WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ROTARY AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF TORONTO?
by David Libby
World Water Day has been held on March 22nd every year since 1993. The day is also an annual UN observance day used to advocate for the sustainable management of fresh water resources, the majority of which are owned by Canada which has 20% of the World’s supply, the second largest amount after Brazil.
March is also Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) month in Rotary which is one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus, to celebrate water and raise the awareness of the 2.2 billion people worldwide without access to safe water. This lack of access to safe water includes 22 Indigenous communities in the Province of Ontario and more throughout Canada which have been on boiled water advisories for periods of up to 20 years.
Rotary International's focus on water has been spearheaded by the WASH Rotary Action Group since 2007. The WASH group supports Rotarians and Rotaractors in their efforts to effectively plan, finance, implement, monitor and evaluate sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene projects where they are most needed around the World in a collaborative, cost effective and timely manner by providing reliable planning and alternative resources of matching funds and technical support.Since 2009 Rotary has also partnered with USAID on WASH projects.
In 2018 The Rotary Foundation awarded over US$18 million to clean water initiatives. Some specific Rotary projects that made long lasting impacts;
Guatemala; Rotary Clubs improved conditions in 10 schools in Escuintla providing toilets, washing stations, water tanks and training for 1,793 pupils
In Kigogo, Tanzania, Rotary Clubs established a water supply and delivery system for 1500 people.
In the Philippines Rotary and Partners built 22 toilets, serving 1000 people, six rain water collectors, seven communal handwashing stations and 20 biosand filters to supply 600 people with clean water supplies.
In recent years The Rotary Club of Toronto through the International Service and Indigenous Service Committee has supported the following projects:
International Service - Hope School Kenya has been able to connect to municipal water with piping and two 5,000 litre tanks. It has also received a rainwater collection system of eaves and holding tank for additional supply.
Rural Mumbai India Schools where new toilets for girls and hand washing stations have been provided for 14 schools through two Global Grants supported by 16 Rotary Clubs.
Indigenous Service - supporting Water First (Ontario) with financial support for internees to undergo water treatment plant and environmental training to support community treatment facilities. The committee also investigated a grant to install water and waste water systems in 10 houses in Pikangikum, a boiled water community in NW Ontario.
