FACT-FINDING VISIT TO CHILE 

Chairman Hugo Pike and fellow Rotarian Ernie McKenna (RC of Frome) visited Chile at the invitation of Rtn Jorge Vega Diaz and the Rotary Clubs of Valparaiso, Talca, Chillan Viejo Marta Colvin, and Talcahuano. The purpose of the visit was to conduct face-to-face interviews with the Rotarians, local city mayors, social workers, and families that had received some of the 400 Water-Survival Boxes sent after the earthquake and tsunami that struck on 27 February.  

Although the feedback was overwhelmingly positive a number of improvements to the box, contents, and the water-purification process, were identified and will be included in the future development of the box and the delivery system.  

Ernie McKenna, a professional film-maker, used his video camera to film the devastation caused and the interviews with those directly involved in distribution and receipt of the boxes. We plan to publish a DVD that will portray the 'Story of the Rotary Water-Survival Box' from the start (receipt of donations), through the packing of boxes, to their transportation overseas, their distribution by Rotarians in the areas affected by natural or man-made disaster, to the end-users (the families that use them to provide a means of purifying water). This will be of particular interest to Rotarians as this project is Rotary from start to finish.  

Photo shows Ernie sampling water having been purified with chlorine tablets and made palatable by the carbon filter - a rare occasion when Hugo was behind the camera!

STOP PRESS - AID TO GUATAMALA

On Tuesday, 15 June we were contacted by RIBI Disaster Relief Co-ordinator Bob Christie and alerted to a developing disaster in Central America affecting Honduras, El Salvador and particularly Guatamala. Following extensive damage from hurricane Agatha several days of torrential rain had flooded large areas leaving families homeless and without access to clean water. 

Contact was made the same day with Rtn Mauricio Valladores of the RC of Ermita, Guatamala City, the co-ordinator of incoming aid. He was supplied with details of the Water-Survival Box to ensure that supplies would be appropriate to the situation. This was quickly confirmed as was his assurances regarding the swift transit through customs and distribution to 'families most in need'. A consignment of 200 boxes was available and arrangements were made with DHL to obtain space on an early flight bound for Guatamala. 

By midday on Thursday, 17 June, the 200 boxes and accompanying paperwork were ready and collected from our depot in Midsomer Norton, N E Somerset.

They will be received by Rtn Mauricio and distributed by members of his Rotary Club.

Another example of donations from Rotarians, being managed by the Rotarian trustees of Worldwaterworks Limited, and distributed by Rotarians in the country concerned.