Problems of the 1st World
Who hates it when you go to the bathroom, sit down to do your business in a private stall only to find that there is no toilet paper! Now imagine what it would be like if you didn’t have a private stall, you didn’t have a toilet to sit on and you most definitely don’t have toilet paper. All of a sudden no toilet paper seems inconsequential.
You may or may not know that since 2005, the Gateway Rotary Club has been supporting school construction projects in Mozambique. Along with the construction of schools, equipping students and teachers with basic school supplies is deemed a priority by our club. Our focus has always been on providing education to these impoverished areas of the world. But now we must turn our attention to something equally important if not moreso… a safe, healthy and clean way to go to the bathroom.
Right now, the students do not have access to working toilets. No access means they are required to use a rudimentary system…bare ground with only a reed constructed structure to provide a minimal amount of privacy. This poses a threat to their health, their safety, their dignity.
It is our plan to build a block of toilets, a total of 10 working toilets. To do this we need to raise $50,000 to construct the buildings, provide well access, pumping system as well as septic.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
On May 4th we will be hosting the 10th Annual Winemaker’s Dinner & Fund raiser. This year the proceeds are being split between the “Bathroom Project” in Mozambique and the restoration project of McKay Ave School here in Edmonton. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised at this dinner will go to these 2 worthy causes.
This gourmet 4 course meal, prepared by local celebrity chef Paul Shufelt, will be partnered with wines from Spier Winery in South Africa.
Tickets are now available online at or call your Gateway Rotarian for tickets.
Please help us turn this 3rd world challenge into a first world problem. Together we are stronger.