The humanitarian efforts of longtime horseman Ken Wood continue to gain recognition and prove that one man really can make a difference
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Wood, 66, who has owned and operated Lifetime Well Drilling in Denton, Md. since the 1970s, has traveled to Ghana 15 times in past three years, drilling hundreds of drinking wells in a 60-mile radius.
"The so-called ponds were full of flea eggs that often gave the people drinking the water what they call Guinea worm," Wood said in a delawareonline.com article highlighting his work in the Votta region in southeastern Ghana. "It isn't a pretty sight and can affect them for the rest of their lives. I understand the average life span is 53, if you are lucky."
In early February this year, the United States Harness Writers Association recognized Wood for his efforts in Ghana, presenting him with the January Davies Humanitarian Award at the Night of Stars awards.
"What Ken has done these past four years is unbelievable. I think that Ken truly believes he is on a mission from God," said Salvatore DiMario, executive director of the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association. "He is very unselfish. God knows how many people he has helped or saved their lives over there, by giving them fresh water. It's something we simply take for granted, but not for people in those areas."
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(With files from delawareonline.com)