African adventure for club Rotarians

Representatives from the Rotary Club of Biggleswade Ivel will be spending two weeks in Kenya and will be guests of a fellow club in the country.

Since it was formed in 2000 the club has established links with the Rotary Club of Karen in Nairobi.

Members have also worked on a series of projects which aim to benefit different regions.

Biggleswade rotarians Colin and Liz McCartney, David and Mary Whitehead, Keith Hitchisson plus Phil Douglas from the Rotary Club of Wellingborough flew to Nairobi on Friday (February 1).

Colin said: “We are looking forward to meeting the Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Karen, who are kindly putting us up while we are in the city.

“From there we will be travelling to other parts of the country to see how the different projects have progressed.”

A particularly important scheme for the club is the supply of mosquito nets.

Colin added: “For some time now we have been helping to distribute mosquito nets to areas where the Massai tribes are based.

“Traditionally malaria has been a problem there and the nets help to prevent mosquitos from spreading the disease.”

Tackling infected water supplies will also be a priority on the trip.

Colin said: “Mosquitos tend to breed in still water sources rather than flowing ones, so many of the water sources that are open to the elements are often home to the insects. One of our new projects will see us laying concrete down at the springs so the water can be directed to a tank with a tap, keeping it clear of contamination and mosquitos too.”

The group will also be visiting schools where they have helped to provide new equipment – especially to disabled students – and going on the occasional safari.

Since it was formed the club has been supporting the St Andrew’s Clinics for Children charity, which supports and develops health care for children in Africa.