Roger Clinton (centre) has initiated a project to replace a school in an impoverished village on the northeast coast of Honduras. His wife, Gerrie Harker (left), accompanied him on his most recent trip and as a nurse, she has helped the villagers with their medical needs. Presenting them with a Rotary banner is Rotary Club of Osoyoos President Judy Miller-Bennett. (Richard McGuire photo)
A local couple raising funds to build a school in an impoverished Honduras village is holding a fundraising event this Saturday.
Roger Clinton and Gerrie Harker have been working through the Rotary Club of Osoyoos to raise funds to build the school in Esperancita, an isolated village near Trujillo on the northern Caribbean coast of Honduras.
The fundraiser runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Harker’s Organic and Rustic Roots Winery in Cawston.
Admission is by donation and guests may also donate to the project by buying one or more “bricks” for the school for $10 each.
Donors receive a certificate and can request a charitable donation receipt issued by the Rotary Club.
The event will offer wine tasting and food items to eat and sample, said Harker. Visitors can also view information about the project.
Earlier this year, Clinton provided funding to replace a crumbling mud building used as a kindergarten in the village. The old kindergarten was dark and had insects and other pests.
The current project is to build a new school to serve Grades 1 to 10.
Harker said close to $12,000 has already been raised for the new school, but about $15,000 is the total needed.
The couple is returning to Honduras in early December.
The winery is located at 2238 Hwy. 3 in Cawston.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
