COMMIT FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER

Saturday, September 2, 2023

What On Earth??

This CBC “What On Earth” episode with Laura Lynch features a segment on COMMIT’s work to install eco-friendly stoves in Nicaragua, including interviews with Rotarians Janice Rauser and Doug Thompson. Starts around the 29:30 min mark.

Amazing coverage of a very important project!

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-429-what-on-earth/clip/16007109-this-isnt-sexy-forestry-protect-forests-fire

Wednesday, August 8, 2023

New Name

Did you know that COMMIT has changed our name? We are now the “Canadian Outreach Medical Multi Impact Team.

“Mission “ sounded too colonial and we have certainly broadened the scope of what we do. We have many impactful projects underway that are having a major impact in the area we work. We consider it a privilege to work with our partners and do not wish it to sound demeaning in any way.

Water Project Update

The water project continues to be a challenge. During COVID, supplies were in short supply and drilling was a challenge in couple areas. The local people also changed our plan and wanted bigger and higher water towers to reach more of their population, and as a result the pumps were not powerful enough therefore electrical circuits had to be changed.

As mentioned previously, one pump was stolen twice, and although it was recovered, it is still mired in some red tape. One tower was short parts and the team working in Nicaragua substituted piping for the tower (unbeknownst to us) which was less strong; as a result, it recently collapsed and broke the tank.

Lastly, one village built on a hilly area thought the water tasted a bit "off", so preferred to use their dug contaminated wells. We had the water tested (tested OK), flushed the system, and had tanks repositioned. With some re-education, all is now going to be well. Some of the cost along with labor is being paid by the villages, but there is additional charge of around $3000 USD we were not counting on. We are happy to announce all will be rectified to bring clean available water to 1,000 families. They are selling some water, have put away money for contingencies, and have committees which meet regularly to supervise these water systems.

Container Status

Fingers crossed, the container we sent in March is finally getting through the customs system and should be released soon. The value is rated at $89,000 USD, with much of it being medical equipment we could no longer repurpose here in Canada but has a valuable purpose in Nicaragua.

Although is has been a challenge getting the container through customs, it is worth the effort when you see the goods being used for their benefit. I remember one past story where a crippled and deformed little girl had only a plastic chair to sit on and we were able to outfit her with a wheelchair that comfortably suited her needs.

Written by Doug Thompson

Damaged water tower

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Sewing Workshop in Casa de Piedra

The sewing program continues in Casa de Piedra with two classes during the week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In the beginning, most of the participants were attending the workshops but then a few started missing in some of the classes. Due to this situation, a meeting was held with all the ladies and they agreed on their responsibility to regularlyl attend the group classes.

All the materials they need to learn and practice are in the place, and the leader Zenaida is taking responsibility for the groups so they have autonomy in running the classes. The women are happy with the program and willing to learn. 

Sewing program in San Luis de Manares

The sewing program in San Luis is doing very well, and the ladies there have more experience. They have been making some skirts, pillows, curtains and other items for the workshop. The groups are working together and have been able to help each other, specially with the two ladies that were new to the program.

Now they are more confident and they are beginning to sew small items. They would like to learn more and are eager to have the teacher come during the week to learn additional skills from him. Great progress!      

Sunday, July 9, 2023

June Stove Team International Visit

In June members of Stove Team International visited Nandaime to meet the local building teams and our communities. The first community they visited was Casa de Piedra, where 14 families are benefiting from the new eco-friendly cookstoves. During the stove inspection, some of the stoves built in Casa de Piedra and La EnRamada were determined to have issues, for example the main chambers of some stoves were not level and the ash in the box could not be spread adequately. There were issues with measurements, which were not significant but must be corrected when building new stoves. A few stoves were found with some cracks or fissures, because families were not watering the stove as instructed and the heat caused cracking of the cement, and others presented leaking on the chimney stack.

The building team agreed to correct the deficiencies and sent back photos of the stoves after the issues had been resolved. A WhatsApp group was created so that the local team could engage directly with Stove Team International - to ask questions and ask for suggestions. Finally, additional training and support was provided onsite by STI, and in the end they were happy with the work and practices of the Nandaime team and agreed on continuing the stove building.

