Newtown Rotary Club

Two local Rotary clubs, those of Newtown and Welshpool, joined 4 other clubs from north and mid Wales in a project run by the Nepal Trust to bring hydro-electric power to the Himalayan village of Chyaduk in the Humla District of Nepal. The village, close to Mount Everest, is remote and has about 200 people in 40 households.

The people relied on burning wood and oils for light and heat, which is dangerous and inefficient. The 4.5kw micro hydro power system, using the local river that does not freeze in the winter, has provided them with good lighting and the power to run small hand tools for use in the manufacture of artefacts for sale and for grinding their corn. There is now the opportunity to improve education for the children and to enhance community cohesion. Furthermore it will be more possible to promote tourism.

The 6 Rotary clubs each contributed £1,000 and the Rotary Foundation, Rotary International’s own charity, contributed a further £14,000. The Chyaduk village community provided £3,500 which is an enormous sum for them. Most importantly the local people provided porterage using yaks over very difficult terrain for the components, and labour to help build the system in the village. The Nepal Trust co-ordinated the whole project with the involvement of the 2 local Rotary clubs.

The success of the scheme is an example of how the Rotary clubs, working together, assisted by the Rotary Foundation and in cooperation with the Rotary clubs in the area being assisted, can provide a working solution to a social need wherever it is.

The fundraising activities and generous contributions of the people of Welshpool and Newtown have substantially assisted this project, and the thanks of the two Rotary clubs go to all.

For further information contact Peter Hodgson, Chair, International and Foundation Committee, Rotary Club of Welshpool.

Telephone 01691 928533 or 07957 699580