Clean Water for Calcassa Village: Rotary Hawthorn's SkyHydrant Partnership
Rotary Hawthorn has partnered with the Rotary Club of Lakes Entrance for an important clean water initiative in Timor-Leste. Our clubs are working to install a SkyHydrant water filtration system to provide safe drinking water to a needy community.
What is a SkyHydrant?
A SkyHydrant is an innovative water filtration system designed for humanitarian use in remote and challenging environments. These units can transform contaminated water into clean, safe drinking water without requiring electricity or complex infrastructure. Each compact system can provide enough clean water for hundreds of people daily, making it an ideal solution for schools and small communities.
The Calcassa village project
The SkyHydrant will be installed at a local school in Calcassa village, located in the Fatuberliu sub-district of Timor-Leste. This strategic location ensures the equipment will be protected while remaining accessible to the broader community. Schools are often the heart of rural communities, making them ideal hubs for clean water access.
Partnership details
Bruce Hurley, Director of International Services at Lakes Entrance Rotary, is coordinating the joint initiative, and both Lakes Entrance and Hawthorn Rotary clubs are equal financial contributors to the project.
The Hawthorn board has approved the partnership, which aligns well with our ongoing water projects in Timor-Leste. This collaboration strengthens ties between our clubs while making a meaningful impact in our region.
On the ground in Timor-Leste, the installation will be coordinated through the Rotary Club of Dili and Rotarians Helping Timor Office, working in partnership with Disaster Aid Australia, who will provide technical expertise for the installation.
This local coordination is crucial for ensuring successful installation and sustainable operation. The local team will work with the school principal to establish maintenance protocols, ensuring this valuable resource continues to serve the community for years to come.
Why this matters?
Access to clean water remains one of the most fundamental challenges facing communities in our regions. Waterborne diseases can devastate families, keep children out of school, and trap communities in cycles of illness.
By providing clean water access through the SkyHydrant system, we're helping to:
- Reduce waterborne illnesses.
- Improve school attendance.
- Enhance overall community health.
- Create a foundation for other community support projects.
We look forward to sharing updates as this project progresses.