Fresh water returns to island (From Witney Gazette)

Fresh water returns to island

9:00am Wednesday 6th September 2006 in Witney By Samantha Simpson

FRESH water has been restored to homes on an island devastated by the Asian tsunami disaster - thanks to help from West Oxfordshire residents.

A joint effort by the Rotary Club of Witney, the Village to Village appeal set up by former Witney mayor, Peter Green, and people in Cassington has resulted in a £7,500 donation towards a new water cleansing plant in Filadhoo, in the Maldives.

The Rotary Club of Witney started fundraising early last year, after Rotarian Neil Morrison visited the Maldives on holiday and saw the destruction caused by the tsunami on Boxing Day 2004.

In addition to the estimated 231,000 deaths across islands hit by the huge waves, two million people were left homeless, and everyday necessities, such as fresh water supplies, left in chaos.

Filadhoo was one of the many islands badly affected by the tragedy. Its water wells became polluted, and residents were having to survive on rain water.

After seeing the problems first-hand, Mr Morrison returned home to Witney and immediately set about finding out about how the Rotary Club could help.

He contacted the Friends of the Maldives, who put him in touch with the charity Maldives Aid, which was working towards restoring basic infrastructure to Filadhoo and other islands.

Through its fundraising work, the Rotary Club raised £2,500, and it was not long before Mr Green heard about the group's plans.

A further £2,500 was allocated from the Village to Village fund, set up by Mr Green in response to the disaster, and helped by residents from Witney and surrounding villages.

News of the club's appeal also spread to Cassington, where residents pledged a further £2,500, bringing the total to £7,500.

The money was sent to Maldives Aid, and work has just been completed on a £45,000 desalination plant, restoring fresh water supplies on the island for the first time in more than 18 months.

Both Maldives Aid and the Rotary Club said they wanted to thank everyone who had made the work possible.

Fathimath Shaheeda, from Filadhoo, said: "The opening was very emotional, because, after a long time, the people finally have water."

As reported by the Gazette, the Village to Village appeal raised £22,000 in a year through fundraising events, such as sponsored walks, cycle rides, collections, and a concert.

Money has also been distributed from that fund to a school in Kulmania, a convent and orphanage in Sri Lanka, a school for deaf children in India, and towards equipment to help people restart their jobs in Sri Lanka.