Colin Pritchard
Colin first became interested in Africa in 2004 when John Baigent, a retired lawyer and founder of Partners in the Horn of Africa, spoke to the Kelowna Bar Association about his organization’s projects in Ethiopia. What impressed Colin about Partners were two things: no money raised through donations was spent on administration and a commitment of 20% of the cost of any project must be paid by recipients or the villagers who would benefit by the project.
In typical Colin style, he asked, “What do you need?”
Thus began his first joint venture with Partners in the Horn of Africa. In 2004, he helped fund a flour mill for 1,500 families in the northern hills of Gojam. The women of the village carried 40 lbs of wheat 32 kms down the mountain to grind and then return to the village – a 3 day event. Through Partners in the Horn of Africa, Colin supplied the milling equipment, tin, nails and cement with the villagers providing the wood, rocks and labour. Colin was hooked and soon after, sponsored his first orphanage.
At about the same time, Kelowna Rotarians under the guidance of Richard Ingram, planned their first mission with Rotaplast International (RI) to the Philippines. Once local Rotarians were involved, it’s founder Dr. Angelo Capozzi came to speak at fundraising events in Kelowna, Penticton and to area Rotary clubs. It was during these events, Colin and Rotarian Bud Magrath met with Dr. Capozzi who expressed his desire to take RI to Africa but, lacked local connections to make inroads into that continent. Colin was the key link in connecting RI with the Assistant District Governor in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and plans began for the first mission to Ethiopia.
Colin, along with the newly formed Rotaplast Canada Inc. organization, helped fund the first RI mission to Ethiopia and was first on the ground in Addis Ababa to help negotiate when the team arrived. On this first mission, using mainly Kelowna-based volunteers, RI was able to help improve and change the lives of 120 children.
Since 2004, Rotaplast Canada has been instrumental in supporting 8 RI missions to various developing countries; 2 of which were to Ethiopia and only possible as a result of Colin’s support.
Colin continues to return to Ethiopia each year. In addition to his incredible support for Rotaplast Canada’s projects, he funds and facilitates many projects on his own or with other NGO’s. Some examples include: sending 2,500 books to the medical school library in Bahir Dar, providing a commercial washer and dryer to the hospital in Bahir Dar and a paediatric ultrasound for a hospital in Addis Ababa. Also, with John Kemp a Kelowna optometrist and a group of 21 opticians, examined and fit 5,000 adults and 223 children in Ethiopia with glasses.
In 2011, Colin was awarded Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award. This is Rotary’s highest honour for individual Rotarians to recognize those who have displayed exemplary humanitarian service. Only 150 Rotarians in the world receive this award per year.
Thank you Colin, for all that you do!
