Illustrating how four of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are interconnected. Strategically working on one Goal also achieves related Goals at the same time.
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Beatrice Osome — a Canadian / Kenyan retired nurse and activist (shown here with her husband Ben) — is devoting her time, since 2006, to digging as many wells as possible in her native Kenya. As of June, 2017, she has organized — with many different organizations and the support and encouragement of her husband Ben — to dig and manage wells at 14 different primary school sites in Kenya.
Bea says, “In a developed country such as Canada, there is no need to walk two or three kilometres to fetch water — mostly contaminated — in large buckets, basins and jerry cans carried on one's head. In developing countries like my own Kenya, this is an unfortunate reality, especially in rural areas.” |
This graphic on the right is derived from the feature article 'Well Wisher' about Bea Osome in the July 2012 Edition of the magazine 'Rotary Canada.' Bea is a member of the West Ottawa Rotary Club. Highlighted from this article is a photo of Bea at the first well she organized to be dug near her mother's home in Kenya. |
As well, these young girls go to fetch water with containers weighing up to 20 kg to carry on their heads for long and steep distances back to their homes. They are thus extremely susceptible to back injuries, including scoliosis and curvature of the spine.
Additionally, many of the rivers where young girls go to fetch water are also used by Motorcycle Taxi ‘Boda Boda’ drivers to wash their motorcycles. This also leaves these young girls at risk as some of the drivers have ill intentions with the girls — to abuse, rape and impregnate them. The Bea Osome Clean Water Project funds the construction of hand-dug wells on school grounds where students, school staff and neighbouring communities can conveniently and safely access clean water and maintain these wells, cooperatively, as a community resource. School officials or community leaders requesting wells submit their proposals to Bea Osome for consideration. Once the wells have been approved and the funding secured, the wells are dug by hand, using locally-available materials, equipment and labour. Once the wells are completed, the users are trained and required to properly maintain them. |
Bea and Ben Osome have also dedicated their work — to develop wells in their native Kenya — in memory of their daughter Charity Bernice Osome, who passed after a prolonged illness in October, 2010. The far left image indicates a special memorial in her honour dedicated at the same time the Epanga Primary School well was opened. |
In 2020 — during the COVID pandemic — Bea is raising funds with opportunities to purchase Kenyan Handicrafts and gifts. Contact Bea for your private viewing and your opportunity to support this worthwhile project!
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Dedicated in 2016 with the support of the Rotary Club of West Ottawa, Ontario.
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Dedicated in November 2015, to the memory of Charity Osome with the support of the West Ottawa Rotary Club & the MET Bible Church.
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Dedicated in 2017 with the support of the Rotary Club of West Ottawa, Ontario.
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Dedicated in February 2016 with the support of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.
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Dedicated in January 2012 with support from the West Ottawa & Marriott Ottawa Rotarians.
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Dedicated in February, 2014 with support from the West Ottawa Rotary Club.
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