Pura Vida! On Sunday March 26, Ardice Farro and I were guests of the Cartago and San Jose Northeast Rotary Clubs for the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the delivery of a water system to the Copalchi community in Costa Rica.
Copalchi is a 300 family community about 6,000 feet above sea level. Until 2019, no one had running water. The community worked with ASADA, the local development association to plan and fund a 3-part project. The total cost was $450,000. The Rotary Club of Cartago stepped in to help in 2021 with a $60,000 global grant from The Rotary Foundation. The grant included more than 1 mile of hand laid pipe, and three 5,811-gallon water tanks. Currently 235 families are being connected to the water system, with more families coming online in the next few months.
The entire community played a part in completing this project. Many turned out to celebrate, starting with the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Rotary President Alberto Ayon and Copalchi Water District director, Henry Picudo presided. Rotarians were treated to lunch and interviewed by the local paper, Ventanario. The weekly soccer match was dedicated to The Rotary Foundation and Rotarian Rita Leiva made the first kick.
Participating in a global grant is an experience you’ll never forget. You make like-long friends. Not only do you change lives through service, but you are changed as well.
ASADA Copalch for Liquid of Life