Today we have Ollie Howes and Matt Keighery, from the Willoughby Friends of Ossu (WFOO), speaking on their 3 stage water project in Ossu, East Timor.
Ossu, a village of 6000 people, in the Makasae district 5 hours’ drive from Dilli, with clean water & Hygiene their key issue. This includes the social question of who ‘owns’ the water, the large distance travelled to collect water, as well as the need to wash hands & flush toilets.
WFOO in conjunction with ‘Engineers without Borders’ & Water Aid(Dilli) & a local group of plumbers developed a 3 stage program to supply water to the village. Stage 1 is complete, which means 3 schools and the village ‘Tap Stands’ have tap water. Stage 2 will include 2 more schools, the medical centre, church and other key building in the village. Whilst stage 3 will flow onto the outer areas.
Other keys points to note were a) a local water management group is set up to ‘maintain’ the system(this includes training) b) Youth leadership is very important as 40% of the people are under 15, so RYLA is a key tool.
Currently WFOO has a Rotary international Grant application, and is looking for a East Timor club to assist. Angelo offered his assistance, as he has all the connections in East Timor.
Thanks Ollie & Matt for a very informative presentation, including a video and some great photos. For those of us who have never been to East Timor, it gave us an appreciation of the issues & great work being done.
Congratulations to member Tom Sweeney who received an OAM in the Queen's Birthday honours for services to the Arts and the Crows Nest Community. Tom will be the MC at next week's Changeover night.
New BBQ roster starts in July but we are still finalising dates with Bunnings. Watch this space.
Reminders
Wednesday June 27th - The Club's Changeover Night is at the Northbridge Golf Club, Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge. RSVP to Angelo by Friday 22nd.
Monday July 9th - Board Meeting
Saturday July 7th - District Changeover
Saturday 25th August - Trivia night @ Chatswood Rotary
.JPG)
