Hereford City Rotary Club helped raise over £300,000 by public collections immediately after the Tsunami in January 2005 – within a few months Rotary had supplied over 100 Shelter Boxes and 78 Fishing Boats to help provide food and income for the communities in two villages in South East India.

Providing new homes and facilities in India and Sri Lanka was then a priority but with villages being moved away from the beaches new roads had to be built and Government permission obtained.

After three years the work has come to a successful conclusion and all the money wisely spent with no administration costs and tight financial control as it has been managed by Rotarians.

In India 165 houses have been built, a school built and equipped, and 9 water wells provided. On the east coast of Sri Lanka a large three floor community building has been built to provide a variety of training, work, social facilities, schooling and health care facilities. A shop and bakery has been built; a generator supplied to ensure electricity supply; a tractor, trailer and small lorry have been provided to assist with farming and transportation of goods.

In addition capital equipment has been provided to help start small businesses to provide work for young people. The businesses started have been: a Bakery; Batik printing, garment making; grinding of spices, rice and chillies; production and packaging of food items; brick making; poultry farm; goat and cow milk production; and preventative medical facilities. Homes for 60 families have also been built.

Tremendous benefit to the people in these very poor areas where income is less than a £1 a week – all of this help is thanks to the generosity of the public in our locality and commitment of Rotarians. Joining Rotary is obviously an excellent way of giving back something to those in need at home and overseas!

Rotary is an international organisation of professional and business people united helping people less fortunate than themselves. The Hereford City Rotary Club are always looking for local people who would like to give a little something back to our community, if you would like to find out a little more why not give Paul Morris a call on 01432 344779.