Water Well Project Offers Hope
By ANN DOMIN, Guest Writer

Nicaragua.  It is a land of contrasts.  Sparkling white ocean surf; murky brown polluted lakes.  Profuse bouganvilla;  prolific roadside litter.  Great wealth;  extreme poverty.   Contempor-ary cell towers poised outside an ancient cathedral bell tower.   World class art;  medical clinics devoid of modern equipment.  What is ubiquitous and enduring, however, are the welcoming smiles of the beautiful people of Nicaragua.

I was privileged to accompany a team from the Rotary Club of Tulsa to Nicaragua in February as part of the club’s water well project.  Under the experienced direction of Rotarian David Peterson, we spent five days in the relentless Nicaraguan sun.  Our mission: delivering drilling equipment, observing a drill hit an underground aquifer, checking on small villages sprouting up near water wells established the previous year, visiting new schools filled with children from the villages, and checking on tiny Spartan medical clinics called upon to serve way too many people.

This land of contrasts evokes a range of emotions.  I will be forever haunted by the memory of children with few advanced education and employment opportunities and by the sight of hungry, emaciated livestock and village dogs.  I will be forever inspired by thoughts of dedicated, generous Leon Rotary Club members and by the promise of a better life that accessible potable water and medical supplies bring to Nicaraguan families.

The needs in Nicaragua are enormous; much remains to be done.  But progress is unmistakable.   The Rotary Club’s water well project has truly made a difference in the lives of so many of these wonderful people. 

To Judge and Elaine Peterson, Linda and Wayne Bradshaw, Del Dreyer, Brenda Melancon, Fred DiLibero and Tina Miller, my sincere thanks for allowing me to take this amazing journey with you.

 

POSTED: 03-15-10