Donna Johnson, Efrain Ek Chan, Linda Werts
Donna Johnson and Linda Werts made their annual trip to Tabi, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
The Newark Rotary Club, in partnership with Living Waters for the World (LWW), has had an international project bringing clean water to the rural community of Tabi in Quintana Roo, Mexico since 2021. Recently, Newark Rotarians Donna Johnson and Linda Werts along with team members Ed Magin, Marion Nicastro, Leslie Vecchiotti and translator Eigner Juarez have returned from a second year sustainability visit.
Newark Rotary Team and "Planta Hidekel" workers
Following LWW guidelines the water plant produces purified water to consumers in Tabi, a community of some 500 residents, and the nearby community of Betania, population 900. The plant is managed by a water committee and workers include two plant operators, three bottlers, three delivery persons, and a team of three water and health educators. The Newark Rotary team found the plant operating well, offered some advice for reaching future sustainability, and took time during this trip to visit with families who are purchasing water from the plant. They learned that consumers appreciated the taste and quality of the water, the dependability of receiving the 5 gallon water garrafones delivered to their homes, and the price at 17 pesos, about half the cost of Crystal water. Each family visited received toothbrushes and toothpaste, provided by former team member, Ken Allen.
During this 2nd year Anniversary Celebration a "certificate of appreciation" was presented to Efrain Ek Chan, president of the water committee. The Newark team keeps in ongoing communication with their Mexican partners and plans for a visit next April.