Southampton Rotary, in collaboration with Rotary Hand Up, is excited to announce that work started earlier this week on a $54,600 water project in Guatemala. This is being made possible by the receipt of a generous global grant of $34,000 CAD from the Rotary Foundation that the club has been working on for the past 18 months. The Hand Up Clubs have contributed $20,600 to this project. As well as writing the grant application and leading the project on behalf of Hand Up the Rotary Club of Southampton made a direct cash contribution of $2,000 CAD towards this vital endeavour.
On behalf of Hand Up, Southampton Rotary has closely partnered with the Rotary Club of Huehuetenango in Guatemala to execute this initiative.
The project involves the installation of eight rainwater harvesters in the remote highland village of Tuilam, during the fall of 2023.This innovative project will not only provide a supplementary water source for the 490 residents of Tuilam but also alleviate the burden of fetching water from a spring located approximately one kilometer down a steep hill from their village.
Tony Sheard, Chair of the club’s International Services Committee, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Our club has a proven track record of successfully completing international humanitarian service projects, such as our water and maternity health projects in Cameroon. We are delighted to lead this venture in Guatemala on behalf of Hand Up, and we eagerly anticipate its completion in early 2024. Working in collaboration with Pablo Cardona from our partner club, the Rotary Club of Huehuetenango, we have been instrumental in bringing this project a reality, facilitated by the power of modern communication tools such as WhatsApp and Google Translate. This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration, compassion, and Rotary’s unwavering commitment to improving lives worldwide.”
About Hand Up: Hand Up is an association of Rotary Clubs within Rotary District 6330 that has been empowering communities and transforming lives for nearly three decades. While their previous focus was on water, economic, and maternal health projects in Cameroon, recent endeavors have shifted their attention to Guatemala due to temporary suspensions caused by civil unrest and an unstable political climate in Cameroon. For More details: https://rotary6330.org/page/hand-up
About Guatemala: Huehuetenango’s hilly region in Guatemala boasts deep connections to the land and a rich Mayan heritage. Indigenous communities uphold their traditional way of life, preserving customs, languages, and vibrant cultural celebrations. Agriculture, including coffee and potato farming, plays a central role in their livelihoods, thriving in the cool climate and high altitude of the region. The locals’ resilience and resourcefulness are shaped by the rugged terrain, with crafts, textiles, and traditional practices cherished within their close-knit communities. With breathtaking landscapes and a steadfast commitment to tradition, Huehuetenango holds immense cultural significance in Guatemala.
About Southampton Rotary: Southampton Rotary has served this community for over 85 years. We are a group of friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who unite and take action to create lasting change in our community and around the world. We are people of action who have used our passion, energy, and skills to improve lives through service. From promoting literacy and peace to providing clean water, protecting the environment and improving health care, Rotary members are always working to better the world or as we like to say doing “DO-GOODERY!”
