So What Have We Learned

Prove the concept:

We did a pilot at Ciamanda Primary School, which validated our approach and budget, including the ability of local labour to complete the works and maintain them in a sustainable solution.

Obtain Broad Support:

Our project proposal was supported by our five European twinned Rotary Clubs (forming with us the “Double Triangular” Group) in September 2019.  Every one of them donated to the project for a grand total of over $6,000.

Seek District Support:

Formal District Grant application was made in time, but despite the example of all our twinned clubs donating to the project, we were only granted £3000 out of the £7000 we were expecting and had a shortfall in funding the project.

Never Give Up:

How to fill the gap? We turned to crowdfunding, using “GlobalGiving”, an organisation promoted by Rotary, to fill the gap.  We postponed our participation from September to the December Programme.  One of the best decisions we could have made.  It gave us more time to prepare, a longer program to raise money, and a brilliant result – raising a total of over $16,000.

These steps are enough, with the District Grant (whenever that finally appeared), to allow us to complete the project for all the eight wells we planned, and be able to fund maintenance or repairs in the years to follow.

By Peter Greene