Keith and Marti Return!!!

Marti Borelli and her husband Keith Ukrig came to our luncheon last Wednesday to update us on their activities in Nicaragua in 2011-2012. Our club has been supporting the work of this couple for 10 years. It is simply amazing to listen to Marti as she relates their activities and goals to make life better for these very poor people live in the country. Their objective in the last several years has been fresh water for the villagers had been drinking unsafe water from a polluted lake that has caused much sickness with all of the villagers. She says that last year they helped 21 families who now have freshwater at their homes. One little fellow said, “Am I going to have water in my house? Yes. Really he said? Yes!!” He was speechless.

As a review for new members Marti review their activities in the last five years:

·       A waterline dug into the soil from a mountain source of water which was located 1 1/2 hours walking distance from the village, 1000 villagers have water.

·       The basketball court was installed for the children in the village to use, to give them some exercise and to keep them out of trouble.

·       They cleaned out an old well and created a cement platform for wash stations to wash their clothes at. 300 people use this facility.

·       They purchased clay water filters for local villagers at a cost of $25 per filter. Simply pour dirty water in the top of the filter and fresh clear water flows out the bottom.

·       A water cistern was constructed to hold water to help in the development of the area for more people to live in.

·       To assist in adult education, electricity was installed in the school so they could have night classes.

It is simply amazing how Keith and Marti can stretch the support dollars which our club gives them. Our financial support this year is $2000 and this was presented to them by Rotarian Doug Fairhall.