Rotarians join together to do good in the world

>> ROTARY PROVIDES CLEAN WATER FOR 35,000 STUDENTS IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

In Dar es Salaam, capital of Tanzania, 15,000 school children in primary and secondary schools are celebrating the arrival of clean water and improved sanitation. Another 20,000 soon will join them.

The Tanzanian government has been able to build enough classrooms to permit enrollment of all 6 year olds, but has not be able to provide water for the schools. Rotary Clubs in Dar es Salaam were asked by the schools and local authorities to assist. With no access to clean water, students were suffering from chronic diarrhea and dehydration and frequent outbreaks of cholera.

The six Dar es Salaam Rotary clubs, with $ 90,000 raised during a 2010 marathon and working with the NGO WaterAID, were able to fund clean water for 5 schools and a village.

In 2011, the Rotary Club of Vancouver, the six Rotary Clubs of Dar es Salaam and more recently the Rotary Club of Tokyo Setagaya South engaged in a $ 200,000 two - year project designed to equip 20 Dar es Salaam schools with clean water and improved sanitation. Since August 2012, 8 schools have been connected to the city water supply. Water purification equipment has been installed as have drinking and hand- washing stands and taps in each lavatory. School staff, students and school board members are being trained on maintenance and on improved hygiene. The remaining 12 schools will be supplied with water by December 2013.

Clean water in the schools will result in better health, increased attendance and, accordingly, more advancement of students to secondary and University education. Girls no longer will need to stay at home during their periods.

Three Vancouver Rotarians visited Dar es Salaam in September 2012 to participate in the joyous inauguration of the water supply in the first three schools ( see photos). The ceremony took place in the presence of local District and school authorities, students and the media and included performances of celebratory songs and dances by the students. This is a great example of how Rotarians join up together to do good in the world.