Many projects not only involve club members in raising funds but also in visiting projects overseas and working with local people to help complete the work.

In November 2007 a party of Rotarians from Elgin, Forres, Ellon and Fraserburgh visited the site of the second water project which we have completed in partnership with NEWAH (Nepal Water for Health)

For those visiting Nepal for the first time the extent of the problem and challenge in addressing this critical requirement is difficult to put into words but every picture tells a story and the benefits we viewed during this short visit showed massive improvement through the provision of new Tube Wells, Toilets and two community toilet blocks, one in the local school and the second by a community meeting area.

The 19 visitors witnessed first hand by the warmth of the reception received at the community school what this project really meant to them and the appreciation the community expressed will leave a lasting memory in the minds of these travellers. (G.A.)

Clean fresh water is a vital component in the drive for better health

Elgin Rotarian David Sutherland receives the grateful thanks of villagers on behalf of his fellow Rotarians

In 2000, Rotarians from Elgin joined with others to spend 5 weeks trekking with the Nepal Trust to the village of Kermi in north-west Nepal to help build a health post. The Humla region is one of the poorest in Nepal with high infant mortality, low life expectancy and difficulties delivering health-care due to its remoteness. Whilst there, Dr Donald Brown with his wife Anne visited health posts and villages and ran health clinics and trained local health workers. Engineer, Finlay Weir surveyed local hot springs to assess their suitability for use by villagers for their own  needs and as a business supplying trekkers with hot water for washing. Finlay also entertained his fellow trekkers and the Nepalis by playing his bagpipes.

Finlay Weir, Anne Brown and Dr Donald Brown on the trail in North West Nepal

Villager, Rotarians and members of the Nepal Trust staff celebrate the opening of the Kermi health post

Rotarians and local people making floorboards for the health post

Finlay Weir playing at the opening of the health post

For general information on Nepal go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal : http://www.nepalinformation.com/ : https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.html

For news on Nepal go to http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/main.htm

To read more about the Nepal Trust go to http://www.nepaltrust.org/

Please note that the provision of a link does not imply endorsement of the contents of the site.