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MRCI Volunteer Well-Point Fundraiser Brings Clean Water to Ampoagna
Every so often, MRCI receives that exceptional volunteer who is passionately dedicated to making a real difference in Madagascar. Tim is one of those volunteers. After his time on the MRCI Forest Conservation Program, Tim was inspired to launch the MRCI Volunteer Well-Point Fundraiser to construct a fresh water well in the village of Ampoagna. His story is truly inspiring, and we’d like to tell you about it.
Tim came to Madagascar as a volunteer on the MRCI Forest Conservation Program. During his four weeks, two separate events inspired him to set up this personal project. Island Outreach volunteers returned with the story about a small child who had fallen into the water pit in Ampoagna. Shedding light on the unfortunate lack of infrastructure experienced in the village. The second event was when Tim attended the opening of a renewed classroom. The classroom was funded by a former MRCI volunteer.
Learn More About MRCI’s Volunteer Community Development Program
This motivated Tim to set up a fundraiser towards a worthy cause in Madagascar. He then got in touch with MRCI founder, David. They discussed which project he would be able to take up upon his return to Germany. The construction of a proper well proved to be suitable, as this need was communicated with MRCI by the Ampoagna village elders.
Another fun fact about Tim, he has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and spent two years working to raise money for cancer patients in Vancouver. He realised how people donate money with ease, knowing that it was going towards a worthy cause. This gave him the confidence to begin raising the necessary funds for the well.
However, fundraising for a project in a faraway country proved to be more challenging than expected. Fortunately, the legitimacy of MRCI, the well-defined cause and Tim’s past experience convinced the Leo’s Club, a charity society at his university, to make two generous donations. The total sum of around €2500 was promised by friends, family and private sponsors
In June 2018, the construction of the well was initiated. The gradual in-coming of donations helped to build the well over several months. Another factor to consider, is that Ampoagna is quite far out and isolated. Getting materials to and from the village can prove to be a challenge within itself. Rainy season has also stunted the progress. Once the weather clears up, we will continue to work on building a tower above the well. We also plan to add a solar pump, with a pipe going into the clinic and village.
We hope this story inspires other volunteers to take initiative in setting up a project they feel could be realised with the support of MRCI.
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