For more Water and Sanitation News for January 2019, please Read More.......
NEWS:
May 31, 2019 - World Water Summit 11 - Hamburg, Germany - WASH: Achieving Lasting Impact
https://wasrag.org/page/world-
Learn more about Rotary success in the WASRAG stories.
But Not a Drop to Drink - The state of Kerala is in the southernmost tip of India. This area receives over 120 inches of water annually, but due to pollution from agricultural chemical run-off and poor sanitation systems, hundreds of thousands of people who live in this area have difficulty accessing potable water. You can learn more about this water crisis by going to the article "Neck-deep in water, but thirsty like in a desert" . Large Reverse Osmosis plants are providing people with the water they need. PDG Scaria Jose is working on a project to provide more of these RO Plants and would love other Rotary Clubs and Districts to get involved. Contact him for more information.
HANWASH in Haiti - At the 2018 Rotary International Convention in Toronto, it was announced that Rotary is tackling an ambitious project to bring clean water and sanitation to everyone in Haiti. HANWASH (Haiti National Clean Water, Sanitation and Health Strategy) has started work on four pilot projects. To learn more about HANWASH, visit the WASRAG Stories page Hanwash-in-Haiti
Young People tackle WASH Issues - Youth unemployment and lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation are among the world's most pressing issues. Young Water Solutions, an NGO, has been established to empower young people (18-30 years old) from low and middle-income countries to tackle water projects in their communities. They are looking for Rotaract members from low and middle income countries to bring forward water project ideas that require funding. They are also looking to partner with Rotary Clubs and Districts in a Global Grant proposal. To learn more about this new organization visit the WASRAG Stories page or visit www.youngwatersolutions.org.
Inventor of Biosand Filter Recognized - Dr. David Manz developed the household biosand filter in the 1990s at the University of Calgary in Canada. In October 2018, Dr. Manz was recognized by the Province of Alberta, Canada with the Alberta Order of Excellence, for his work on bringing this efficient and affordable clean water solution to thousands. It is estimated that over 650,000 biosand filters are being used in over 55 countries. The installation of many of these filters was through Rotary projects using District and Global Grants. Follow this link to learn more about biosand filters.
Help Communities in Tororo Provide WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) SKILLS : GLOBAL GRANT #GG1866760 PROJECT SUMMARY - This Global Grant is being submitted for project completion in 2018. Three Rotary Clubs will participate as local partners from Uganda including the Rotary Club of Kampala, the home club of RIPE Sam Owori (Deceased). CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS
World Water Day – March 22 – Plan Now! -Getting your club to clean up a local river is just one of many excellent ideas for a Service Project for World Water Day, March 22, 2019. As we come to the close of another year it is an opportunity to start planning for projects in early 2019, or for the President-Elects for their upcoming year. March 22 of each year is World Water Day. The theme this year is "Leave No One Behind". Resources for this year's theme will soon be available at www.worldwaterday.org . The other globally recognized day gaining some overdue awareness is Menstrual Hygiene Day - May 28. An excellent site for resources is www.menstrualhygieneday.org
We Want to Help! WASRAG has assembled a group of professionals to assist Rotary Clubs with their WASH projects. The team have experience in needs assessment, planning, grant preparation, implementation and WASH training. Members of the Professional Resources Team are from many countries, experienced in working in developing countries and are fluent in a number of languages. If you need help with a project send an email to: info@wasrag.org. For more details visit http://wasrag.org/page/
Our Members Asked? - WASRAG is extremely fortunate to count many dedicated and knowledgeable Rotarians on its team. Which is good - as our membership has lots of questions about the best technology to use on projects, how best to assess local needs, and best practices for sustainable projects. We would like to start a new feature in the newsletter, where you ask the questions and we get answers from our experts and the readers. We will provide the input in a future newsletter. Send your email to info@wasrag.org and indicate QUESTION in the title
The Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group is a group of Rotarians whose purpose is to support Rotary clubs to effectively plan, finance, implement, monitor and evaluate water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, where they are most needed in a collaborative, cost-effective, timely, and sustainable manner, true to the principles of Rotary International. Wasrag operates in accordance with Rotary International policy but is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International.
The Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (Wasrag) 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. Wasrag 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.
To submit stories and pictures our Newsletter, please email: info@wasrag.org to the attention of Wasrag newsletter editors Ian Rumbles and Terri Black.
Wasrag needs your membership. Membership revenue helps cover our administrative costs, website upgrades, training, development of support materials etc. To check whether your membership has expired, email Anna Shepherd
We love hearing about your projects and are delighted to relay these great opportunities for Rotarians to get involved in WASH projects! When posting your projects on the wasrag.org website, please remember to include the name of your Rotary club and District number. Contact us at info@wasrag.org if you need help with your posting.
WASH Resources Here are some great WASH resources that you might find useful! :
Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology
Faecal Sludge Management - Practical Action in South Asia
WASRAG - The Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (WASRAG) was formed in 2007 by a group of Rotarians, recognized by Rotary International, and focused on WASH projects. Since then it has facilitated many hundreds of projects – helping clubs find partners, ensuring sustainability, stressing the importance of a needs-driven approach, and developing best practices. We encourage a holistic, integrated approach in which water is not the end in itself, but is rather the means to a better life and livelihood in the community. Most importantly, WASRAG links water and sanitation to improved hygiene, better health, and empowerment of the community – especially women, irrigation and agriculture, education and literacy and, ultimately, child mortality.
Vision Statement - Health, education and prosperity for all through safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
Mission Statement - Providing human, technical and financial support to Rotary clubs and districts seeking to help communities to gain sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene.
WASRAG Goals:
Access and connect with experts in WASH
Provide technical guides for all stages of WASH projects including program life cycle
Seek funding outside the Rotary domain to complement internal resources
Facilitate connections with other organizations sharing Rotary goals
Alert Rotarians to the availability of expertise and financial resources
Identify and share Rotary and other resources available to Rotarians.
Assist and enable clubs to seek support from other clubs, from The Rotary Foundation and beyond Rotary
Ensure clubs can learn of the needs of other clubs
Maintain and build a collaborative working relationship with Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation
Implement appropriate processes to monitor and evaluate the impact , efficacy and sustainability of Rotary projects and programs
Facilitate the exchange of idea and information