Help us send Sol to Uganda
We like Sol; this isn't a conspiracy to trap him in a large crate and ship him overseas. Honest.
Solomon Henson has been an active member of our Rotaract Club. He's working hard to return to Uganda to continue his work there on water systems in the village communities, making sure that the people there have clean, safe drinking water.
We'd love to have you join us for a Sunday champagne brunch on June 8th, 2008 at the Oddfellows Hall in Nevada City (212 Spring Street, in downtown Nevada City). There will be live music, a silent auction, a slideshow presentation by our very own hydrologist, Solomon Henson, and, of course, plenty of champagne to go around. Money from the event will go towards Sol's modest living and travel expenses for one year in Uganda; any remaining funds will provide an opportunity for other Rotaractors or graduate students to assist him in Uganda.
The brunch is $45. Please RSVP by May31st to (530) 575-1456.
About the water and sanitation projects for southwestern Uganda
Clean drinking water is the most fundamental human necessity on the planet. Demand for this precious resource is increasing rapidly with population growth, especially in the third world, at a time when water sources are becoming increasingly polluted and climate change threatens to disrupt water supply. WaterAid, one of the world's leaders in providing clean drinking water to Africa and Asia, reports that 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water and 2.8 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. 1.8 million children die every year as a result of these conditions. That's 5000 children every day. The World Health Organization states that providing water, sanitation, and hygiene education can reduce the number of deaths caused by parasites and water borne illnesses by an average of 65%.
An assessment of 11 villages in Southwestern Uganda, near the Bwindi Health Center founded by Scott Kellermann, revealed that over 40% of homes lacked access to protected water sources and over 40% of homes lacked pit latrines for proper human waste disposal. Rotaract of Nevada County is raising funds to support water and sanitation projects in Southwestern Uganda to save lives and to empower thousands of rural Ugandans. In partnership with the Nevada City Rotary, Rotaract plans to send current member and Hydrologist, Solomon Henson to Uganda for one year to conduct a survey of the water quality of drinking water sources and to implement water projects. A Rotary International Grant awarded to the Nevada City Rotary will support a complete water and sanitation assessment, protect 40 springs, implement 20 rain water catchments, build 20 example composting latrines, and build 100 pit latrines. The project would improve the water and sanitation for over 5000 people with the use of simple, cost effective technologies. All efforts will emphasize community decision-making on the water projects that are needed and will promote community responsibility toward water projects. The goal will be to provide the resources and knowledge to empower villagers to decide how they want to improve their access to safe drinking water.
To donate, or for more information
If you are interested in donating or would like more information please contact Solomon Henson at sshenson@gmail.com or phone him at 530 265-1929.