Five years ago, the message of HANWASH (Haiti National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) was shared at the Petoskey Noon Rotary Club as PDG Jane Millar, a member of the Petoskey Noon Rotary Club, wanted their message shared with her club.
It wasn’t long until PDG/PRID Chis Etienne moved forward in presenting the need for a Champion District to partner with a Haiti Rotary Club providing leadership, guidance and funding to provide a source of water in the Terre Neuve region, a very remote area of Haiti. Then District 6290 Governor Gary Chenoweth (2021-22) along with D6290 District Governor Elect Paul Heroman (2022-2023) signed a Memo of Understanding with HANWASH Inc.; Rotary Club of Gonaives Memorial and Rotary District 6290.
The goal – Provide a source of Clean Water, Proper Hygiene and Educational Training to the people of Terre Neuve. Later the area selected was Terre Neuve Lagon. The surrounding area with 33,000 people did not have a source of clean water. Haiti Outreach provided results of a study on population, houses, latrine/bathroom facilities, hygiene needs and other needed information. A Commune Water Committee was created and the Mayor was involved.
The D6290 HANWASH Leadership started with PDG/PRID Chris Etienne as Chair, PDG Tom Schmidt as Co-Chair, John Gronberg, PDG Paul Heroman, PDG Jeff Coil, Steve Hunt, Wendell Christoff, Kathy DeVries, Omar Keith Helferich, PDG Gernot Runschke and D6290 HANWASH Treasurer James P White. Other Rotarians were associated with the D6290 HANWASH team. Chris Etienne left our team to serve on HANWASH Inc Leadership Team, John Gronberg requested a leave of absence to resolve business concerns and our dear friend Omar Helferich departed from this earthly habitat.
PDG Tom Schmidt was appointed Chair and has led the D6290 HANWASH Leadership Team for more than 4 years now. Kathy DeVries, PDG Paul Heroman, PDG Jeff Coil, Steve Hunt, Wendel Christoff and HANWASH Treasurer James P White have faithfully given hundreds of hours to Zoom meetings, phone calls, emails and texts. The most of the past 4 years the D6290 HANWASH Leadership and Rotary Club members from Haiti Rotary Club Gonaives Memorial met twice a month on Zoom with translation. At various time Haiti Government Water Leadership Members from DINEPA and OREPA joined in the meetings. We have had exception guidance given to us from HANWASH Inc Leadership DG Jill Deurig, Dr. Robert Chagrasulis, PDG/PRID John Smarge, Jeremy Hurst and former HANWASH Director Ryan Rowe. Wildaine Andre, past D7020 Assistant Governor has been faithful to serve the entire time and presently D7020 Assistant Governor Mesac Philogene leads the D7020 HANWASH Terre Neuve Lagon Team, both are members of Rotary Club of Gonaives Memorial.
It needs to be understood that this process of drilling a water well has been a long hard journey. The threats and reality of gang activity has created havoc many different times for our Haitian sisters and brothers. In the words of one of the residents: “For about 20 years the people of Terre Neuve Lagon have dreamed of having a well with clean water and 8 years thought it might happen.” The people were heartbroken and frustrated as promises of clean flowing water were just useless words. “More than 4 years ago the hope for a water well had new life with HANWASH, Rotary club of Gonaives Memorial and Rotary D6290 HANWASH Leadership.” In May 2026 with the well drilling company MAGEPA, a deep well was drilled with the results of flowing water. What a celebration with the sounds of children and adults filling their yellow water containers! Water is Life!
This is the first phase of a multi-faceted project to provide clean water, distribute water through access points, drill additional wells and celebrate success.
Thank you, Rotarians and Rotary Clubs of D6290, for donations of about $60,000. With great appreciation for the D6290 HANWASH Leadership Team, partners Rotary Club of Gonaives Memorial HANWASH Leadership Team and HANWASH Inc. Leadership.
"The journey has just started…..next steps include an engineering study to plan water distribution and a future global grant to distribute the water along with providing sanitation and hygiene improvements. Contributions of financial donations in support of a future Rotary global grant may be made to D6290 HANWASH Terre Neuve Lagon Project.
Note: Contributions are tax-deductible if desired.
Article submitted by PDG Tom Schmidt, Rotary Club of Fremont