Microsoft word - lougou wcs final report 121211 _2_.doc
Rotary District 5580 Grants Subcommittee World Community Service Final Report (updated Dec. 28/03) A. Project
District 5580 Project # 11.4.18 TRF-MG #: ___________CRCID-MG#__________ Location: Lougou, Haiti
Brief description/objectives: Install 100 Sawyer Water Filter Systems so villagers in Lougou, Haiti have clean, safe water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Urgency to complete ASAP because of cholera outbreak throughout Haiti and in the village as well. B. Report prepared by:
Name: Stephen D Sherner Date: December 3, 2011
Address (complete): 6890 S Fitch Avenue, Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849
Phone: ( 218 ) 343-9159 Fax: (715) 374-3282
Email: [email protected] C. Activities during the past 6 months [output] Project period March-September 2011 List of Activities Who Did It [Name] Lougou Exploratory Trip to assess Lorrie Fox, Mike March 14-21 water & sanitary situation, COFHED Cochran, Steve & and its community development Jane Sherner process, meet village leaders and local Rotary Club WINEAUX Fund Raiser dedicated to Sarah Cron & other Lougou water project, Harbortown North Shore Club agreed to match up to first $3000 WCS Grant Application Steve, Mike & Sarah Early April Purchase equipment & supplies Steve & COFHED May & June Deliver & install 100 Sawyer systems, Steve, COFHED and June & July provide training to Lougou Water Lougou Water Committee so they could train villagers Committee (LWC) Rotary Visit Project Fund Disbursement & Accting North Shore Club April-Sept. Develop proposal to fund 80 addt. LWC, COFHED & Sawyer systems Purchase & Deliver supplies Steve & COFHED Install systems & train villagers COFHED, LWC July & August Project Update Presentations to Clubs Steve & Sarah Draft Article on Project December Develop Press Release December D. What difficulties have been encountered? Original concept of sharing system didn’t make sense as villagers viewed as so precious that systems were all located indoors rather than in common area between closely located domiciles. It is probably best that we ended up with one per household anyway as the key is proper hygiene and cleaning of the system and single household use versus sharing minimizes the risks exposure associated with improper use or contamination. E. What changes have occurred in the lives of the recipients [target population], as a result of this project [outcome]? 1600 villagers in Lougou as well as the teachers & students of the Lougou Academy that live outside the village and COFHED mission house & workers have save, clean water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene for the first time in their lives. Lougou had suffered 2 deaths and 22 hospitalized from cholera before we installed the Sawyer filter systems in late June. COFHED reported in early October that there had not been a single case of cholera or typhoid since the pure water systems were put in service. Also the community nurse reported that the children appear healthier and happier, since being on good water for the first time in their lives. Hopefully the upcoming medical mission in February 2012 will report fewer cases of the chronic diarrhea, dysentery, parasites, and other water borne diseases than in the past. There have been 4 case of cholera in the village during the rainy season in October and November but with early intervention by the community nurse , hospitalization, and drinking filtered water all have recovered nicely. These folks had the filter systems so the nurse investigated and made sure they were being properly use. Nick believes some and possibly all had traveled outside the village and may have not taken filtered water with them or ate meals elsewhere. During the same period a neighboring village without pure water or the early detection & intervention program had 8 or 9 deaths from cholera. F. What new experience, skills, understanding, have been acquired by District 5580 Rotarians as a result of this project? This is the North Shore Club’s first international project and they benefited from working with the Harbortown Club which has significant knowledge and experience in this area. As Rotarians we learned a lot about water treatment technologies and in particular the Sawyer filter systems. We were exposed to the COFHED community development process and saw firsthand how effective it has been in Lougou. Projects like this require a site visit to understand the unique situation and logistics. Had we not made the exploratory trip then a single centralized system was being planned by COFHED and the LWC, and this would not have been nearly as effective. G. How has this project enhanced partnership and international fellowship among Rotarians? This was a joint project between North Shore, Harbortown, and COFHED, and has helped cement a bond for further work together in Haiti. COFHED proved to be an effective international NGO partner. As part of the exploratory trip in March 2011, we did meet with the President and a couple of senior members of the Rotary Club in Les Cayes, Haiti about 1 hour drive from Camp Perrin and Lougou. They indicated that they were already involved in four TRF projects and could not take on more at the time. We enjoyed meeting the Le Cayes Rotarians and we