As I’m sitting in my office, looking out on all this snow and ice, I am reminded that I live a very blessed life. Living in the mid-West is amazing, isn’t it?
As an example, we have clean, safe water. Simple. We have safe and clean water.
It’s hard for us to imagine that statement would not be true. However, there are many places on our Earth where that statement is absolutely the farthest thing from the truth.
Did you know that when people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families? I cannot really understand what it would be like to have to haul water daily just to be able to cook a meal, clean my children or simply have a drink of water. How simple that we can turn on a faucet.
March is Water and Sanitation month in our Rotary world. The Rotary Foundation has made it possible for Rotarians to make a difference through our WASH programs (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene).
Just a few examples: 1) In Lebanon, ALL 24 Rotary clubs put together a group of partners that now delivers clean water to every public school in the country. 2) Over 4,000 people now have access to clean water in India, thanks to Rotarians and other local organizations for installing a rain water harvesting system. 3) A WASH project in Guatemala improved conditions for 1,800 children in 10 schools by providing toilets, washing stations, water tanks and training about good hygiene.
This is just the tip of the iceberg! I encourage you to go to rotary.org to really get a good idea of what your donation to The Rotary Foundation and your good works in our world look like.
Have a happy March!
DG Julie