One of Rotary International’s worldwide initiatives is to provide clean drinking water to remote and under privileged regions.
The Rotary Club of Sydney Darling Harbour have been active in the past several years in providing clean drinking water to remote rural areas in North East Thailand. The water projects consist of providing and installing water filters in poor schools and orphanages in rural Thailand. To complete these projects, the Darlings have formed an international partnership with the Rotary Club of Bangkok Klongtoey (Thailand) and Rotary Club of Ubon Rachatani (Thailand). The cost of the water filters are financed through contributions from several Rotary Clubs, Rotary District Grants and Matching Grant from Rotary International.
In the 2013 year, the Darlings undertook a water project to purchase and install water filters in 9 schools located in the two provinces of Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand. The project was completed by the Darlings by forming an international partnership comprising of Rotary Club of Ubon, Rotary Club of Bangkok Klongtoey, Rotary District 3350, Rotary Club of Sydney, Rotary Club of Sydney CBD, Rotary Club of Kings Cross, Sydney City Rotaract Club and Rotary District 9750.
Number of Filters installed in schools 2013: 9
Capacity of each filter per day: 1,200 litres
Total student population of 9 schools: 3,246
Total surrounding community population (estimated): 13,200
Cost per student per annum over the life of the filter (10 years) is estimated at $1.10. That is less than a cup of coffee in Australia. A small price to pay for clean drinking water.
In April 2020, despite the world wide lockdowns due to COVID 19 pandemic, the Darlings completed a water project. The project comprised of installing a water filter in a school in Chiang Mai province. The school has around 500 pupils from kindergarten to Year 9 (middle School) and comprise mostly of hill tribe people. The cost of the water filter was funded by the Darlings and a Rotary District 9675 Grant.
The Darlings are currently undertaking the installation of a water filter in Chomthong District in Chiangmai Province in Thailand which is to be completed by April 2021. The Darlings have partnered with the Rotary Club of Wetherill Park and the project is funded by a Rotary District 9675 Grant.
These multi Rotary club project have truly been a successful team effort. If you would like to know more or join our team for the next water project please email international@rotarydarlingharbour.org.au.
