Bryan Kidney
Panama Rotary Water Project Trip
Bryan Kidney
For the last three years a group of Rotarians from Kansas district 5710 travels to the Republic of Panama. In Panama, the Rotarians are presented with dozens of potential water quality projects by several local Panamanian clubs. Working with the local clubs, the team members arranges for transportation and interpreters in order to review multiple water projects. The team then travels to remote villages in order to assess the needs and viability of projects requested by Panamanian rotary clubs.
Upon return from Panama, the team presents the projects and needs discovered during the trip. To date, the team has made dozens of presentations to local rotary clubs, district conferences, schools, and libraries in Kansas.
The focus of the team is to utilize the team’s passion for assessing, planning and implementing projects. As a result, the team was able to quickly ascertain the projects that met with the goals of Rotary International. The team meets with a wide range of leaders in Panama and built a network of contacts in order to ensure that the identified water projects that are planned will be completed.
Each year, we develop a listing of all projects reviewed and distributed the list to clubs in District 5710. As a result of the list and numerous presentations about the trip, to date, the team has been successful in obtaining over thousands of dollars in contributions. These funds have been distributed to Panamanian rotary clubs. These funds has provided for several dozen separate water quality projects. These projects will bring quality water to many rural Panamanians.
The cooperation and communication between district 4240 and 5710 continue to grow. The support from the local clubs in district 4240 to provide clear and concise solutions for the needed improvements helps the clubs in district 5710 understand the need in Panama for quality water. The clubs in district 5710 have been able to realize the benefit of providing funds to help with the basic need of water. I have full confidence that this relationship can continue to grow and foster good will and provide a higher quality of life for the rural people of Panama.