The Rotary Club of Maryland Ikeja under Rotary International District 9111 has strengthened its international collaboration with Rotary International District 3750, South Korea to expand humanitarian projects in underserved communities, targeting vulnerable populations in hard-to-reach areas across Lagos State.

Speaking during an international friendship exchange visit to Rotary Club of Maryland yesterday, the District 9111 Governor, Henry Akinyele, said the partnership has already delivered a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) project in Isan community, located in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Akinyele explained that the initiative, funded through Rotary’s global grant system with District 3750 as the primary international partner, provided solar-powered clean water to the riverine communities in the state, which lacks basic infrastructure such as potable water, electricity and road access.

“The project is located in Isan community in Epe. It is a rural settlement accessible only by water, about 30 minutes by boat from the jetty. There is no power supply, no water and no access road. This is why the solarised water project is critical,” Akinyele said.

Akinyele further explained that Rotary’s funding model pools contributions from multiple partners, with international collaborators playing a major role in financing large-scale interventions.

He said the visit by the South Korean delegation is part of Rotary’s Friendship Exchange Programme, designed to foster cultural understanding, strengthen partnerships and encourage joint humanitarian initiatives across countries.

Akinyele further noted that the relationship between both districts began at a West African Project Fair and has since translated into tangible development outcomes, including the completed WASH project executed.

On her part, the District Governor of District 3750, Moon Ok Kang, said the intervention has significantly improved access to clean water for children and the entire residents, reducing exposure to waterborne diseases and improving school attendance.

Kang said before the project, children depended on lagoon water, which exposed them to disease and caused delays in getting to school, noting that with the WASH project, they currently have safe drinking water, while the children are healthier and can focus on their studies.

She disclosed that WASH Rotary-supported projects in the community were valued at $38,500, while an additional interventions in maternal and child health currently being planned is estimated at $33,000.

Kang added that Nigeria was selected as a priority location for intervention following recommendations at an international Rotary planning meeting, noting that the scale of need and potential for impact made it a suitable choice.