H2OpenDoors Arrives in Cuba

USA - English

• Latin America - español

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba, April 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, 40 donors and participants from H2OpenDoors arrived in Santiago de Cuba for an 8-day expedition intended to meet innovators and entrepreneurs in Cuba and share ideas. There is much to be learned from both cultures, and the travelers from the U.S. on this trip represent a broad cross section of experience. Members of Rotary, business owners, teachers, fire chiefs, technology experts, journalists all will take part in a site survey for a robust water purification system the group has donated to H2OpenDoors for a rural community in Granma province.

Following their working visits to the colonies in the eastern part of the country, the group will spend 4 days in Havana and host a Cocktail Networking Gala at the Hotel Nacional for 100 Cuban entrepreneurs on April 13, 2016. Some members of the Cuban Parliament, the U.S. Embassy and agencies will also take part.

The day after the Gala, a walking tour of Havana's poorest neighborhoods will locate the best sites for more water systems to be donated through the H2OpenDoors project of Rotary. The solar and wind-powered SunSpring system can produce enough safe drinking water every day for 10,000 people.

Hospitals, schools and villages throughout the world have been recipients of the SunSpring systems, in Haiti, Thailand, Mexico, Nepal and Guatemala. Producing 5000 gallons a day without the need for electricity, fuel or chemicals, the SunSpring systems can be the basis of a water bottling operation where sales of water can drive revenue to support the social services for the poor. Jon Kaufman, Director of H2OpenDoors says, "With many of the installations, water sales provide for college scholarships, classroom expansion and new computers."

Former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, agrees with this approach as a way to support struggling non-government organizations. "My foundation, Vamos Mexico, appreciates H2OpenDoors and their work to provide safe drinking water for the poor." One of the charitable centers under his foundation, CRISMA in Central Mexico, serves children with serious brain illnesses. "We have started a water distribution business at CRISMA, "continues Mr. Fox," and 100% of the profits go to support the work to rehabilitate these kids."

About H2OpenDoors: A project of Rotary Clubs, H2OpenDoors provides water purification systems that also offer opportunity for businesses in developing regions. Go to www.H2OpenDoors.org

CONTACT: Jon Kaufman, 1-650-520-6873, [email protected]

SOURCE H2OpenDoors