How Can District Grants Be Used Beyond Borders?

Posted by Kristine David, DG 2015-16, DRFC 2018-2021 EPNC 2021-2023
The Rotary Clubs of East Greenwich, Providence and Wakefield in district 7950 collaborated with the Rotary Club of Pursat, Cambodia in district 3350 to address environmental needs and bring clean water to students at the Preah Theat Primary School during the global pandemic. The school, located 22 kilometers from Pursat, has 376 student (176 girls) and 15 teachers. The district grant project increased the students access to clean water, improved trash management, access to latrines and hand washing stations, and provided education to the students on dental, hand washing and menstrual hygiene.
Members of the Rotary club of Pursat oversaw all aspects of the grant project including meeting with the school principal, four village chiefs, teachers, and parents so they fully understand the projects objectives and how they would need to maintain all the equipment once the project was completed. The project included installation of a garbage incinerator to burn plastic wastes in a more efficient way and leaving less smoke pollution; a large biosand filter system that could produce 2,000 liters of clean water per day; three latrines; and the installation of a handwashing station with mirrors in front of the latrines so students can clean their hands after using the toilet.
A ramp was built for accessibility to the latrine for handicapped students. Hygiene supplies were purchased for the school that included soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste for dental care. Each student was provided with toothbrushes and toothpaste to encourage dental hygiene. Menstrual hygiene kits were provided to the girls by “Days for Girls.”  Kits can be cleaned, so girls may use them each month, thus allowing them to come to school during their menstrual cycle.
WASH training for the teachers focused on school latrine usage and maintenance, hand washing and waste management using the incinerator. Each student was provided with toothbrushes, toothpaste to encourage dental hygiene. Equipped with knowledge from the training, the teachers will teach the students and reinforce the WASH training in their classes. Follow-up training will be provided to ensure that everyone in the school will maintain the equipment and improve sanitation and hygiene skills.
 
 
 
 
Collaborating beyond the borders of our own immediate communities using district grant funds increased the members of all the clubs involved to work together to make a significant impact for the children in a distance community they may never visit. The Rotary Club of Pursat provided the clubs with a thorough report on the project so that all the members of clubs involved could see the results of the project.
This resulted in members of all three clubs to understanding the power of the SHARE system and how clubs can increase their reach by collaborating on a district grant project.