More than a year ago representatives from area Rotary clubs put their heads together for an international project. Now, the project has come to fruition. The Branford, Clinton, Guilford, Madison, and North Branford Rotary Clubs successfully concluded a project for those in need of potable water in Uganda. Alpha Coiro, the primary contact for the international sponsor – Branford Rotary – prepared and submitted the Rotary International Future Visions grant application in addition to administering the project from North America.
The five clubs donated $3,000 to $4,000 each. Part of this money was matched by Rotary District 7980 funds. Additional funding was provided through The Rotary Foundation located in Evanston, IL. The primary contact was Chris Ochaloi of the host sponsor-the Soroti Central Rotary Club in Uganda, which supervised the construction of the wells.
The total grant project yielded $41,000 for the drilling of borehole wells in five identified communities in the Kaberamaido and Soroti districts of Uganda. These wells in rural eastern Uganda will service almost 3,000 villagers, including students in one technical school. Previously the only sources of clean water were a distance of 2 to 3 kilometers, which the people walked with jugs on their heads. With the money derived from this grant almost 900 jerry cans were also purchased in order to aid in the transport of water.
Improved health, lower infant mortality, better education, safety for women and girls, and economic and community development are the main immediate and long term outcomes of this project.
The project imparts sustainability through the establishment of a well committee in each village, which will oversee the operation, maintenance, and ownership of individual wells. Training to all villagers using the wells has been provided for proper use and care. Call to Care Uganda in Madison is serving as an intermediary to the Rotary Clubs in CT and Soroti Central in Uganda to periodically investigate well sites.
Uganda is one of the world's poorest countries; its economy has suffered form devastating economic politics and instability. It should be noted that fifty-one percent of the population of the country still live slightly below the international poverty line of $1.25 a day.
For further information about this Rotary project contact Alpha Coiro at 203/503-1829.
