NORTH BEND - Two local rotary clubs extend their giving hand halfway across the world with a project helping rural school children.

Clean drinking water, toilet facilities, proper sanitation, to most people these are common, every day amenities.

But for many school children near Surabaya in East Java, Indonesia it was a different story, until the Coos Bay-North Bend and Bandon by the Sea Rotary clubs stepped in.

"One of our main missions as an international organization it to improve water and sanitation all over the world in countries that are developing," says Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary member Jon Richards.

Both South Coast clubs partnered with two Rotary clubs located in Surabaya and with their assistance, were able to identify eight primary schools in need of clean water and proper sanitation.

"Before we stepped in, many of these schools had wells that did not function properly. Many children had to go out into the fields in order to go to the bathroom or hold it due to a lack of toilet facilities."

The $13,200 project, which was overseen by the Surabayan clubs, included installation of toilets, water towers, drinking fountains, a library in each school, and fresh milk once a week.

A little over a month ago Richards traveled to Surabaya with a group of 20 Rotarians from across the Northwest to see the progress that was made on the project.

"Their appreciation was pretty enthusiastic. It was kind of like pandemonium when we arrived, they were very grateful," says Richards.

Around 1,950 school children were impacted by this project alone.

"We're trying to enlist the support of other area clubs to help us with more projects similar to this one. I'm hoping we can double the amount of children we help next time."

Richards says they hope to continue to work with the local clubs and help more schools throughout Indonesia.