This weeks program was chosen by Ohio Pathways Rotary E-Club Member, Chris Cheney from Waterville, Ohio.

Chris stated that, “this video was taken when Deb and I went to Sri Lanka for the opening celebrations of their water filtration systems in the villages of Sri Lanka!”

In some parts of Sri Lanka, people are facing a severe lack of drinking water, causing much hardship. Some of these villagers are also falling victim to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKDu).

CKDu has affected around 20,000 people and claims the lives of around 2,000 people annually, according to the Presidential Task Force established to tackle this problem.

It is in this backdrop that the Rotary Club of Colombo initiated a programme to raise funds to provide clean water by installing the necessary infrastructure in affected areas in the most rural parts of the country, with support from the Rotary Clubs in the United States of America (USA) and Japan and also Rotary International.

Thirty such plants have been installed at a cost of more than Rs. 45 million, with the beneficiaries being involved from the start to ensure sustainability.

Seven of these plants were commissioned recently in Bellaganwewa (Girandurukotte), Pihitiwewa (Dimbulugalla), Kandakaduwa (Welikanda), Maha Ambagaswewa (Medirigiriya), Mailankulama (Padaviya), Vanni Pallugollewa (Parasangaswewa) and Sri Vajirarama Temple (Nochchiyagama), with the participation of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Ohio, USA, senior Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Colombo and village leaders.

Rotarian Mohammed Abidally said that these projects have brought much joy to affected villagers who were earlier drinking water which was probably killing them. “We must do more to help those affected,” he added.

From literacy and peace to water and health, Rotary is working to better the world. There are over 35,000 Rotary Clubs worldwide with more than 1.2 million members. Formed in 1968, the Rotary Club of Colombo is the first club in the country and has over 100 members.