THE WELL OF HOPE DEDICATION

This is one of the reservoirs in the network of the Well of Hope system.  It is dedicated to the memory of Mike Elinski, an original board member.

Sonya and I with Ethiopian Rotarians and Project Managers Yemane Bisrat and Umberto Croce and village Elder Tekle Beyene.

The Well of Hope deep water well project in the Samasenbet area of Ethiopia in the Great Rift valley is finally complete! I am so very happy to write about the official dedication of the amazing Well of Hope that serves over 5 villages and brings clean water to over 15,000 people. It was started 5 years ago by Sonya Mendez and several other Rotarians from Hawaii and the Addis Ababa West Rotary Club when they discovered the plight of the people with no water for miles and miles. It was heart breaking to learn that children walked 3 hours every morning and 3 hours again every night to collect water. Completing the Well has been a lot of work and so much fund raising. Sonya is the only original board member remaining while one of the original members, Mike Elinski, passed away this spring. We have dedicated one of the reservoirs in his name and memory. I became involved in The Well of Hope Foundation as Treasurer a couple of years ago. You can go to the website to get more information about the Well of Hope at www.thewellofhopefoundation.org. I am so proud to be part of this organization.

Umberto Croche played a huge role in getting the Well finished. 

It was lots of hard work!

Umberto Croce and I traveled to Samaenbet to make sure everything was in order for the official ceremony when all the Rotarians from the US and Canada arrived in Ethiopia. We found one of the pumps broken, but soon had it working again. It was a beautiful ride into the country. We were delayed in our return by a flat tire, but it was a great day.

The pump station behind me is in need of repair, so we are fixing it. 

Sonya and I at the official dedication of the Well of Hope.

On Tuesday, October 17th, about 65 Rotarians from US and Canada came to the dedication of the Well of Hope and brought school supplies to the local school. Not everyone was encouraged to walk down the rugged path to the well as it was a rough and long hike. Those that were able to make it were treated to an awesome ceremony and official blessing of the Well. Everyone involved in the creation of this Well was deeply rewarded and very fulfilled.

Three Ethiopian Priests were on hand to bless our project and invited each of us to taste the clean, clear water that flowed from the faucets.

At the dedication, there were no tears...just endless smiles and laughter!

Mostly, I am going to let the pictures do the talking. TheWell of Hope cost totalled almost $200,000 and the costs were shared by our Well of Hope Foundation, Addis Ababa West Rotary Club, and World Vision. It is the largest well in the entire Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia and serves over 15,000 people with clean water; quite an accomplishment!

The villagers were so happy...we were happy...we had kept our promise to bring them clean water.