On Saturday night, Rotary Club of Los Gatos generated more than $100,000 in revenue from its annual Crab Fest fundraiser, including a record $30,000 for its Fund the Need initiative, which will send the families of burn victims to Camp Campbell outside Boulder Creek.
During last year’s edition, a “Raise the Paddle” was held to bring in funds to connect running water to New Senchi RC Basic School in Ghana, West Africa and build a bathroom facility for students and staff. This also included providing washable feminine products for girls. Those in attendance generously donated over $16,000 to support this project.
In July 2024, club president-elect Paul Johnson and his wife Debbie visited Ghana on a research trip to look for viable projects for Rotary. Mustapha Ayana, Director of World Possible Ghana assisted in visiting schools and interviewing teachers in the Senchi area of Atimpoku, which is in the Volta region.
(Drew Penner / Los Gatan)
However, project officials noted, the greatest need was for basic human needs. Most schools did not have running water connected to the school and bathrooms. Students and staff would openly defecate in the bushes surrounding the schools. As a result, the spread of disease was rampant and attendance of students was poor. This was especially true for girls who would miss school during their menstruation cycles.
Following the trip, a partnership was struck with Mustapha Ayana and the project was proposed to the club. They also worked with Akosomo Dam City Rotary Club, which is within 30 minutes from the school. Rotary Club of Los Gatos provided the cost for materials and the school provided labor. In fact, male students dug the 10-foot hole for the septic.
(Drew Penner / Los Gatan)
During the first week of November, Paul and Debbie returned to Ghana for the dedication of the washroom facility. A village elder conducted the ceremony, and the students and staff danced and played drums in gratitude for the Los Gatos Rotary Club’s assistance. Debbie also provided training for girls on how to use the feminine products, which included underwear and washable pads.
The students and staff no longer need to relieve themselves in the bushes behind the school, while education and health will be greatly enhanced, according to a release.
“As it now stands, the new washroom is the nicest facility at the school,” a spokesperson said, adding, “It also serves as a prototype to replicate in other Ghanaian schools. Also included with the project was a 14,000 liter tank to preserve water for when the government shuts off the water grid. The school will always have running water!”
There are remaining funds in the “Raise the Paddle” effort that will provide another two schools with washrooms.
While they were in Ghana, officials met with candidate schools to determine their needs and capacity to support a similar project.
