HOW LIVING WATER HAITI BEGAN
Marc Schillinger is a life long resident of Michigan, and first got involved in missions through a short term mission trip to Haiti in 1990. There he was introduced to Pastor Luc St. Felix, and became aware of the need for clean drinking water. It was then that the vision was cast to drill wells.
The first well was drilled in April of 1992, and Marc has been working since then in partnership with Rotary Clubs in the United States and Canada, The Rotary Foundation, various individuals, and local churches . As of 12/7/2019 $108,375 has been raised, ten wells have been completed, and five 10,000-gallon Rainwater Harvesting Tanks have been completed as of 03/01/2020, in these five villages: MARIN, LETAN, COTIN, SAVAN PITE, AND LAROUCH.
Marc is now speaking and sharing this vision with churches, other groups and organizations, and with Rotary clubs in Rotary District 6330. The Rotary Foundation's Matching Grant program, has provided funding for much of the work since 1992. Marc is Chairman of the World Community Services Committee for the Flint, Michigan Rotary Club. The Flint club is one of 61 clubs in Eastern Michigan and Ontario in Rotary District 6330. Several of the clubs within the District as well as clubs in Rotary District 6310 in Thumb of Michigan and North to Alpena, as well as District Level participation, have over the years contributed substantially.
The first well was drilled in April of 1992, and Marc has been working since then in partnership with Rotary Clubs in the United States and Canada, The Rotary Foundation, various individuals, and local churches . As of 12/7/2019 $108,375 has been raised, ten wells have been completed, and five 10,000-gallon Rainwater Harvesting Tanks have been completed as of 03/01/2020, in these five villages: MARIN, LETAN, COTIN, SAVAN PITE, AND LAROUCH.
Marc is now speaking and sharing this vision with churches, other groups and organizations, and with Rotary clubs in Rotary District 6330. The Rotary Foundation's Matching Grant program, has provided funding for much of the work since 1992. Marc is Chairman of the World Community Services Committee for the Flint, Michigan Rotary Club. The Flint club is one of 61 clubs in Eastern Michigan and Ontario in Rotary District 6330. Several of the clubs within the District as well as clubs in Rotary District 6310 in Thumb of Michigan and North to Alpena, as well as District Level participation, have over the years contributed substantially.
RAINWATER HARVESTING
After the 2010 Haitian earthquake, it became difficult to obtain firm estimates from drillers since the water tables had shifted and drillers were not able to predict the depth of future water wells. Drillers are no longer confident in knowing where the available water is and at what level, and without firm estimates we are not able to write grants to drill. Living Water Haiti started looking into additional ways to provide clean water and we began contacting distributors that produce Rainwater Collection Systems.
With a proven track record for collecting water in different countries around the world, including Haiti, we had set an initial goal of adding five 10,000 gallon Rainwater Collection Systems, using the runoff from church buildings into a gutter system, and then plumbed into the sealed tanks each with it's own filtration system.
A distributor that we have negotiated with in Port Au Prince, has delivered and installed five systems, in five Villages. Going forward, the distributor is prepared to install these systems anywhere on the island. We will always select sites on church property, where we have established long time relationships, and are assured of proper oversight and supervision in concert with local Overseeing Pastor and Village Elders.
If you want to learn more about this method of water collection you can visit here.
With a proven track record for collecting water in different countries around the world, including Haiti, we had set an initial goal of adding five 10,000 gallon Rainwater Collection Systems, using the runoff from church buildings into a gutter system, and then plumbed into the sealed tanks each with it's own filtration system.
A distributor that we have negotiated with in Port Au Prince, has delivered and installed five systems, in five Villages. Going forward, the distributor is prepared to install these systems anywhere on the island. We will always select sites on church property, where we have established long time relationships, and are assured of proper oversight and supervision in concert with local Overseeing Pastor and Village Elders.
If you want to learn more about this method of water collection you can visit here.
ROTARY FOUNDATION GRANT APPROVED FOR (5) 10,000 GALLON RAINWATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS!
