Drilling Rig Develops Wells at Haitian Hospital and Cholera Refugee Camp

The Rotary Club of Cheyenne partnered with the Rotary Club of Kearney, Nebraska and the non-governmental organization Water 4 Haiti for a major project in the devastated country of Haiti. The partnership purchased a LS-200H drilling rig with 200’ stem, bits and two diesel engines, one for a mud pump and one to power the hydraulic drive. The drilling rig was built in Texas and transported by motor vehicle to Florida before water transportation to Haiti. After waiting several months in Haitian customs, the drilling rig is now in country and being used to develop fresh water resources in Haitian communities.  The financial breakdown for the drilling rig was as follows:

            Cheyenne Rotary Contribution                       $7500

            District 5440 Governor’s Grant                      $5000

            Kearney Rotary Contribution                         $5000

            District 5360 Grant                                         $2500

            TOTAL COST OF RIG                               $20,000

In addition to the monies raised by the two Clubs and the two District grants awarded, the project received an additional $5,000 Donor Advised Fund grant to purchase equipment and parts for three wells. Consequently, Cheyenne Rotary was able to leverage $7500 into an additional $17,500 for the project. 

The drilling rig cleared customs and arrived at location in Montrouis, Haiti, in January 2011.  Since then the drilling rig has been put to use completing several new wells, including wells at a hospital and a cholera refugee camp.  Thanks to Rotary, this drilling rig will change the culture of countless villages and the lives of thousands of Haitians.