Nine years ago, noted Canadian clean water scientist Robert Dell and Canadian missionary Fraser Edwards were horrified on a visit to Africa, to find the water contamination problem so widespread. Their solution was to use ultraviolet radiation from the sun to sterilize water in countries near the equator. It required leaving water jugs out in the sun for two days. Their plan had a twist. It was to use the most affected citizens – young school children - to implement it.
At the H2O School as they called it, youngsters were taught how to place contaminated water bottles out in the sun for two days, use them and replace them. Instead of being part of the problem, they became part of the solution.
On a trip to Uganda and Kenya in 2007, Red Deer Rotarian Glenn Moore learned of the project. It’s simplicity caught his attention. Back in Alberta, he invited Dell and Edwards to make a presentation to the Rotary Club of Red Deer. Intrigued, Club colleague Bill Olafson took what would have been the usual referral to the funding committee, to another level. He expounded the virtues of the project and offered to kick start it with a $5,000 donation. Then he challenged club members to match him. Within 5 minutes he had raised $100,000. Moore’s church dedicated its Christmas Eve collection to the project, adding another $32,000. The government of Alberta contributed $25,000. All the proceeds were doubled by the Rotary Foundation, as both Southern Alberta and Uganda were RI pilot project Districts. The project was underway.
By the end of 2007 there were 204 households and 3 schools using the sun sterilizing water process. The results were soon apparent. Amongst the youngsters in school, diarrhea, dysentery and typhoid dropped dramatically. When the pediatric wing of the local hospital became empty, it was converted into a school.
Moore spoke about the program at the Birmingham Convention in 2009, highlighting its sustainable nature, rapid growth, focus on youngsters and environmental benefits.
To improve hygiene 2500 plastic water bottles (Tippy taps) were given to families to wash their hands, especially before and after toileting. 1000 Pit latrines were built. Harvesting rain water began, reducing the daily 3 hour trip to get water. Overall admissions to nearby hospitals from water born diseases have dropped by 50%; school attendance has increased 17%, and latrine coverage by 15%. Now there are over 40,000 households and 80 schools in the program. The retention rate after 1 year remains high at 86%.
To raise awareness and funds, Moore joined a team from all parts of the globe to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in March 2010. The H2O School Uganda project received the “Climb for Clean Water” proceeds of over $200,000.
In 2007 the London based STARS Foundation, and its sponsors Bill and Melinda Gates, the Manchester Guardian, and many others, established the Impact Awards of $100,000 each, for the best front-line projects in Africa and Asia that improved child health, education and security.
In December 2013 the H2O School was selected the winner from 1300 applications. Project Director Zapha Mukalere received the WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) section Award from Queen Rania of Jordan at a ceremony at Kensington Palace. The Award was supplemented with a $20,000 grant to promote the project.
As founding patron Bill Clinton acknowledged, “to make the greatest impact on society requires first and foremost a great organization”
The H2O School organization has become one such organization.
Robert Lampard, Rotary Club of Red Deer
- See more at: http://rotary5360.ca/stories/%28more%29-stars-for-rotary/#sthash.Inz5ZN1m.dpuf
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