NEWS:
Learn more about Rotary success in the WASRAG stories.
June 1 - 8:30 am - WASRAG Annual Meeting - 8:30 -10:00 am
Register here to attend WASRAG Annual General Meeting
June 2 - 7:00 pm - Hamburg Harbor Beer and Food Cruise
Convention Breakout Sessions:
June 3 - 1:00 pm - Achieving Lasting Impact from WASH
June 4 - 1:00 pm - Success Stories of WASH in Schools
June 5 - 1:00 pm - Menstrual Hygiene: Manage it Well
Oct 15, 2019 - GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY: https://globalhandwashing.org
Jumping for Safe Water: Carolyn Meub, Past District Governor and former WASRAG Board Member, recently announced her retirement as Executive Director of Pure Water for the World.(PWW). To mark her retirement and to commemorate the 20 year Anniversary of PWW, Carolyn, and up to 30 fellow Rotarians, are going to skydive on June 29. They are using this as a fundraiser and plan to raise $100,000 towards safe water projects in Haiti and Honduras. If you would like to sponsor Carolyn on this unique fundraiser go to www.jumpforsafewater.com.
First Global Report on WASH in HCF: The WHO and UNICEF recently released the first comprehensive report on WASH in Healthcare Facilities (HCF). The report summarizes data from over 500,000 facilities in 125 countries. The key messages are:
2 Billion people use HCF that lack basic water
1.5 billion people use HCF with no sanitation
43% of HCF do not have adequate hand hygiene
17 million women give birth in HCF with inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene
Beyond Water: Sharon and Peter Crean started the non-profit Beyond Water Global over ten years ago. Based out of Australia and New Zealand they are active in WASH projects in East Africa. They are interested in talking to Rotary Clubs about their Projects, whether it is drilling wells in Kenya, building toilets at schools, or the Girl Project, that provides sanitary napkins they have many stories to tell and are interested in partnering with Rotary clubs on projects
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.