Newsletter

July & August 2014

Poor Sanitation Affects Even Well-Fed Children

A recent New York Times article pointed to malnourishment of children caused not by lack of food, but by poor sanitation! Malnourishment, which causes childhood stunting, may, new research shows, be caused by too much human waste polluting soil and water, rather than simply by scarce food. "Unicef officials and those from other major charitable organizations said in interviews that they believe that poor sanitation may cause more than half of the world's stunting problems." Read More...

Rotary Club seeks partners

The Rotary Club of Maseno, Kenya (D9212) has a plan. The Rakwaro Kalem community exists in poverty, despair and starvation - there is no farming, no other humanitarian organization has ventured here before. Children walk 10 kms to school, but during the rain and floods it is too dangerous, so they stay at home. There are many needs: drilled water, fish ponds, kindergarten, HIV/AIDs awareness, information technology, orphaned children and greenhouses for starters. Read the project proposal or contact Richard Onono, Club Secretary.

WASH Support in the Philippines

Water Missions Int'l, a non-profit Christian organization located in Charleston, SC, offers to work with Rotary Clubs to help transition emergency WASH response to hurricane Yolanda to permanent solutions. To learn more, please check out our blog or

contact Jay Cook, WMI's Director of Operations.

Upcoming Training Events:

1. Introduction to Low Cost Sanitation: September 25 - 28, Clarkston, MI, USA. Training provided by CAWST and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Troy, Michigan. For more information see flyer, or email.

2. From a post in the Wasrag Forum: Technical Training in Water and Sanitation Infrastructure / 08-13 September 2014 / Madagascar. The training is a broad, intense 6-day course with a heavy practical bias, providing a rare opportunity to learn through both theoretical and hands-on practical sessions. More information...

Walking for Water - It's That Time Again!

Walking for Water is an annual initiative for schoolchildren aged 10-15 years to learn about the importance of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, and how many still lack these basic needs. The kids raise funds through sponsorship by friends and family to walk 6 kms with 6 liters of water in a backpack (the average distance their peers walk each day to get water, often at the expense of going to school). The funds support a project of their school's choice (from the site). The students can track online and see the impact they make in the lives of their peers.

House of Friendship - Sydney

Wasrag's Booth in the House of Friendship was well attended and we had the opportunity share WASH experiences with many Rotarians. Visitors to the booth dropped their business cards into a draw for an official "Light Up Rotary" necktie. We are delighted to announce that the winner is Rotarian (and Wasrag member) Padma Shrestha of Kathmandu, Nepal. Congratulations Padma! Your tie is in the mail!

Toilets, Girls, and Violence

A recent posting on the Asian Development blog highlights the dangers to girls of open defecation. The blog entry shares the story of two girls who went to find a discrete place to relieve themselves and never returned. They were found raped and hanged from a mango tree on the village outskirts. Improved sanitation provides not only better health, but can help to address issues of sexual harassment, abuse and violence faced by women and girls. Read More...

UK Rotary Clubs Partner with WaterAid

WaterAid is currently running a campaign in the UK called 'To Be A Girl'. It is supported by UK Aid (Dept for International Development). For every �1 donated by Rotary clubs and other organisations they will double donations (made before September 9, 2014). UK Rotary Clubs: Please consider supporting this wonderful initiative! For more information contact Rotarian Tom Drake.

1st Rotary/UNESCO-IHE Graduates

The first class of five Rotary sponsored scholars graduated in April 2014 with Master of Science degrees in water education from the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. The graduates have returned home and are applying their education to water and sanitation projects in their home countries of Argentina, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Ghana. Rotary Clubs should seek them out and involve them with WASH work! Read More...

Study Highlights Agricultural Water Saving Benefits

New agricultural methods and technologies can save governments millions and conserve vital natural resources. " A shift in agricultural policy to encourage crop diversification and use of new water and energy saving technologies could save millions of hectare-metres (ha m) of water annually, as well as millions of dollars in energy costs, finds a new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partner food security study." Read More...

New Projects...

We love hearing about your projects and are delighted to relay these great opportunities for Rotarians to get involved in WASH projects! When posting your projects on the Wasrag website, please remember to include the name of your Rotary club and District number. Contact us at info@wasrag.org if you need help with your posting.

Wasrag needs your membership. Membership revenue helps cover our administrative costs, website upgrades, training, development of support materials etc. To check whether your membership has expired, email Anna. To become a member, simply click on the button.

Interested in Upcoming Events?
Click here to see the Calendar. To submit items for the calendar, please email info@wasrag.org

To submit stories and pictures for our newsletter, please email marcom@startwithwater.org

*The Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group (Wasrag) is pleased to consider partnerships with any corporate supporter. Due to the unique attributes of water sources and water provision, acceptance of corporate support does not imply an endorsement of any particular water technology. Rotarians, Rotary clubs, and Rotary partners must evaluate any technology to determine if it is the best solution for the conditions where the program will be implemented. Wasrag can provide guidance about where different technologies work best, but Rotarians and Rotary clubs must make the final decision about how to implement their programs.

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The Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group is a group of Rotarians whose purpose is to support Rotary clubs to effectively plan, finance, implement, monitor and evaluate water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, where they are most needed in a collaborative, cost-effective, timely, and sustainable manner, true to the principles of Rotary International. Wasrag operates in accordance with Rotary International policy but is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International.