 MATCHING GRANT PROPOSAL
Project Highlights
Host Partner: RC Koura
Country: Lebanon
District: 2450
Primary Contact: George Najjar, President 2007-2008
Mobile: +961 3 343620
Beneficiary: Association pour la protection de l’Environnment
Et du Patrimoine(Koura et Alentours) “APEP”
Project: Purchasing a water tank truck 7,000 liters.
Purpose: Irrigation of trees and plants to increase green areas
Need Addressed: Reduce health hazards resulting from polluted air
Source of Hazard: Smoke from neighboring factories
Reason of Hazard: Reduced green areas
Benefiting Community: 52 villages and towns in Koura (pop approx. 150,000)
Budget: US $ 24,650 TVA, water tank is included.
Available Seed Money: US $ 6,000
Suggested Supplier: Mitsubishi dealer in Tripoli.
Estimated time required
to complete project Not more then one year starting July 1, 2007
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project, the need it will address, intended beneficiaries, the way the project will benefit the community in need and the estimated length of time needed to complete the project.
Through this project, RC Koura will provide a water truck to help in the irrigation of over half a million trees planted recently in Koura to combat pollution and help to improve the environmental living conditions of the Koura inhabitants.
Koura is a hilly region in North Lebanon overlooking the Mediterranean and the majestic snowy mountains the Cedars of Lebanon. Koura has always been dubbed Al-Khadra (the Green) because of its famous evergreen olive orchards. Unfortunately, factories around Koura (especially two cement factories and their quarries, as well as the spread of residential and other types of construction has reduced the green areas of Koura tremendously during the last fifty years. Polluted air is increasingly threatening the health of the Koura population. Lung cancer and other related respiratory illnesses are becoming a fact of life. Clean air is being missed. The need to plant trees to purify the polluted air is becoming a top priority. Fortunately, the Association pour la Protection de l’Environment et du Patrimone (Koura et Alentours), APEP, an active NGO has taken great steps to help in the re-greening of Koura.
The host Rotarians of RC Koura will work with APEP to spread the planting and irrigation of trees in all towns and villages of Koura. Once the grant is approved, we anticipate that it will take three month to order and receive the truck. It will take less than two weeks to start operating the truck.
How the benefiting community will maintain this project after grant funding has been fully expended.
The Association APEP is a well established NGO. It has an impressive track record of environmental achievements. It has two large nurseries and sustainable sources of trees and plants it has the necessary human and financial resources to operate and maintain the truck along with all the other activities it is currently undertaking.
Activities of the host and international partners in implementing the project.
The host club has worked with APEP to identify the equipment needed for irrigating needs. They will assist in the purchasing, delivering and the registration of the water truck. The host Rotarians will also help in locating Koura neighborhoods with urgent need of green areas. The international club will assist with project planning and will maintain weekly communication with the host sponsor. Communication will be in the form of e-mails and regular reports. | 
