Video Speaker 18th June 2021 - David Jordan, Chair of Excellent Development

David Jordan, Chair of Excellent Development, the charity which pioneered Sand Dams in impoverished areas of the world, was our speaker. 

Member Helen Salisbury, who in her year as President chose Sand Dams as the International Charity for Club support, introduced David Jordan.

David started his talk with the claim that 1.1 million of the world’s poorest people have transformed their own lives with sand dams. With women and children spending up to 12 hours per day collecting water, time is not available for education or any form of social and economic development. In drylands up to 45% of rainfall is lost to run off, not conserved and adding to the degradation of soil and the local environment. 

David explained how sand dams work and their impact – within 30 minutes of their homes people having available water free from contamination and protected from evaporation. With water from brief rainy seasons stored, and renewed annually, people have transformed their lives – water being available for people, animals, tree nurseries and, together with terracing, crops grown for local consumption or cash, fuelling local economies. All with consequential beneficial impacts on health.

David showed photographs of dams supported by the Club:

With the support of over 200 Clubs, about £1 million has been invested by Rotary in Sand Dams resulting in 69 sand dams built, giving 121,564 people safe access to water, and enabling over 30 self-help groups to transform lives within  communities.  With the opportunity and hope created by Rotary, David said that families are breaking free from a life of poverty and dependency.

An informative Q & A session followed which underlined members’ interest and commitment to charitable activity which enabled people to transform their own lives and lead a sustainable lifestyle.

Further information and contacts:

Website: www.excellent.org.uk

Facebook: facebook.com/excellentdevelopment

Twitter: @thisisexcellent.