had good fellowship on a social level, but ultimately we disagreed on the most effective and cost efficient solution to remedy the urgent problem in Lougou. . We hope to connect with them on future visits and show them what we accomplished in Lougou as a model for clean water projects in other Haitian villages. The senior member with past water project experience had only done water pipeline projects and had no knowledge or experience with the latest water treatment technologies for third world use. H. How have women participated in the management of this project? Sarah Cron of the North Shore Club led the fund raising effort and played a lead role in project management. Numerous women from North Shore were involved in putting on the fundraiser. Lorrie Fox from Harbortown participated in the exploratory trip and played a lead role in obtaining medical supplies & equipment. Jane Sherner served as our photographer and documented both trips to Lougou. One of the two field directors for COFHED, Madeleine Avignon, played a lead role in the interface between our group and the villagers and the various Lougou committees. These committees are about equally populated with women and men. The Lougou water committees that we interfaced with extensively had several very active and involved female members. Two of the Avignon’s daughters, Cassie and Shamika, served as translators and tour guides. I. How has this project impacted the environment [physical, social, cultural]? This project had no physical environment impact but does have significant social and cultural impacts. This is the first time the villagers have had safe, clean drinking water and sufficient quantities for cooking and personal hygiene. The cholera in the village was stopped in its tracks and the community nurse has already witnessed healthier, happier children and less occurrence of the normal chronic illnesses associated with bad water. Letting the Lougou Water Committee take the leadership role in deciding on the solution (Sawyer Filter Systems) and then on the associated distribution and training of the systems further strengthens their leadership positions and the value of the village lead community development effort. This was the villagers’ first exposure to Rotarians and their efforts to assist and support the Lougou community. In just two visits lasting friendships have already developed. Work is underway to further assist Lougou in meeting many of its urgent infrastructure needs. J. What lessons have been learned with the completion of this project? The Sawyer filter systems are a very cost effective, simple option for clean, safe water for household use in third world countries. A system should be provided for each household as sharing proved not to make sense as discussed earlier. The COFHED community engagement model works. It is based upon helping the villagers become organized to determine and express their own needs and establish their own priorities. The people of Lougou are actively engaged in helping themselves and welcomed our help in supporting their efforts. We provided viable options and they decided on what made the most sense for their situation. The plight of the people of Haiti is heart wrenching and their need for help is massive. K. Publicity See attached PowerPoint presentation and pictures. An article about the project and the effectiveness of the Sawyer filters is under development for use in Rotary publications and by Sawyer. Sarah Cron has agreed to develop a press release. L. Financial Report see Final Financial Report attached Rotary District 5580 WCS Committee Final Project Report Final Financial Report
Expenditures [itemize] [convert foreign currencies to US $] Item Budget Sawyer Point 1 Filter Hand carried to Haiti to save $200 5 gallon plastic bucket with lid and adapter hole 5 gallon plastic bucket with lid and spigot Doses of Albendazole (dewormer) Authorized purchase of 6000 doses @$.10 each Cinder blocks 55 gallon plastic barrel with spigots and stand Installed 200 gal storage and includes fittings, values, etc. Gallons of Bleach for decontamination Authorized purchase of 200 ½ gallons @$3 each Shipping & handling COFHED provided transportation from Port of Prince COFHED project coordinator, translators, local $1900 provide transportation Miscellaneous materials and supplies Includes school light bulbs tools, and soccer ball School system O&M Hired local maintain man to provide O&M for Academy water system
Receipt of Funds [convert foreign currencies to US $] Funding Source This Period
District 5580 Rotary Club (North Shore) $2330 $2350
Co-Sponsor Rotary Club (Harbortown)
Other (specify): COFHED $11631 $11700
*** Clubs and COFHED split the $6000 costs 50/50 for the additional 80 filter systems that went beyond the original project scope. Foreign Exchange Rates Used: ___________________
Unspent funds are deposited where?
Location: ________________________ Amount: ________________
Reflections: Purim and ‘Reality TV’ Parshat T’tzaveh/Zachor/Purim 5769 Jews have always been ahead of their time. We take great pride in being ‘ahead of the curve’ and pioneers in society, even if the things of which we are most proud aren’t necessarily the best. Our forefather, Abraham, was smashing idols at a time when most people couldn’t imagine that there might be