WASH Rotary Action Group Newsletter – March 2021

Visit us at: WASH-RAG.org 
Maintenant en français

Like every good Rotary project, you need to have a pilot. For the past two months, we have been working out the logistics to provide this newsletter in French. With this issue, we are providing a link to a French version of the Newsletter.
 
We appreciate the assistance of Philippe Jacq, Secrétaire Général - Eau sans frontières internationale, who is reviewing and approving the French translation.

Eau sans frontières was founded in 1978. This French association of Rotarians has improved access to clean water to over one million people, through hundreds of projects, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Read about Eau sans frontiers on the Stories Page of our website.
WWS13 – Virtual World Water Summit 13
The 2019 WHO/UNICEF report on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities (HCFs) outlined the stark inadequacy of WASH services in HCFs around the world, especially in the least developed countries. Access to safe WASH is required to prevent and control infections, and ensure safe treatment of patients, staff, and families. Learn about WASH in HCFs and what your club can do to help address this critical issue.
 
Register now for the
Clean Water = Great Beer
The above statement should say more accurately “With B.R.E.W. we get Clean Water”. Over the past four years, the Rotary Fellowship Beer Rotarians Enjoy Worldwide (B.R.E.W.) has donated $18,000 to support clean water projects through the WASH Rotary Action Group. At the 2021 Rotary International Virtual Convention in Taipei, Taiwan, B.R.E.W. plans to make another generous donation to the WASH Rotary Action Group.  
On its website RotaryBREW.org describes the mission of its Rotary Fellowship. They aim to foster and encourage fellowship between and among Rotarians of all nations who have love Beer. Through this Fellowship, they support international projects of the Rotary Foundation. Annual membership of $20 USD, or lifetime membership of $100 USD.

Steven Lack, B.R.E.W. Vice-Chair, Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill, California, tells the story: in 2013 as District Governor his district undertook the project to provide water wells to five villages in the country Burkina Faso in West Africa. In the following year, he visited one of the villages and villagers had used some of the clean water to brew beer. That is when he realized clean water and beer were universal.

In 2016, Arnold R. Grahl, Rotary International Journalist, wrote an article for the Rotary News called “All You Need to Know About Beer and Clean Water”. If you enjoy a beer, warm or cold, consider joining this dynamic Rotary Fellowship and in turn, support clean water projects.  
World Water Day Trivia Competition
Haiti Outreach is celebrating World Water Day by holding a Virtual Trivia night where you can learn about the value of water (which is the 2021 theme for this day), and an update on the progress on bringing water to Haiti. This free event is being held Mon March 22, 7:30 pm CST (19:30 h UTC +5).
 
In 2018, Rotary International made a commitment to work with Haiti Outreach and other organizations under the umbrella organization HANWASH to provide clean water to all the citizens of Haiti.
 
To learn more and to register visit FREE Virtual Trivia Night
Cleaning up the Mississippi River
It is not often that a Global Grant has a Host Club from the United States. A group of passionate Rotarians are working on an initiative to have Rotary clubs work together to clean the waste along the Mississippi River. This major waterway transports 40% of the world's food supply, and 60% of the world’s grain supply.

With an active Facebook page and some very informative videos, this initiative is gaining some traction. Read more about this project on our website’s Stories page.
Sunny Akuopha Honored
In February, DGN Sunny Akuopha, was recognized with The Rotary Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award. This is the Foundations highest service recognition and is given only to Rotarians who have demonstrated exemplary service.
 
Ron Denham, Chair Emeritus, WASH Rotary Action Group, said “Sunny Akuopha, who has been a pillar supporting WASH programs in Mali, despite the conflict and political uncertainity.”
Bath House Transforms Village
In 2009, the Rotary Club of Naperville took advantage of a Global Grant to construct a water filtration system and bath house for the village of Duppage, in Andhra Pradesh, India. The bath house was built because the women and girls were repeatedly assaulted when they would go out to the fields to relieve themselves. Girls stopped going to school because they had no facilities.
 
With the help of an architect, who was a Rotarian, the women of the village came up with the design of the bath house. A decade later, Pat Merryweather-Arges made an unannounced visit to the site and found it in impeccable shape. The women continue to maintain the filtration system and the villagers all pay a fee to keep the bath house clean. Pat was extremely pleased to find that the village has flourished with children going to school, including girls, and the huts are gone and replaced by sturdy homes. Bath houses include private toilet stalls, sinks, and showers. Women have been trained on using water, proper sanitation, and hygiene.
WASH Rotary Action Group Projects
The WASH Rotary Action Group Project Page continues to grow with a variety of projects from around the globe. The project list provides Rotary members with a place to get expert advice and obtain financial support from other clubs for major project grants. Future newsletters will include a featured project and a few additional projects from the WASH Rotary Action Group Project page.
Highlighted Project
In 2015, the villagers of Judigaun, located in the Mandanpur municipality of Nepal, were displaced after a significant earthquake. The 120 households now rely on an outdated water system that hardly provides enough water for the 840 residents.
 
The host club, the Rotary Club of Dhulikhel, Nepal, is looking for an International partner. $75,000 is needed for their project to construct a new sustainable water source that isn't susceptible to landslides. Follow this link for more information on the Nepal Drinking Water Project            
Calendar of Events
Mar 22, 2021 – Virtual World Water Day Trivia Night - 7:30 pm CST (19:30 h UTC +5)
 
Mar 22, 2021 - WORLD WATER DAY
 
 
May 5, 2021 - HAND HYGIENE DAY
 
May 28, 2021 - MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY
 
Virtual World Water Summit 13 – WASH in Healthcare Facilities
Thurs. June 3, 6 pm CST (18 h UTC +5) or
        Fri. June 4, 10 am CST (10 h UTC +5)
 
Oct 4-8, 2021 - UNC Water and Health Conference, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
 
Oct 15, 2021 - GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY
 
Oct 24, 2021 - WORLD POLIO DAY
 
Nov 19, 2021 - WORLD TOILET DAY
 
Submit your stories, videos, and pictures for upcoming Newsletters to us at info@wasrag.org.
The WASH Rotary Action Group is pleased to consider partnerships with any corporate supporter. Due to the unique attributes of water sources and water provision, acceptance of corporate support does not imply an endorsement of any particular water technology. Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, and Rotary partners must evaluate any technology to determine if it is the best solution for the conditions where the program will be implemented. The WASH Rotary Action Group can provide guidance about where different technologies work best, but Rotarians and Rotary clubs must make the final decision about how to implement their programs.