by Geoff Lovell

Project Stakeholders

In a world where more than 3 million people die each year because of water related diseases, including cholera, typhoid, dysentery and many more viral and bacterial infections, and where more than 1.1 billion people do not even have access to safe drinking water, then projects that can help to reduce the incidence of water borne diseases the third largest health issue in Indonesia are a welcome form of aid to any of these afflicted areas.

Rotary International recognises the need to make safe water a world priority so it encourages all Rotary districts and clubs to support efforts which will help people to provide themselves with safe water. The safe water projects are to be reasonably close to homes or villages and use simple sustainable technology, This policy is reflected in projects of all sizes in all parts of the world.

One of these projects recently completed and commissioned is the water tanks project of Bali Amed region, a joint project between RC Bali Jimbaran, and 5 clubs from district 9470 in Western Australia, these clubs were RC. Armadale-Neerigen Brook, RC. Byford and Districts, RC. Belmont, RC. Thornlie, and the RC. Como.

This project is a RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service ) Western Region authorized project, WR702-2008. The project was originally planned to build 3 water tanks of 80,000 liters in villages in the Amed, and Karangasem Regency, this area lies in the rain shadow of mountains including Gunung Agung which is 3124 meters or well over 10,000 feet high. It is a stark contrast to the lush, tropical rest of Bali. Along the coast there are many wells in the aquifer which provide sufficient water to the tourist hotels and those fortunate enough to live near by, but up the steep slopes of the bukits it is bone dry except during the short rainy season from November to February.

A party of 15 Rotarians and partners, from all stake holder clubs, including project leader Ron Thatcher OAM, (congratulations to Ron in being named in the recent Australia Day Honours list) and District Governor Ian Jones and Robyn made the trip to Bali to see first hand for themselves the completion and handover of the project.

We were warmly welcomed by our joint project club the RC Bali Jimbaran, District 3400 Indonesia, and spent the next 4 days visiting the 7 water tank sites that are now completed.
The celebrations went on for hours.

We were honored to also participate in the celebration one evening at Bunutan village hall to thank everyone concerned, with our own DG Ian Jones, and the DG for RI District 3400 Indonesia, Thomas Aquinas meeting for the first time earlier that day over lunch.

The celebration evening was a momentous occasion also for the RC of Bali Jimbaran as they inducted 7 new Rotarians on the night, charter President Wayan TurAdnyana,currentPresident MadeAstika,the Mayor of Karangasem Regency Wayan GeredegJ, DG District 3400 Thomas Aquinas, and our own DG Ian Jones joined our team from Western Australia along with many locals and friends to help make the evening a great success in showing what Rotarians can achieve.