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: ssherner@centurytel.net
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: ________________

Source: http://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000001308/en-us/files/homepage/lougou-haiti-water-project-worksheet/LougouWCSFinalReport121211_2_.pdf