A new water fountain installed on West Bay Road will not only provide relief to parched passersby, but also help one local service organisation work towards its goal of providing clean, potable water to people around the world.
The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman's initiative will see a new fountain on the major thoroughfare, near the north entrance to the Rise in the proximity of Burger King. Camana Bay has sponsored the initiative.
"An important aspect of charitable and community service work is to provide relief to all who need it, in ways big and small," said Rotary Club of Grand Cayman member Ivan Eubanks. "When someone is walking along West Bay Road and feels thirsty, we can offer a bit of relief as a reminder that there are people and organisations who prioritise doing good in the world. Just being reminded of that, in and of itself, provides comfort and gratification to me, as I'm sure it does to others."
Eubanks says the fountains also provide a more sustainable approach to drinking water as they encourage the use of reusable bottles versus single-use plastic bottles.
The local chapter has been involved in Rotary Club International's broader clean water initiative, which provides grants and other resources geared to provide education about and access to water, sanitation and hygiene programmes. In addition to clean water initiatives here in Cayman, the club has also participated in international programmes, including some designed to provide clean water to people throughout Haiti.
"Clean water is vital to life and in some places in the world people have difficulties accessing it," Eubanks said. "Having clean water reduces the risk of disease, which can be spread through polluted water, and simply the act of bathing or washing hands in clean water also helps reduce the spread of disease."
The club plans to install another fountain at Governor's Beach.
This article was originally featured in the February 2024 print edition of Camana Bay Times.
"We can offer a bit of relief as a reminder that there are people and organisations who prioritise doing good in the world."