A group from Windsor-Essex is on a humanitarian mission to Africa.
Rotary Club of Windsor-Essex President Kim Spirou says the trip was made possible thanks to a record setting fundraising drive this year which saw more than $216,000 raised.
The group is in the process of building two schools, sanitation facilities and nine water wells in Ghana.
Spirou says the new wells are providing the biggest boost.
"They first wanted to take me to where they were drawing their water from and when I got there it was pretty much a stagnant pool of water. The chief, he said to me, "I want you to know so many of my people die because we have no clean water and you have given us the gift of life. A gift we will never forget."
Rotary Club of Windsor-Essex President Kim Spirou in Ghana (Photo courtesy of Kim Spirou)
She says they've been visiting a different village nearly every day.
"Most of the villages that we're working in are quite remote and isolated. So we have off-road driving about two hours every day there and back to these various sites. But when we arrive the villagers are all out in full force and so grateful for the water wells that we were about to open."
Spirou says they've been providing medical help as well including polio vaccines.
"It was such a privilege to be able to administer those precious drops to the little ones. We provided funds to purchase some additional vaccines so more children could be reached and Rotary could help to fulfill its promise to the world to rid the world of polio."
The group of nearly 20 volunteers returns to Windsor later this week.
— with files from AM800's Patty Handysides