On a medium sized mountain called Cyakabiri in the center of Rwanda sets Binunga Village where ‘Urukundo Home for Children’was started in 2006 by Arlene Brown.
The Home for Children has 44 children, aged between 1 and 19 years.
The project is funded by the Rotary Foundation through a Matching Grant initiated by the Rotary Club of Forest Hills in Pittsburgh, USA and hosted by the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga.
Over 8800 gallons a day will be pumped up a mountain to the orphanage/school and a village of about 2500 people that have no water at that level and must travel down the mountain to manually haul water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and to water livestock.
The project estimated at a cost of Rwf41.6 Million, will free women and children of the burden of hauling the water.This will make more abundant water available for these uses and for gardening.
“This project is typical of the good works and projects that Rotary International provides” says Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga President Dr. Jolly Mazimhaka.
Kigali-Virunga Rotary Club is also behind the initial idea of establishing the first public library in Rwanda (across from the US Embassy at Kacyiru) which, it is hoped, will open later this year.
The project was officially launched this past Saturday 18th February, 2012 at a village just outside of Gitarama.
This was an important event for the community who turned up singing songs of appreciation to all parties that made this project a reality.
Through the songs and poetry/spoken word the community also pledged to look after the solar powered water pumps.
To better understand just what this community had to go through to fetch just one jerry can of water, visiting Rotarians walked down a steep slope to look at the source/spring water.
Whilst the walk down the slope was slippery often requiring that one uses both hands not to fall down, walking back proved to be even a bigger challenge – an exercise reserved for those who are fit and strong.
This made those with running water in their homes to realize just how fortunate they are.
About Rotary
Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
There are 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.
There are 5 Rotary Clubs in Rwanda, 4 in Kigali and 1 in Butare. Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga meets every Wednesday at 7 PM at the Umubano /Laico Hotel. New members and guests are always welcome.
Additional Information Contact;
Urukondo Foundation Water Project:
Prof. William Kosar 0784 529 057/ [email protected]
Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga:
President Dr. Jolly Mazimhaka/[email protected]
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