DISTRICT GOVERNOR MESSAGE FOR MARCH, 2016

Posted by Jacquie Gibson

on Mar 02, 2016

DISTRICT GOVERNOR MESSAGE FOR MARCH, 2016

Dear fellow Rotarians,

Carla and I were near the end of our second visit to Haiti when early one morning, we drove with AG Dawn Johnson and St. Marc Rotarians to a water filtration facility and then to a water purification plant. Both were commendable projects and we could see how beneficial they were in rural Haiti where neighborhoods were scattered far and wide. We then set out to visit another water purification plant. It was a long drive along dusty roads. As we passed acres of farm land suffering from drought conditions, I overheard AG Dawn and Carla having an animated conversation about the harmful effects of Global Warming. Water is life and here, a peoples' livelihood, a country's economy, was facing devastation.

We passed irrigation channels with very little water and then channels where there seemed to be more water. However, this water was brown. As we drove further, I thought about the men and women who had undertaken these projects. It would have been no easy feat for them to drive all of this distance, on dusty unpaved roads, from their homes and work places, week after week, day after day, to work on projects to deliver clean, safe drinking water to people who they knew only in passing. I also thought about the partners worldwide who donated their money to a cause they believed in but for a people they had not met.

We turned a corner and continued near the bank of a huge winding river, also full of brown water. Another corner, and there it was: a pristine new water filtration plant. What I had not been prepared for was the community gathering that had taken place. I was immediately reminded of a trip to a water well that we had made while on our first trip to Haiti. On that trip, the Boulmier community had gathered to meet us as AG Rosa, DGN Robert took us by foot to the bottom of a hill to observe a well installed by the Rotary Club of Cayes for proud and grateful residents who had responsibly and wisely formed a committee to manage the well.

On this day, beside this river bank, the young, old and in between had gathered to see what miracle was to take place and to meet those responsible for the water plant's existence. After a heart-warming welcome ceremony, the Rotarians took us on an orientation of the plant. Everything was in place technically to turn brown water into clear, chemically-safe, potable water. I cut the ribbon to the plant and declared it open. The water tap was turned on and the miracle happened. A Rotarian filled a jug with water and put it to his lips much to the delight of the attentive crowd. The jubilation and gratitude in the air was palpable. An overjoyed community leader in his speech thanked God for water and thanked God for Rotary. He sometimes spoke in creole but in clear, perfect, English he exclaimed, "Thank God for Rotary!" Old women smiled, children danced, young mothers hugged their babies and young men shook hands. In that moment, I could think of no other place that I would have preferred to be. It was clear that the choice made by countless selfless men and women who used their time, resources and talents for a people they did not know, was the right and responsible choice that would affect generations to come. Clean water meant that young babies had a chance to grow into mature adults, free from avoidable disease. Clean water meant that these residents could cook and bathe and clean and live healthy, productive lives. Those of working age would be less sick which meant that they could work for their families and build their communities. At that moment, I stood proudly as a Rotarian with my District 7020 family. The attached video showing that moment should also make you proud.

In the Rotary World, we focus on Water and Sanitation initiatives in March. We know from information gathered by Rotary International that more than 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation facilities and at least 3,000 children die each day from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water. We know that Water is life. The lack of clean water has not only debilitating health effects on persons but it also disrupts a country's economic well-being. Across our District, many of our clubs have provided clean water systems and sanitation facilities to many. We have donated water tanks to schools, hospitals and communities. We have constructed wells and irrigation systems. We have built restrooms and sanitation facilities. Our job is also to help these communities develop and maintain these systems in order to ensure that our projects are sustainable.

During the month of March, we also celebrate World Rotaract Week. Let us continue to work closely with these young professionals. I encourage you to have them take a lead role at some of your club meetings. Work with them closely on a project. Enjoy socials together. Encourage (and support) those getting ready to leave Rotaract to make the transition to Rotary.

Many persons wonder every day if their lives make a difference. Rotarians never need to wonder. Our selfless service makes a positive difference in communities around the world every day. We perform acts of Significance everyday by which we leave a positive legacy for all of mankind. Thank you Rotarians of District 7020 for your acts of Significance. I will read with interest your various expressions of the District's theme. Those expressions appear in this month's Newsletter. I remind you to register for District Conference 2016 in Nassau, The Bahamas. You can access the Conference link by going to www.7020.org.

Be assured that our Rotary service makes a difference every day. Invite others to join us. Do continue to move from Success to Significance. Continue to Be a Gift to The World. #unleashtheawesome7020

Felix N. Stubbs

District Governor 7020

2015 -2016