A local service club has taken over the lead of an international project that’s helping to improve the lives of thousands of people in Cameroon, Africa.
The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora has taken over from the Guelph club the three-pronged project that will directly help 16,000 Cameroonians in Bafoussam by:
– installing seven village and one school water systems;
– providing school furniture for three primary schools and also covering school fees for 50 orphaned and/or poor children; and
– supplying treated malaria nets (and education) in five villages to mothers of newborn infants to reduce infection.
“We always contribute to international projects,” said Ron MacKinnon, president of the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora.
All 63 members of the club have been involved with the project, he added, and the club has just recently become the lead on the work, which also involves a handful of other clubs.
The clubs have collectively raised $16,800 towards the total project cost of $56,700, about half of which is covered by Rotary International.
“I think it’s great for various clubs to be involved in these projects because they’re so powerful in effecting change,” MacKinnon said.
He explained the Rotary Club of Bafoussam is in charge of implementing the project in Cameroon and Rotary International conducts both a financial and social audit to oversee the project.
“There’s almost no way it can fail people,” said MacKinnon.
He added each of the Rotary Clubs involved in the project have received many thanks – including original art work – from Cameroonians who have benefitted from the project. He explained one fresh water spring can supply two or three villages with water, whereas before people could spend three to four hours per day walking to get fresh water.
“At the end of the day, it means healthier villages over there,” MacKinnon said.
The project also helps some disadvantaged children get a good start by covering their fees for school and helps to prevent the spread of infection with the malaria nets.
Overall, MacKinnon said local Rotarians are extremely pleased with the Cameroon project.
“Not just because it’s so helpful over there, but secondly, I think it’s the education our club is gaining so we can be involved with more projects like this in the future,” he said.
Rotarian Percy Cole, who has taken a lead role for the Fergus-Elora club, told the Advertiser these types of projects are invaluable to Cameroonians.
“It’s improved their lives tremendously,” he said.
And if anyone should know, it is Cole. Ten years ago he travelled to Cameroon as part of different Rotary project.
“It’s quite a colourful country and peaceful,” he said, adding the people there are generally very friendly and extremely grateful for the help through the Rotary projects.
Now 80, Cole said with a smile it’s unlikely he’ll be travelling to Africa this time around.
But he said the latest project, which should get underway “very shortly,” is an important one with which to be involved.
He noted the Fergus-Elora club is fairly small, but there are thousands of clubs just like it making a difference and doing great work all over the world.
“It’s a marvelous organization, Rotary,” Cole said.
For more information on the local club visit www.ferguselorarotary.com.
