Imagine this from your perspective: you are a grade school student studying in an upland sitio. Your only source of water is a 1.5-kilometer descent to fetch water, carrying a gallon back on uneven terrain, just so you can take a bath and be ready for school. By the time you are prepared for school, you might already be too exhausted to concentrate and fully engage in your studies.
This scenario was the daily drudgery for the students of Simanta Elementary School. But no more. Thanks to a collaborative effort between the RC Makati and the RC Zamboanga City West (RCZCW), the community now has access to clean water right in their neighborhood.
June 12, Independence Day, was no holiday for the RC Makati delegation. Led by Pres. Bing Matoto, PDG Pepz Bengzon, and PP Roland Young, they traveled to Zamboanga City to officially turn over this water system to the community. Dir. Neil & Camille Makasiar, natives of Zamboanga, were already there days prior to the turnover.
Upon arrival at the airport, the team was met by RCZCW members led by Pres. Cliff Ing and PDG James Makasiar, father of Dir. Neil. The team then traveled over one and a half hours through steep and rough roads to reach Simanta Elementary School in Brgy. Calabasa.
Immediately, a short program started with messages shared by Pres. Bing, Pres. Cliff, and SEC Chairman Emil Aquino, himself a past president of RCZCW. Messages were also delivered by the school heads and the barangay captain.
Following the speeches, the team formally inaugurated the water system with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project, which was conceived in the first quarter of the Rotary year, involved the development of a water source, a deep well about 1.5 kilometers down. It included the construction of a concrete well, where water will be delivered by pumping from the well to the school area through a 1.5 km transmission with a 1.5-inch PVC pipeline. The water system is powered by a 5KW solar energy system with a 5HP submersible pump to bring the water to the school and includes the construction of an overhead tank at the school premises to ensure a steady supply of water. Additionally, the system features a filtration tank that purifies water from the river before storing it in two large containers, with the excess water flowing back through pipes to service over 200 households. The total project cost of P700,000 was equally shared by both clubs with RCZCW Sec/PP Nanding Yu as the project lead.
The program didn't end there. The students of Simanta Elementary School received bags and school supplies, while their parents were each given a bag of rice. The initiative also included a medical mission to check the health condition of the community and provide circumcision services for the youth.
The completion of this water project marks a significant milestone in improving the quality of life for the students and the wider community. By providing a nearby, reliable source of clean water, the children of Simanta Elementary School can now focus on their education, no longer burdened by the exhausting task of fetching water.
This project exemplifies Rotary's commitment to making a tangible impact on communities in need. Addressing such a fundamental necessity as access to clean water empowers these young learners with better health and a brighter future. The collaboration between RCM and RCZCW showcases the power of Rotary clubs working together to bring about meaningful change, one community at a time.
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