Generous donations from Bermuda have brought water to villagers in one of India's most impoverished regions.

Bermudian Diane Kirwin, of the Kirwin International Relief Foundation (KIRF), reported that $12,000 from Rotary clubs has funded wells this year in India's Bihar state.

"One well was successfully dug in March, 2010, and we're now working on four others," Mrs. Kirwin said.

"We're also looking into water harvesting. But everything takes more time than people think. There are government plans, but you have to understand that these are basically forgotten people. A lot of doctors won't even come to Bihar."

Mrs. Kirwin said the charity's target area near Bodhgaya has no electricity and summer temperatures of 120 degrees in the shade. Thanks in part to funds provided since 2009 by the Pembroke, Hamilton and Sandys Rotary Clubs, KIRF India also opened a rural clinic last February.

Speaking before her speech to the Hamilton Rotary Club this week, Mrs. Kirwin said the clinic now receives about 60 visitors at each weekly opening.

"A lot of village children have been able to receive surgeries through the clinic," she said.

Mrs. Kirwin, 75, set up the foundation several years ago with her son Mark.

She resides in northern California but spends four months a year in India supervising the charity.

Mrs. Kirwin will return to Bihar soon to investigate water collection methods in the drought-stricken area.

Assistant Rotary Governor Keith Clifton said: "One of the big problems with rotary water projects has been that we so readily give money for wells which then fail.

"The great thing about working with Diane is she has people out there who can maintain and look after the wells, and teach others how to do it."