This week at the Rotary Club of Newport News, we learned about HANWASH (Haiti National Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy) and its mission to establish a collaborative national initiative to provide thoughtfully managed sustainable clean water and sanitation to all the citizens of Haiti. This initiative is led by Rotary International District 7020 and DINEPA (the Haitian Government’s National Directorate for Water Supply and Sanitation), along with other non-governmental organization (NGO) partners, such as Haiti Outreach and Pure Water for the World. Our District (7600) also supports the mission to develop and implement business-based best practices for public and private collaborations to build capacity in local communities to deliver drinking water and sanitation to all citizens of Haiti.
Currently, HANWASH is working in seven communities throughout the country. In rural and urban areas, which are home to 770,000 people. HANWASH is investing $400,000 in a mentorship/training program for Haitian engineers and identifying hiring companies to create opportunities to stem the brain drain. Long-term, they strive to see a healthier labor pool and a WASH sector less dependent on foreign firms.
There are many great reasons for being a Rotarian. Contributing to making the world a better place, globally and locally, is often the most rewarding for the 1.4 million Rotarians around the globe. Rotary volunteers 47 million hours and funds $333 million in sustainable projects annually.
You’re invited to join us for an upcoming lunch if you want to get more involved with Newport News and improve the community. We meet every Tuesday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the James River Country Club.
We want to know if you own or manage a local establishment in Newport News and would like to host our club for a future social event! If you want to recommend a service project, let us know. Finally, if you want to speak at our club, you can apply to speak here.
