It began in 2002, although the idea had been around for several years, since a former club member visited Nicaragua on a church mission trip. Former Rotarian Bob Scroggs came back to the club with reports of severe hardships caused by the lack of potable water among the very poor in that country.

The Rotary Club of Tulsa, through its International Projects Committee, located an old truck-mounted water well rig, found a volunteer driller and acquired the rig. We also purchased drilling and water production supplies and bought a 45 foot cargo trailer to ship the supplies to Nicaragua, on board a ship out of the Port of Gulfport, MS into Puerto Cortes, Honduras, then overland to Managua, Nicaragua. The trailer also contained medical supplies donated by Medical Supplies Network, a District #6110 project. The medical supplies were destined for a hospital in Masaya.

Fortunately, Dr. Julio Cuadra, one of the members of the RC of Tulsa, a native of Masaya, Nicaragua, made contact with a childhood friend who was reorganizing the Rotary Club of Masaya. Through efforts of Rotarian Julio, we were able to form apartnership with the Rotary Club of Masaya and obtain a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant. The project was underway!

In the early months of 2003, Scroggs and Micky Moore, the well driller from Bristow, went to Nicaragua for six weeks. Moore, not then a Rotarian, volunteered his time and talents to help with the project, promising to dedicate six weeks each year for at least four years.

The first year was a difficult one, a time of learning. Western Nicaragua's geography is dominated by a string of extinct and dormant volcanoes which, centuries ago, erupted and deposited thousands of feet of volcanic ash. This forms the sub-soil of the region. When we began to drill in the conventional way, with water as the medium to circulate the cuttings out of the hole, we found that the formations sucked up the drilling fluid as fast as we could have it hauled to us. In short, we only achieved one water well, but the barrio residents gladly received it.

The next year, we obtained a high-volume diesel driven air compressor, and converted the rig to an air drill. With this conversion, nine good wells were drilled and put on production. Also this year, the gift of a pickup truck, a donation from Explorer Pipeline, provided much needed mobility and a means to pull our pipe trailer.

In 2005, we hit our stride and completed nineteen good water producers, ranging in depth from around 100 feet to over 300 feet. All of these wells were capable of producing at least ten gallons of water per minute, and were provided with electrical down-hole pumps, although electric service was not yet available in some areas. A promise was given that electricity would be forthcoming.

The 2006 drilling program was  an unqualified success. We drilled 26 good wells that year and had drilled a total of 55 wells for the project to date. Mickey Moore, now a Rotarian and a member of the Rotary Club of Bristow, was in the field from the first of February until the last day of April.

The 2007 program was also successful with 30 wells completed by driller Mickey Moore and Nicaraguan crew.

After Mickey left the crew drilled an additional two good wells.  By the end of the drilling season, we had chalked up 87 wells for the project.

In 2008 the project acquired two large International diesel trucks for the rig and equipment which enabled us to drill in areas that we were not able to access with the old equipment. This acquisition allowed us to retire the old 1976 Ford truck, and greatly improved our mobility and range.

2008 also marked the beginning of our new partnership with the Rotary Club of León, a strong and vibrant club whose members are deeply involved in the project. By the end of the season, we had added another 33 wells to the total.

In summary, the water well project of the Rotary Club of Tulsa has been successful in drilling and completing over 120 good water wells, providing potable water to well over 40,000 people. But we have not done it alone. Many Rotary clubs in District #6110, and all over the United States and Canada have contributed to this effort. A list of participating clubs is shown elsewhere on this web site.

As we begin operations in 2009, we invite and encourage clubs and individuals within and beyond our District to join with the Rotary Club of Tulsa in continuing this vital humanitarian project. Your participation is welcomed at any level.