Rotarians have always been concerned about urban and community health, way before the dreadful Coronavirus necessitated a global emphasis on incessant hand washing. Through The Rotary Foundation (TRF), Rotarians have supported projects aimed at improving water purification, hygiene education, latrine construction and waste management all over the world. Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is a new project being undertaken by members of District 7910, comprising Rotary Clubs from Central Massachusetts and Metro West. Twenty-one volunteers are heading to Guatemala for a 7-day WASH mission on a project funded by a $318,000 Global Grant from TRF. Twenty-three primary schools in nine communities in Guatemala will benefit from this global grant. The grant will provide a comprehensive hygiene and menstrual education for both students and teachers. In addition, the grant will fund wash stations, adequate toilets, bathrooms, and safe water for drinking and cooking school meals.
The WASH project in Guatemala is hosted by the Rotary Club of Nueva Guatemala, with participation by Rotary Clubs in Canada and The United States; and with the collaboration of four Guatemalan organizations. Speaking about the project, the Past District Governor and Chair of the District 7910 Foundation Committee, Steve Sager, explained that “working on international service projects like this is one of the best aspects of belonging to Rotary - come to help communities that seem disadvantaged by our standards, but we end up helping ourselves, making lifelong friends, and doing our part to make the world a better place.”
Since 2013, The Rotary Foundation has invested in more than 1,000 WASH projects in more than 100 countries through its global grants.
