Drumheller can have a far, international reach as evidenced by a recent aid trip by a Drumheller resident.
The Drumheller Rotary Club, in tandem with four other Rotary Clubs in Alberta, sent member Rachel Sheils to Guatemala recently to help an impoverished community.
The goal of the trip was to deliver much needed water filters and training to the residents of the small community of Mocohan, so they may be able to have one of the necessities of life; clean water.
The need for clean water had been identified by a Rotary member who went to Mocohan as part of another group several years ago.
“It took about two years and $34,000 for water filters and we were ready to go,” said Sheils.
Sheils left for Guatemala on September 10 to help distributed roughly 700 personal water filters, enough for each household in Mocohan. The Rotary clubs raised $17,000 for the project and the federal government provided matching funds.
This wasn’t the first time the village has received aid.
“It was really good because another organization in the past had tried to help the community by building a well, but as soon as they left, the person who owned the land made people pay. The same happened with a windmill. Some organizations go in with the best intentions, but sometimes don’t get the best results,” said Sheils.
The Rotary partnered with an established organization in the village, Impact Ministries, who have been in the community for 12 years and who run the local school.
One of the most striking parts about life in Guatemala for Sheils was their level of poverty.
“There are a lot of people who live on the 24 hour cycle. They’ve made enough money to make it through the day and then start over the next,” said Sheils.
However, Sheils reckons there is a lot we as Canadians can learn about life from the people of Mocohan.
“Even though they are impoverished, they have a beautiful culture. They are so rich in relationships. Our culture can learn a lot from them about slowing down and enjoying the presence of people,” said Sheils.
The money for the filters was raised through the many fundraising events of the Rotary Club.
“When people support our fundraisers, they support a number of projects. It helps support community as well as international projects,” said Sheils.
Sheils returned from her trip on September 19, but she’s already thinking of going back to continue helping the residents of Mocohan.
“I loved it,” said Sheils. “I’m hoping to organize a mission trip through the church to take people there to experience it.”