Approved May 2019
The main objective of this Rotary project was to provide 5 Rainwater Harvesting Systems comprised of Roof Rain Gutter rainwater collection assembly, plumbing, and filtration for 10,000 Gallon steel sealed tanks at each location, in the Haitian Villages of:
Each tank system services an estimated 300-1000 people per day, and each are the only known fresh water source for approximately 15 Kilometers. Through established relationships within Haiti since 1992, sustainability, careful oversight, and supervision by a church Lead Pastor, working with local Village Elders, at each location, is assured for each collection system.
A committee made up of 4 to 5 well known and respected personalities in the community along with the Lead Pastor at each location, have been established and are in place. Together they oversee and assure free and fair unlimited distribution to any member of the general public.
The estimated number of people that will be served per day is:
We will soon start the process of writing a third Grant for 5 more Rainwater Collection Systems and the drilling of 1 well, all in the area of Jacmel and Belle Anse, Haiti, along the southern peninsula.
Each tank system services an estimated 300-1000 people per day, and each are the only known fresh water source for approximately 15 Kilometers. Through established relationships within Haiti since 1992, sustainability, careful oversight, and supervision by a church Lead Pastor, working with local Village Elders, at each location, is assured for each collection system.
A committee made up of 4 to 5 well known and respected personalities in the community along with the Lead Pastor at each location, have been established and are in place. Together they oversee and assure free and fair unlimited distribution to any member of the general public.
The estimated number of people that will be served per day is:
- MARIN - 500. Overseen by Pasteur Diacre Wesner.
- LAROUCH/SAVANN ROCH - 600. Overseen by Pasteur Oton (509) 375 79028
- SAVIN PITE - 300. Overseen by Pasteur Diarre Petit-d'Or Oeceus.
- LETAN -1,000. Overseen by Pasteur Saurel (509) 461 51465
- COTIN - 400. Overseen by Pasteur Gousman (509) 377 13188
We will soon start the process of writing a third Grant for 5 more Rainwater Collection Systems and the drilling of 1 well, all in the area of Jacmel and Belle Anse, Haiti, along the southern peninsula.
PROJECT UPDATE
June 2022
“We have received a single organization contribution in the amount of $25,000 from Raincatchers as they were dissolving. They wanted their funds to be used in Haiti and related to rainwater harvesting. Raincatchers was presenting at 2/42 church during one of the services and from that exposure, I met with the original visionary to see if he felt that the harvesting could be done at a much larger scale. Raincatchers was using 250 gallon tanks and harvesting from the roofs of personal dwellings.
It has become increasing difficult to work within the Rotary structure in Haiti to obtain a matching grant. In mid-June 2022, we received a contribution of $7,000 from 2/42 Community Church, Brighton, MI to complete the raising of $32,000 to be able to place three (3) more tanks, this time in a different area of Haiti, the Jacmel and Belle Ans area on the Southern coast.
In that area drilled wells are scarce as the water table is very deep, and when water is found it is somewhat salty.
On June 22, 2022, we wired $16,000 to the General Contractor that we have been using in Haiti, Aquasytems S.A. They will begin construction on July 1, and the three tanks will be completed, inspected, and approved by Pastor and Mrs., RoRo Eustache of Belle Ans, Haiti. At that time, we will release the balance of the $32,000 to Aquasystems.
It has become increasing difficult to work within the Rotary structure in Haiti to obtain a matching grant. In mid-June 2022, we received a contribution of $7,000 from 2/42 Community Church, Brighton, MI to complete the raising of $32,000 to be able to place three (3) more tanks, this time in a different area of Haiti, the Jacmel and Belle Ans area on the Southern coast.
In that area drilled wells are scarce as the water table is very deep, and when water is found it is somewhat salty.
On June 22, 2022, we wired $16,000 to the General Contractor that we have been using in Haiti, Aquasytems S.A. They will begin construction on July 1, and the three tanks will be completed, inspected, and approved by Pastor and Mrs., RoRo Eustache of Belle Ans, Haiti. At that time, we will release the balance of the $32,000 to Aquasystems.
Stages of construction in Belle Ans 2022
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WATER
Bringing clean drinking water to thousands of Haitians. |
WELLS
Drilling wells in strategic locations across Haiti. |
RAINWATER HARVESTING
Installing systems across Haiti. |
HEALTH
Preventing lost lives and suffering from fever, diarrhea, and typhoid. |
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