The Rift Valley Water and Sanitation Project was started in 2002 by the late John Mbugua of the Rotary Club of Nakuru along with the support of the Rotary Club of Summerland B.C. To date, over 3000 rainwater harvested water tanks have been built bringing a lifetime supply of clean water to about 28,000 people; the project is being managed by the Rotary Club of Nakuru.

Norma Davis of the Toronto Eglinton Rotary Club visited Nakuru this month and spent time with the Nakuru Rotary Club and their Rift Valley Water Committee. She visited several Rotary Community Corps and met many women such as Lucy Thuo, whose lives have been transformed by a rainwater-harvesting tank.

Lucy Wothaya Thuo had to walk 10 km a day to the Baruku River to fetch water for drinking, cooking, and washing. Her back ached; there was no time to do other work. The water was dirty and left the family with skin disease, typhoid and diarrhoea. Enter the Rotary Club of Nakuru. Lucy received support to build a rainwater-harvesting tank. With time and a micro credit loan, she was able to purchase three goats. She bred the goats and by selling the offspring, she has been able to realize a profit that enabled her to repay her loan within one year. She is now doing well; she is debt free and as the younger goats mature, she sells the older ones to keep her stock fresh.

The following clubs in District 7070 made it happen with their contributions of $38,770: Belleville, Cobourg, Etobicoke, Markham Sunrise, Markham Unionville, Oshawa Parkwood, Pickering, Port Perry, Toronto, Toronto East, Forest Hill, and Uxbridge.

The Rotary Club of Forest Hill hosted an evening fundraiser "Food for Water" to raise money for the project. The Rotaract Club of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology set us a display in the university cafeteria and urged students to donate their change. In addition to managing the project, our host club, The Rotary Club of Nakuru, and District 9200 made a substantial financial contribution.

We send our sincere thanks to the Rotary Clubs in District 7810: Fredericton North, Dalhousie, Presque Isle, and Leslie Van Patter who have contributed funds to the project in the memory of Rotarian Mike Street. These funds will be matched by CRCID funds and clubs will receive Paul Harris Credits.

We appreciate the generosity of Rotarian Dennis Gray the President of Backyard Brands whose sales staff have made a contribution to the project through Wasrag. Four Rotary Clubs in District 1040 (England) have contributed to the project. Thank you to the Rotary Clubs of Skipton, Ottley, Bridlington, and Wakefield, District 1040. The District has agreed to match club contributions with DDF. Thanks to John Walker, District Grants Sub Committee Chair for his leadership.