Every drop counts
477. Mike Reynolds
A retired Colonel has spent over a decade delivering sustainable water projects in remote communities across the world.
Col Mike Reynolds saw first hand the poverty that comes from a lack of basic amenities. In 1980 he was serving in Nepal in the brigade of Gurkhas and planning water supply schemes in Himalayan villages. He saw the difference these projects made to the remote communities he was based in and it inspired him to continue working on water projects across the world.
Mike now serves as a Trustee and has been involved with Just a Drop, an international water development charity, for 11 years. He has worked on projects in Mongolia, Chile, Bolivia, Niger and Kenya. As the charity expanded he was made a Project Engineer focusing particularly on Uganda. Since 2011, Mike has been responsible for projects reaching over 100,000 people in Uganda who now have access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene education. Mike has seen how these simple, sustainable solutions make a huge difference to people’s lives. By developing low-tech projects owned by the community, local people can sustain their water supply for years, benefiting generations to come.
Mike has a critical role in delivering these projects across the world. He spends one month every year in Uganda visiting every one of the projects to ensure the money has been properly spent and that they continue to function as intended for the long term. He has also taken sponsors and trustees to visit the projects so that donors can see how their money is benefiting remote communities. As a local contact, he also sets up trustworthy and sustainable partners for Just a Drop to work with on a long term basis.
Although he has been working abroad for 47 years, spanning 7 different continents, Mike shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to play a key role in the work of Just a Drop and to deliver life-changing projects to hundreds of thousands of people every year.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“Colonel Mike Reynolds has made a huge difference by using the skills he developed in the Royal Engineers to support the work of Just a Drop. The projects he has led in Uganda over the last decade have helped over 100,000 people have access to clean, safe water. I am delighted to be able to recognise him as the UK’s 477th Point of Light.”
Mike said:
“Words cannot describe how honoured I am to receive the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award. I am inspired everyday by the communities that we work with. In this line of work I am able to meet some of the kindest, most resilient people and I am thrilled that we succeed in helping them to live a better, safer, cleaner life. Working with Fiona, the Trustees, the rest of the Just a Drop team, helping to give the gift of water, has been and continues to be an absolute pleasure. Thank you Mr & Mrs Cameron.”