The Rotary Dreiländereck and Rotaract Basel joined forces at short notice but with great motivation. A group of eager helpers travelled to S-Chanf in the Engadine for a weekend with the aim of developing a water pipe from a spring down to the alpine pasture. The helpers arrived at the pasture at the same time as the 100 or so cows and calves, where they took shovels, pickaxes and good humour to the spring. In mostly sunny weather and with the cows "singing", the group dug, picked, shovelled and sweated until the ditch was uncovered on the first day. The farmers told of the changes and conditions they face in their work, bringing their world closer to ours (urban). During the convivial lunches and dinners, the volunteer workers celebrated the success of the day (which no one had expected in such a short time, not even the farmers) and enjoyed the time together and the enriching conversations.
On the second day, there was another early z'mörgelet and after the hike to the alpine pasture, the whole herd of cows gave the group a short and crisp warm-up sprint (and a shot of adrenaline). Afterwards, the water pipe was shovelled up again, which proved to be more strenuous than expected. Happy and exhausted, the Rotarians and Rotaractors were able to marvel at the completed work and bring the productive weekend to a close.
