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	D-1414    Nicaragua - Leon El Ojoche Water Harvesting $24,000 This project seeks to construct 6 water holding tanks (15,000 liters each) and 20 drip irrigation systems for the village of El Ojoche, Nicaragua. The project targets the cultivation and harvesting of food crops during the "dry" season. Hunger and malnutrition are a common cycle during the dry season and take a severe toll on the village children. El Ojoche is located 14 km north-east of Somotillo in the Department of Chinandega, 9 km east of the Nicaraguan-Honduran border. It is situated at the foot of hills which rise towards the Honduran border, west of the community. The population of the community is approximately 400, made up of 86 families living in 71 houses. El Ojoche is substantially an agricultural community. Each home site has a garden used to grow a vegetable crop during the wet season to sustain the family. This area of Nicaragua has two distinct weather seasons, a wet season (May thru November) and a dry season (December through April). During most of the wet season there is adequate water available from a nearby stream or a village well. However during the dry season the stream is completely dry and the well produces enough water to only sustain drinking or cooking needs. During the wet season the villagers can grow beans, corn, squash and other staples. However no crop is grown during the dry season due to the very limited water supplies. This project allows for the harvesting of rain water during the wet season and provides the opportunity to grow much needed food crops during the dry season. These additional foods will greatly reduce the hunger and malnutrition in this remote community. The provision of the water will also provide the opportunity to educate people about basic nutrition, gardening and proper preparation of food and storage. Primary Host Partner in the Project Country Club: Leon District: 4240 Primary Contact: Mike Coberley Email: mcoberley26@gmail.com Check all projects from: [District 4240] [Leon Rotary Club] [Mike Coberley] Primary International Partner Outside the Project Country Club: Albina District: 5100 Primary Contact: Tom Koecher Email: tommckoecher@comcast.net Check all projects from: [District 5100] [Albina Rotary Club] [Tom Koecher] Proposed Financing Primary Host Sponsor Rotary Club/District Rotary Club of Leon $100 Primary International Sponsor Rotary Club/District Rotary Club of Albina $5,000 District 5100 DDF $3,000 Additional Rotary Clubs/Districts Rotary Club of Salem (OR) $2,000 Rotary Club of West Salem (OR) $1,000 Rotary Club of Keizer (OR) $1,000 Rotary Club of McMinnville Sunrise (OR) $2,000 Rotary Club of Dallas (OR) $1,000 Rotary Club of Salem Sunset (OR) $500 Amount requested from the Rotary Foundation $8,400 Total $24,000 Status and Progress Information Completed This project is completed. Project listed for the 2009-10 Rotary Year. The Matching Grant application number from TRF is #71187. The TRF Staff in charge of this grant is Milagros Ruete (contact.center@rotary.org). We are seeking at least $5,000 in additional club funding/participation. This project will then be sumitted to the District WCS committee for District Designated Grant matching funding as well as TRF matching funding. <27-Jan-09> System Entry Creation of project page. <16-Apr-09> by Philippe Lamoise Project carried over to 2009-10 at the request of Tom Koecher. <21-May-09> System Entry Grant paperwork sent to The Rotary Foundation. <4-Sep-09> System Entry TRF Grant Number assigned: 71,187. <2-Dec-09> System Entry Grant approved by The Rotary Foundation. <4-Oct-10> by Tom Koecher The project is substantially complete with the final water holding tank construction in progress. The original plan called for 8 tanks of varying sizes, 3 of which would be the largest size, 50 meters or 13,208 gallons. Due to significant cost savings realized on the project, a total of seven 50 meter tanks will be constructed. This is a 15,850 gallon increase over the original plan. The village of El Ojoche’s capacity to grow food during the dry season has been well enhanced. The next phase of the project will be the distribution and installation of the home garden irrigation kits (approximately 40 in total). This project is anticipating completion by the end of November, 2010 with submission of the final project report by December 31, 2011. A site visit is scheduled for March, 2011 to meet with the Host Club (RC of Leon, Nicaragua) members and the NGO representatives (Food for the Hungry) who have worked very diligently to bring this project to a success. Additionally the visiting Rotarians will travel to the village of El Ojoche to observe the project construction and meet with village elders. <16-Jul-11> System Entry Grant status changed to "Completed". <16-Jul-11> by Tom Koecher This project was completed in April, 2011. Seven 50 cubic meter tanks were constructed by the villagers of El Ojoche, Nicaragua through funding provided by 7 RC's and a TRF MG. Rotarian's from 3 participating RC's made a site in late May, 2011 to view the site and discuss the project with village elders. The village now has over 100 gallons of water available to provide for personal and agricultural needs during the dry season (December thru May). Excellent leadership provided by the RC of Leon. Nicaragua and cooperating NGO - Food for the Hungry. Web site design by Philippe Lamoise, D2G Pages, pictures and video on this site © Philippe Lamoise 2001, 2005 This website is a private initiative by Rotarian Philippe Lamoise, Torrey Pines Rotary Club, District 5340, to help the clubs and districts worldwide to do matching grants with The Rotary Foundation.