from The Rotary Club of Halifax North West
Welcome to the monthly newsletter from the Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest, where we share the club’s and Rotary’s news and activities with the communities we serve. The Rotary theme for October is Community Economic Development. Rotary members are passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty. This issue highlights a heartwarming story about how Rotary members from Durango, Colorado, USA, teamed up with the Navajo Nation to bring solar lights to remote, off-the-grid homes on the country’s largest Native American reservation.
Navajo people like Jerry Domingo are caught in isolated pockets of land, which are called The Checkerboard. After decades of crafting squash-blossom necklaces, pendants, and bracelets, Jerry Domingo knew he would have to quit making jewelry, because he couldn’t see very well anymore. Electric lines traverse the land just a few hundred yards from Domingo’s front door, but it would cost over $30,000 to connect to the power.
Through a pastor at a local church, Domingo found out about a program through the Durango Rotary club that brings solar-powered lighting to remote homes on the Navajo reservation. The project would bring solar lights to at risk populations on the reservation, including elders over 70 years old and disabled tribal members.
A solar light is a simple thing: just a small panel the size of a baking sheet, which mounts onto a roof with a pole. A wire runs from the panel into the house, where up to three rechargeable lights hang from hooks on the ceiling. To turn on the lights, Domingo simply has to touch a button. Now, at night, he can tinker with his jewelry and read his Navajo-language Bible by the light of solar lamps as the wind roars outside and the dust rises into great plumes. “Now when it gets dark I can do my silversmithing,” he says, working on a squash-blossom necklace laid out on a vintage desk one recent afternoon. “Many of our people are in need of electricity or lighting of some kind. This is a good thing that you all have going.”
For the complete story, go to: Rotarians bring light to Navajo in checkerboard | Rotary International Our Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest welcomes everyone to explore community service with us! We pride ourselves on being diverse and inclusive – and we’re friendly! Corporate members from the business community are welcome as well. We meet every Tuesday from noon to 1 pm at Smitty’s at 362 Lacewood Drive in Clayton Park. Join us for lunch to meet the members and share the camaraderie and networking.
For more information contact Roger Chiasson at rogerchiasson305@gmail. com or 782 234 9408.
Photo credits to: https://www.rotary.org/
