WASH Rotary Action Group

🚻 A Toilet Is Not Just a Facility — It Is a Right, a Matter of Health, Dignity, and Education.

Our WASH Ambassador from Nepal has supported the construction of a WHO-standard, 5-room, disability-friendly toilet facility at a school in Katari Municipality, providing a safe and dignified sanitation environment for more than 400 students who previously lacked proper toilet facilities.

But this is only one example of a much bigger challenge. Across Nepal, thousands of school children continue to study without adequate, safe, and hygienic toilets. Many schools still face insufficient sanitation facilities, creating serious risks to children’s health, dignity, and education.

The impact is greatest on girls, young children, and students with disabilities, who often struggle the most when proper sanitation is unavailable. Poor sanitation contributes to waterborne diseases, absenteeism, and unsafe learning environments.

Through WASH initiatives, we are working to ensure that every child has access to:
✅ Safe and hygienic toilets
✅ Disability-friendly sanitation facilities
✅ A healthier learning environment
✅ The dignity every child deserves

Building toilets means building healthier communities and protecting the future of our children.

The WASH Rotary Action Group (WASH-RAG) proudly congratulates Ron Denham, PDG D-7070, founding Chair and Director of WASH-RAG, on receiving the Ontario Volunteer Service Award in recognition of his remarkable 60 years of dedicated service through Rotary.

Ron’s visionary leadership has played a vital role in advancing Rotary’s commitment to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) worldwide. Through WASH-RAG, he has inspired Rotary clubs, partners, and communities to create sustainable solutions that improve health, dignity, and quality of life for millions.

His recognition reflects a lifetime of Service Above Self, demonstrating the power of committed volunteer leadership to transform communities.

Congratulations, Ron, and thank you for your extraordinary contribution to the global WASH movement.

— WASH Rotary Action Group (WASH-RAG)

WASH-RAG was present in the House of Friendship with a Booth during Rotterdam Action Summit

International water specialists, institutional partners, and Rotary district leaders gathered for the WASH Action Conference, an essential summit dedicated to advancing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives worldwide. Focused on actionable strategies and cross-sector partnerships, the conference highlighted the critical role of sustainable infrastructure and community empowerment under Rotary’s core area of focus: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).
The proceedings opened with an engaging video presentation titled "It All Starts with WASH," setting a purpose-driven tone for the sessions that followed. S.N. Srikanth, Chair of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Rotary Action Group (WASH-RAG), delivered the opening address alongside a featured presentation video. Srikanth emphasized the pivotal role of WASH-RAG in bridging technical expertise with grassroots club initiatives, urging district leaders to systematically integrate sustainable WASH objectives into their annual district programming.
High-Level Insights on Capacity Building and Scaling Impact
The conference featured keynote interventions from internationally recognized institutional leaders:
* Toine Ramaker, CEO of VEI, shared key insights into Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs), detailing how peer-to-peer collaboration between established water utilities drives long-term operational resilience and expands clean water access in developing regions.
* Han de Groot of the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education underlined the urgent global demand for qualified water specialists. De Groot underscored the vital impact of Rotary Foundation scholarships and sponsorships in educating graduate water professionals who return to lead essential projects in their home nations.
* District Governor Ben Ewals, widely recognized as "the Water Governor," presented practical frameworks on how his district structures and executes WASH initiatives, demonstrating how clubs can leverage WASH-RAG’s network to maximize project sustainability.
* Dr. Reem Abd El Meguid, advisor to UN agencies and Egyptian government ministries on ESG strategy and climate adaptation, addressed the necessity of Programs of Scale. Dr. Abd El Meguid underscored that achieving enduring systemic change requires deep engagement with national ministries and institutional alignment with global climate goals.
Strategic Panel Deliberations on the Future of WASH
The conference culminated in a dynamic panel discussion featuring VEI CEO Toine Ramaker, DG Ben Ewals, and Han de Groot, moderated by Past District Governor Kathleen Van Rysseghem (Region 22 Rotary Foundation Coordinator 2022–2025).
The panelists explored actionable pathways to scale local service projects into multi-stakeholder regional initiatives, focusing on long-term stewardship, technical training, and collaborative funding models. Participants left the session equipped with strategic frameworks to drive sustainable, life-saving water solutions in communities around the globe.

WASH-RAG Chair S.N Srikanth, Board Member Bas Hendriksen, along with RI President Yinka, General Secretary John Hewko, RI Directors Harriette Verwey, Emmanuel Katongole and a few others had a Meeting with the IHE Delft in the Netherlands on September 11.

IHE is one of the most reputed education and training institutions for water and sanitation in the world. Discussed about collaboration between WASH-RAG and Rotary with IHE and also bilateral relationship possibilities between WASH-RAG and IHE

Restoring Dignity Through WASH: Serving Communities in Crisis

Our WASH Ambassador Ranjeev Shrestha from Rotary International District 3292 is leading major relief and recovery initiatives for the devastating Nepal–Tibet floods and landslides in coordination with Rotary Clubs from Nepal and around the world, Disaster Aid International, and other humanitarian partners.

In times of disaster, access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene becomes a matter of survival. Damaged water systems, destroyed toilets, and poor hygiene conditions put affected families at high risk of disease and further hardship.

The urgent WASH needs include:

Restoration of damaged drinking water systems
Safe water solutions through household water filters
Temporary toilets and sanitation facilities for displaced families
Hygiene kits and awareness support
WASH facilities for schools and vulnerable communities

As Ranjeev Shrestha highlights, disaster recovery is not only about rebuilding homes — it is about protecting health, restoring dignity, and creating safe living conditions for every affected family.

With the collective strength of Rotary, Disaster Aid International, Rotary WASH Action Group, and humanitarian partners, we are committed to bringing clean water, sanitation, and hope to communities when they need it most.

Together, we serve. Together, we restore dignity. Together, we rebuild lives. 💧🇳🇵

The Rotary Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Action Group (WASH-RAG/WASHRAH) stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by the devastating disaster. May those who have lost loved ones find strength, and may the affected communities receive the support needed to recover and rebuild.

Together, through compassion, service, and solidarity, we stand with Nepal. 🙏💙

🍻💙 WASH-RAG sincerely thanks the members of the Beers Rotarians Enjoy Worldwide (BREW) Fellowship for their generous support. Through the BREW Lifetime Membership initiative, contributions to WASH-RAG help bring clean water, sanitation, and hope to communities worldwide.

Together, fellowship and service are creating lasting impact.

Here's a shorter version suitable for a Facebook post from WASH Rotary Action Group:

💧 WASH Rotary Action Group proudly celebrates the handover of the Dhakalthok Drinking Water Project in Nepal under Global Grant GG2570330.

This life-changing initiative now provides safe and sustainable water access to 70 households and a local school through a comprehensive water system, including a 50,000-liter collection tank and 70 taps.

A true example of global partnership between Rotary Club of Dhulikhel, Rotary Club of Springfield (USA), District 6460, and WASH-RAG. Special thanks to WASH Ambassador Ranjeev Shrestha for his leadership in making this vision a reality.

Clean water means better health, dignity, and opportunity for the entire community. 💙