The Honduras work in the early years focused on improving community water, incorporating circuit rider training and technical assistance similar to programs of the National Rural Water Association he had worked with in this country. "While we had some success, we realized that we were missing a significant portion of the problem," he said. Combating infectious disease requires sanitation and hygiene efforts as well as clean, safe water. "We are now working with a number of U.S. Rotary Clubs to install proper sanitation facilities along with community water systems," he said. Generally, family members construct the facilities with materials provided through the project supporters. About a year ago the water association added school-based health and hygiene training, using donated microscopes to introduce germ theory to children and their parents. "This has had a tremendous impact, showing them that just because water looks clean it can be filled with germs."
Pakistan RPCV Fred Stottlemyer brings safe water to Honduran communities
Retiree helps bring safe water to Honduran communities
Fred Stottlemyer encourages others to pursue volunteer work
by Evadna Bartlett
For the Daily Mail
Caption: Water pipeline in Honduras by WaterPartners International Flickr Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic
Jobs were scare when Fred Stottlemyer graduated from Bethany College in the early 1960s. He signed on as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years in East Pakistan.
Five years ago, when Stottlemyer retired following a long career with the South Putnam Public Service District, he once more embarked on nearly fulltime volunteer work - this time in another part of the world.
Now he spends about five months each year in rural Central American communities, continuing work he started part-time prior to retirement.
When he's in the States, he devotes about half his time to raising funds, researching and planning safe water, sanitation and hygiene projects, currently in Honduras.
Stottlemyer turns 70 this week and has no plans to quit; rather he encourages retirees to find meaningful volunteer activity.
"We have a lot to offer of our skills and experience," he told me.
His volunteer work in Latin America stems in part from the development of a water purifier he conceived while working in Putnam County.
He turned to an engineer to bring his concept to reality.
"I had this idea. He knew how to do it," Stottlemyer said.
It was a simple unit to treat water in isolated areas. It has been field-tested and modified and now is an established part of the program in Honduras.
"A recent installation of a dual-tank system provided safe water to a community of 85 families at a cost of $300," he told me.
A former board president of the International Rural Water Association, Stottlemyer works as a volunteer with the group.
He helped found Agua y Desarrollo Comunitario (Community Water and Development), staffed with an engineer, a health worker and "circuit riders" who help communities with water problems.
Establishing the non-governmental organization was time consuming.
"The organizing process took over two years, of which a year and half was required to gain the government approval," Stottlemyer said in an e-mail, reflecting on lessons he learned as a Peace Corps volunteer years earlier.
"It definitely taught me the importance of working at the community level. It also taught me to be more patient and to stick with something once you have started it."
Adaptability seems to figure in, as well.
The Honduras work in the early years focused on improving community water, incorporating circuit rider training and technical assistance similar to programs of the National Rural Water Association he had worked with in this country.
"While we had some success, we realized that we were missing a significant portion of the problem," he said.
Combating infectious disease requires sanitation and hygiene efforts as well as clean, safe water.
"We are now working with a number of U.S. Rotary Clubs to install proper sanitation facilities along with community water systems," he said. Generally, family members construct the facilities with materials provided through the project supporters.
About a year ago the water association added school-based health and hygiene training, using donated microscopes to introduce germ theory to children and their parents.
"This has had a tremendous impact, showing them that just because water looks clean it can be filled with germs."
In his years with projects in Haiti and Honduras, Stottlemyer has assisted or managed projects with college engineering students, and more recently, coming full circle, with Peace Corps volunteers.
"If you work with young people, it makes you younger, " said the father of three and grandfather of six.
Not all of us have the financial wherewithal to volunteer overseas. Not all spouses would sanction long absences. Perhaps Stottlemyer's wife, Ann, a retired commissioner of the state Bureau of Senior Services, understands better than most. They served together in the Peace Corps.
But there are plenty of volunteer opportunities closer to home.
"Just visit groups that need volunteers; it definitely opens new opportunities," Stottlemyer said.