Lastly, Stove Team International also sent a printable plaque which will be set into each stove, with the contact information for help with the stoves.

We are very grateful to Stove Team International for the local site visit and support provided to our local builders, so that we can build quality stoves that will providelong-lasting benefit to those in our villages.

A total of 79 families have been benefit from the project so far. Amazing!

Saturday, June 24th, 2023

In memory of Graham Tupper Hart

1949-2023 (age 79)

Graham Hart was on our May Mission Trip to Nicaragua. He died suddenly three weeks after returning.

He was a humble man, quiet, but wise and modest. He had a history of community service that included running as a candidate in the liberal party, teaching farming in Nigeria for five years, being on the local school boards, and at the time of his death being president of the Rotary Club of Woodstock and very much involved in his United Church. The list of community service goes on.  

His family remembers him most for his patience and involvement with family. We remember him for all those good things and we will miss him dearly. Graham rest in peace knowing that you left the world a bit better for your presence. You are an inspiration to us all! If we could clone you, the world would be almost perfect.

COMMIT Team May 2023

https://www.brockandvisser.com/obituary/Graham-Hart

Written by Doug Thompson

Sunday, June 11th, 2023

“Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.”

That was the case in Nicaragua, where COMMIT drilled six wells to give the people we serve drinkable water. We also installed electric pumps and water towers in some communities, to support the distribution systems. These new wells, pumps and towers replaced the old dug wells which were open, thus easily contaminated or dried up in the dry season. Previously, some villages had to have water trucked in 2X per week and rationed.

Along the way there have been various challenges, such as working through COVID and supply chain issues. For example, some challenges include:

• One pump was stolen twice, and the village threatened if the perpetrator was prosecuted;
• We had to move one tank to higher ground to give more pressure to an expanded distribution system; and
• One of our larger communities needed a larger tank.

Through education and by working together, most of these problems have been or will be solved and the health and wellbeing both physically and economically of over one thousand families have been vastly improved.

During our 2023 trip, the six wells we drilled were visited. One hand pump in a remote area was not working, as it wouldn’t keep its prime. During the visit, the pump was pulled, new piping and washers were installed, and to a tremendous applause by the villagers, is now working successfully. Another well in a very hilly area was only being used in an emergency, and because of a slight sulphur smell to the water, the villagers wondered if the water was safe to drink. The sulphur smell is not a health hazard, was very faint, and dissipated when water was left in the tank for a day. This is an educational opportunity which will be addressed.

When you take your next drink of water, think about what your donated dollars have done to help make drinkable water possible for those in less fortunate parts of the world.

Doug Thompson

Quote from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’

Monday June 6, 2023

Congratulations to Saturday's winning golf foursome, the Putt Pirates. Team members Paul McArthur, Kent Schaefer, Stan Hinsperger and Steve Dentinger really cleaned up!

Other champions of the day include closest to the pin winners Gail Stephen and Mike Naves; longest drive victors Jenn May and John Jonkman; and ball toss winners David McLennan and Larry Smith. Congrats to all!

We would also like to thank this year's hole sponsors for your generous support!

Silver Sponsors

Belfor Property Restoration

Dave Meinen

Dr David Thompson

Dr Gregg Hancock

Jim Gaffney

Mike Fair Law

Bronze Sponsors

Crane

Demetre's Family Eatery

Megan Thompson

Ritsma Law

Sinclair Pharmacy

Stratford Kia

Valerie Thompson

Sunday June 4, 2023

Yesterday's golf tournament at the River Valley Golf Course was a huge success! Thank you to all the golfers who came out to support our fundraising efforts for projects in Nicaragua, and a special thanks to all the hole sponsors and donors who contributed to the event by donating money, gift certificates and amazing items for this event.

The weather cooperated and our close to 60 golfers enjoyed a round of golf, dice roll for prizes, silent auction bidding, live auction (thanks auctioneer David) and a tasty lunch. Once the final accounting is done, we'll share the fundraising tally for this annual golfing event. Hope to see you out next year!