Sunshine’s Richard Harvie is no ordinary plumber.
Mr Harvie has received $12,500 from Reece to continue his charity work in Zimbabwe, where he is helping set up self-sustaining fresh water projects to help more than 7000 people in the Gweru District, 300 kilometres from the country’s capital, Harare.
Mr Harvie, who works alongside charity partner Hopes and Dreams, said the grant will be a huge help to ensuring his work continues.
“I was a bit shocked when I got the call about it, but over the moon at the same time,” Mr Harvie said. “It’s a passion I’ve had for a long time now, but I’ve only recently done something about it … and since each well costs roughly $12,500 from start to finish, this is a big help for us.”
Hopes and Dreams was founded by Mr Harvie’s friend, Nello Ragusa, and has set up wells in Zimbabwe and India in the past four years. A chance reconnection after three years without seeing each other prompted Mr Harvie to get involved in the charity.
He has been raising money through his own business, offering customers the chance to donate to the cause, and said he planned to visit Zimbabwe in April to get a first-hand look at the work being done.
“That’s going to be out of this world,” he said.
“To see the people in the villages, and you can’t have places like that without clean water, so I’m sure it will bring a tear to the eye when I get there.
“I’ve got a passion to help people, and we’re hoping to get Reece more involved this year as well, hopefully start building toilet blocks and showing the villagers how to maintain them all once they’re built, which is crucial.”
Details: www.hopesanddrreams.org.au
