financial help to construct a water distribution system which would carry clean water to these remote communities. Rotarian Bob Hildrith of the Puerto Plata Rotary, and Gabe Miller collaborated in preparing additional information on water needs of the villages . Their discussions included proposed engineering designs of the aqueducts system to deliver the vital potable water to these remote area. To construct the aqueduct systems from the clean water source to the villages, it was also reported that volunteer labor, at no cost, would be provided by the men o1 the villages. Both villages located in the mountains of the Dominican Republic , now suffer from the lack of sustainable potable water. Currently the village women and children walk long distances to obtain bacteria and parasite contaminated water; the only water available. The obvious result is families weakened by severe gastro- intestinal illnesses.
Bob Hildrith and Gabe Miller exchanged information with the Broomfield Rotary's World Community Service Committee. Important questions were accurately answered and as well a discussion of the available organizational avenues open to Broomfield so the projects could move forward with approval by District 5450 and Rl. This approval is necessary for the participating Clubs to obtain matching funds for the two Dominican Republic water projects. On one occasion, in the exchange of messages, Broomfield received awaited confirmation from the manager of the Dominican Republic 3H Grant #70426, Bob Hildrith that this Dominican Republic 3H Grant had been expanded to included the two Dominican Republic water projects. Having the two Dominican Republic water projects accepted under the full umbrella of the 3H Grant #70426, makes it easier to acquire project funds for the on-site project managers who must procure materials and purchase the water pipe
With inclusive confirmation that the projects had been approved by District 5450 and Rl matching grants, the Broomfield World Community Service Committee had successfully completed the matching grant process. Copies of all necessary reports and documents were provided to complete the files of Broomfield Rotary Club and the other Rotary Clubs participating in either one of the two projects.
At this point, the committee was satisfied that all requirements had been met, and, therefore, the BWSC recommended that the Rotary Board of Directors approve a grant of $4,725.00 to fund the Los Uveros Project. Both Dominican Republic Projects, as of September 30, 2010, were underway with local members of the communities trenching of the aqueducts. The pipelines will be laid soon along with construction of tanks to hold the captured water for use. The goal for project completion is January. 2011
Since 2003, the Broomfield evening Rotary Club has had a World International Service Committee of composed of three Club members. Over the years, they have reviewed many World Community Service Projects, and, using the committee's research, the club has chosen to participate in 10 clean Water and sanitation projects world wide in Asia, Africa, and Central America over the past 7 years.
For several years, the Broomfield Rotary Club's World Service Committee has been working with the Fort Collins Colorado Rotary Club WSC and their president, Alan Ashbaugh, on clean water and Sanitation projects in El Salvador and Guatemala. As a partner of these projects, the Broomfield Rotary WSC had the opportunity to become acquainted with Rotarians, and Peace Corp. contacts in Central America., and the Caribbean area. Alan Ashbaugh has extensive experience in the initiation and operation of clean water projects.. It was through effective networking that Dominican Republic water projects were offered to the evening Broomfield Rotary Club for possible participation. Gabe Miller, a Peace Corp volunteer (CSU Engineer Graduate), sent an original write-up identifying two clean water projects in the Dominican Republic. The rural villages of La Descubierta and Los Uveros, located in the high country along the north shore of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean region, were to be the beneficiaries of the projects.
Subsequent to Gabe's report, the Host Rotary Club, city of Puerto Plata, prepared the initial requests for financial help to construct a water distribution system which would carry clean water to these remote communities. Rotarian Bob Hildrith of the Puerto Plata Rotary, and Gabe Miller collaborated in preparing additional information on water needs of the villages . Their discussions included proposed engineering designs of the aqueducts system to deliver the vital potable water to these remote area. To construct the aqueduct systems from the clean water source to the villages, it was also reported that volunteer labor, at no cost, would be provided by the men o1 the villages. Both villages located in the mountains of the Dominican Republic , now suffer from the lack of sustainable potable water. Currently the village women and children walk long distances to obtain bacteria and parasite contaminated water; the only water available. The obvious result is families weakened by severe gastro- intestinal illnesses.
Bob Hildrith and Gabe Miller exchanged information with the Broomfield Rotary's World Community Service Committee. Important questions were accurately answered and as well a discussion of the available organizational avenues open to Broomfield so the projects could move forward with approval by District 5450 and Rl. This approval is necessary for the participating Clubs to obtain matching funds for the two Dominican Republic water projects. On one occasion, in the exchange of messages, Broomfield received awaited confirmation from the manager of the Dominican Republic 3H Grant #70426, Bob Hildrith that this Dominican Republic 3H Grant had been expanded to included the two Dominican Republic water projects. Having the two Dominican Republic water projects accepted under the full umbrella of the 3H Grant #70426, makes it easier to acquire project funds for the on-site project managers who must procure materials and purchase the water pipe
With inclusive confirmation that the projects had been approved by District 5450 and Rl matching grants, the Broomfield World Community Service Committee had successfully completed the matching grant process. Copies of all necessary reports and documents were provided to complete the files of Broomfield Rotary Club and the other Rotary Clubs participating in either one of the two projects.
At this point, the committee was satisfied that all requirements had been met, and, therefore, the BWSC recommended that the Rotary Board of Directors approve a grant of $4,725.00 to fund the Los Uveros Project. Both Dominican Republic Projects, as of September 30, 2010, were underway with local members of the communities trenching of the aqueducts. The pipelines will be laid soon along with construction of tanks to hold the captured water for use. The goal for project completion is January. 2011