The spirit of Ride for Rotary has always been about more than riding across India. It is about bringing people together, raising funds and turning a shared journey into something that creates lasting change.
One of the most meaningful examples of this spirit is the Mariyasadanam Water Project — a Rotary initiative that transformed access to water at the Mariyasadanam Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Center in Kerala.
A Simple Need That Became a Lasting Solution
The original idea was straightforward: help Mariyasadanam acquire its own water truck so that the centre could secure a regular supply of water.
But as the project developed, the Rotary teams involved found an opportunity to create something far more sustainable.
A Water Truck
Provide Mariyasadanam with its own water truck to help secure a regular supply of water.
A Permanent Water System
A large modern well, automated water supply, pipelines and storage tanks created a sustainable source of water.
Instead of financing a water truck, the project ultimately developed a large modern well approximately 2 km from Mariyasadanam, together with an automated water-supply system.
Pipes were laid through a rubber plantation, connecting the well to the rehabilitation centre.
Large water storage tanks were also constructed at Mariyasadanam, providing an uninterrupted water supply to the centre.
The land for the well was generously donated by a local member of the Rotary Club of Pala, making it possible to establish the water source as a long-term community asset.
A Truly International Rotary Effort
The project brought together Rotarians and Rotary clubs from across the world.
The Ride for Rotary 4 participant and donor group included supporters from the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, USA, Germany, the UK, Poland and Canada, alongside members of Aarhus Rotary Club.
The participating Rotary clubs represented an even wider international network, including clubs from Belgium, Switzerland, USA, Denmark, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and the UK.
Rotarians from different countries can come together around a common journey and turn that connection into meaningful local action.
The Ride for Rotary spiritFrom the Road to Real Impact
Ride for Rotary 4 took place from 17–29 January 2020, covering a remarkable route through South India.
But the journey did not end when the participants returned home.
The fundraising generated through the Ride continued to create an impact long after the participants had left India.
In January 2022, Jakob and Anika Bejer visited Mariyasadanam to witness and experience the completed project themselves.
Their visit provided a fitting opportunity to see what the collective effort had achieved: a water infrastructure system designed not simply to address an immediate shortage, but to provide the centre with a reliable supply for years to come.
2020 · An idea begins
The project began with a fundraising goal of US$40,000 to address Mariyasadanam’s water needs.
2021 · The project is completed
The water infrastructure project was completed, creating a more sustainable solution than the original water-truck idea.
January 2022 · The impact is witnessed
Jakob and Anika Bejer visited Mariyasadanam and experienced the completed project themselves.
A Project Built to Last
The Mariyasadanam Water Project captures what Ride for Rotary stands for.
A journey begins with people.
People create friendships.
Friendships create collaboration.
And collaboration can create something that remains long after the journey is over.
What began as an idea to fund a water truck became a permanent water infrastructure project, supported by Rotarians across continents and delivered through the partnership of the Rotary Club of Pala and Aarhus Rotary Club.
Ride Together. Give Together.
This is the Ride for Rotary difference — creating friendships through the journey and leaving behind something that matters.
