In Uganda, 1 in 4 people lack access to clean, safe water. Women and children will walk on average 3km, and spend 6 hours a day fetching dirty water. Then entire families will often catch Typhoid Fever from the dirty water, costing them months of wages for medicine along with lost time at school or working. Tsawwassen Rotarian Yvonne Anderson, spoke about a clean water program in Uganda which multiple Rotary clubs as well as The Rotary Foundation, through a global grant, could sponsor to lift up the lives of girls and women and all family members in a community, not only in terms of health, but economic productivity and well being.
The Rotary Foundation has been changing the world by providing grants for projects and activities around the globe. In the past 10 years, for instance, the Foundation has invested in more than US$130 million for over 2000 projects worldwide, enabling Rotary members, as volunteer people of action, to improve access to safely managed and basic WASH services to communities, schools and healthcare facilities, while protecting and conserving water resources.
Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. 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. Through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change.
Yvonne Anderson is CEO and co-founder of Santevia Water Systems, in Delta, BC. Santevia Water Systems manufactures and distributes healthy and sustainable home water filtration systems. Yvonne says Santevia creates healthy, sustainable water solutions and is committed to giving back. Water, she says, can change people's lives, at home and throughout the world. Santevia has clients across Canada and beyond and gives back through international water project work. |  |
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| Rotarians in Uganda administering local water projects | Past President Denis Denischuk (l) and President Guillermo Bustos thank Yvonne Anderson |