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February 10th, 2011
Friends,
Rotary needs your help - to bring safe water and sanitation to the people of Ghana!
I
have just returned from a week in Ghana where Rotarians from 16 of the
clubs in that country, with support from their international partner,
D-7630, are implementing a huge program to bring safe water and sanitation to over 87,000 people in 116 villages.
The
need is great. In one village the source of water is a polluted pond
alive with numerous organisms. Another is a stagnant pond overgrown
with algae. At a school the community toilet is a long unprotected pit,
open for everyone to see, with wooden laths on which people squat when
defecating. The stench of human excrement is suffocating. No child
should have to endure such appalling conditions. Seldom, in my millions
of miles of travel, have I seen such inhuman conditions.
Fortunately
the Rotary clubs of Accra and Tema are tackling the problem. They are
managing a program to sink boreholes in villages, build water closets in
major street markets, and build VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit) latrines
for the schools in needy communities.
This
is all part of the US AID/Rotary International H2O Collaboration, a
program in which US AID contributes $1 million, The Rotary Foundation
$500,000, and Rotarians around the world an additional $500,000. For
each dollar contribute in either cash or DDF, The Rotary Foundation
matches your dollar, and USAID matches those $2 - turning your $1
contribution into $4 for program activities in Ghana.
And, the impact on the beneficiaries is huge: less diarrhea, fewer
child deaths, and better attendance in school, as children are freed
from the chore of hauling water and girls from the fear of going to
school during their menstrual period.
US
AID has made its commitment of $1 million. TRF has approved its share.
But Rotary clubs and districts are falling behind. We need $230,000 to
meet our promise.
This opportunity should appeal to every Rotarian, to every Rotary club and district:
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The magic of matching means that every $1 contributed becomes $4 dollars.
Each dollar you contribute is matched by TRF. In turn those $2 are matched by USAID
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All contributions qualify for a Paul Harris credit.
·
Cash and DDF contributions are accepted. Information is available on the
following links: INSTRUCTIONS and a DDF Authorization Form FORM
This
is a pilot program. It is a test of how Rotary can create effective,
sustainable partnerships with other organizations who share our goals.
We are learning how to become a big player in water and sanitation. In
the words of President Klinginsmith, we are learning how to become
"Bigger, Better and Bolder."
The
host Rotary clubs have done a lot. They have fostered an outstanding
relationship with the US AID Mission. They are working closely with the
Community Water & Sanitation Agency and its local offices.
Villages and schools are "onside." They have formed water and sanitation
committees who will be trained to operate and maintain the new
facilities. Everything is in place to ensure a truly sustainable
program. It remains for us - Rotarians and Rotary clubs around the
world - to show that Rotary is a truly international humanitarian
organization capable of teaming up with the best.
Please contact RI/USAID Alliance Project Manager Amanda Robertson at amanda.robertson@rotary.org or 847-866-3412 tomorrow
to pledge your support for this exciting and innovative program. You
will be playing a key role in helping Rotarians to provide the gifts of
clean water and safe sanitation to over 120 communities in Ghana.
Yours in Rotary
Ron Denham PDG,
Member, Steering Committee,
Rotary/US AID International H2O Collaboration
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