They've done three projects in Panama and are looking to do more.
Jim Wieberg, a member of Jefferson City Breakfast Rotary and recently retired from Capital Region Medical Center, said the projects are examples of the organization's motto - "service above self."
"It started in 2011 when I was asked to put together an international project, and through the Missouri National Guard, we made contact with the Rotary in Panama City," Wieberg said. "At that time, they told us their greatest needs were maternal and child health as well as water purification. So in 2012, we sent clothing and other materials for mothers and children. And in 2013, we sent water purification systems."
This was the third trip in the Panama Water Project, which has worked to bring more water purification systems to the area known as the Derian Province, Wieberg said.
"It's very poverty-stricken, and they are invaded by drug lords many times," he said. "We partnered with a nonprofit foundation that provides daily breakfast and lunches to children in 108 communities in the province. They asked us if we'd consider helping 26 schools get water purification systems."
Nine Central Missouri Rotary Clubs collected $20,270, and a grant from Rotary International brought that total to $72,000. Those clubs included Lake Ozark Daybreak Rotary, Laurie/Sunrise Beach Rotary Club and Columbia Sunrise Southwest Rotary, among others.
"That money bought 115 systems," Wieberg said. "Two weeks ago, I went down with a colleague from Warrensburg, Dr. Michael Powers, and we spent a week with a number of Rotarians from Panama City and did two installations."
Wieberg said they plan to return in March to finish the remaining 24 systems and will educate residents about how the systems can help preserve their health.
"We're already looking at our next step," he said. "The foundation has a 40-acre farm for teaching residents how to plant crops and raise chickens for food. They would like us to help them get two more farms, so we're looking into that."
Much of the club's time is spent on local service projects, such as volunteering at the Samaritan Center.
"We've also started a Rotaract Club for men and women in their 20s and an Interact Club for high school students so these young people have their own chances to get involved in projects in the community," Wieberg said.