Water and Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASH)
WASH COMMITTEE
The WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) Committee is part of the International WASH Rotary Action Group (WASHRAG) which is an ever-growing organization with 1,500 members across 80+ countries. It was formed in 2007 by a group of Rotarians. It has facilitated many hundreds of projects. A holistic, integrated approach is encouraged where water is the means to a better life and livelihood in the community. WASHRAG links water and sanitation to improved hygiene, better health, and empowerment of the community—especially women, irrigation and agriculture, education and literacy and, ultimately, child mortality. Our club, at the present time, seeks Club to Club and District Projects where we partner with an international Rotary Club and share in the financing and monitoring of the project.
Latest news from our WASH Committee, published Sept. 4, 2021
LOCAL ROTARY CLUB PARTNERS WITH NIGERIA
The Rotary Club of Pleasanton reached out to Nigeria to financially help with constructing 4 toilets at the Amator Secondary School in Abia State. The school has approximately 350 students and 15 staff with no toilet facilities available. The Pleasanton club partnered with the Rotary Club of Eziama-Sunrise with their club donating $2,000 and the Pleasanton club donating $8,000. The project began in May, 2021 and will be completed September 10, 2021.
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This school did not have toilet facilities like most schools in Abia State. Open defecation has been a common practice and poses a lot of health challenges to staff, students and community members. Fecal, sanitation and
 hygiene related diseases are common in their community which means increasing absenteeism of staff and students. There are also the challenges associated to menstrual cycles for female staff and students. The school learning environment was threatened due to offensive odors and other forms of air pollition. These factors were the basis for this project.According to the Water and Sanitation and Hygiene Projects Committee (WASH) there are 2.5 billion people in the world who lack access to improved sanitation. There are 1400 children who die DAILY from diseases caused by lack of sanitation and unsafe water.
The Rotary Club of Pleasanton is proud to be a part of the WASH Rotary Action Group which will continue to partner with international Rotary Clubs to bring safe drinking water, toilets and proper hygiene education to areas that need their help.
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