from The Rotary Club of Halifax North West
Welcome to the monthly newsletter from the Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest, where we share the club’s and Rotary’s news and activities with the communities we serve. This issue highlights Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, one of Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus.
According to UNICEF figures nearly 2 billion people lack access to basic sanitation facilities. Poor sanitation is linked to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. It can also undermine the growth and development of children. At least 10% of the world’s population is estimated by the World Health Organization to consume food irrigated by untreated wastewater. Each year, roughly 300,000 children under the age of five die from preventable water and sanitation-related diarrheal diseases. Since the need is so great, Rotary is continuously leading projects involving Water and Sanitation. But we do our best to help communities on their terms. Rotary works with residents to determine what technology and education is most appropriate, and to explore several options. We avoid telling a community what sanitation solutions it needs. Teaching that uses only methods such as lectures or informational pamphlets is rarely successful. Fully subsidizing or donating toilet facilities to households, especially if a local market for sanitation is developing in the region, can undermine the growth of local sanitation businesses. In some cases, Rotary takes the strategic approach and focuses on watershed protection and restoration measures to improve water quality and quantity.
Our annual Rotary Adventure Club fundraiser allows us to do what Rotarians do best, namely to serve our community, whether local or global. The 2024 version launches this month, starting with an early-bird draw on March 12th for a trip to Orlando valued at $2,500. April through September we draw for a trip a month, including Las Vegas ($3000), Cuba ($4200), Costa Rica ($4200), Spain ($5200), Portugal ($5700) and an Alaskan Cruise ($7000). All trips are for two people and include return airfare from Halifax and $500 spending money. The winner gets a voucher which can be used within three years for the trip, or with which another trip can be negotiated with the travel agent. If winners don’t not want to travel, they can take 85% of the value of the trip. That’s not all! Each month we draw for four $100 prizes, so you can win the price of your ticket! To join and for more information, go to: https://rotaryadventureclub.ca.
Our Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest welcomes everyone to explore community service with us! We pride ourselves on being diverse and inclusive – and we’re friendly! We currently meet every Tuesday from 1145 to 1 pm. at Smitty’s at 362 Lacewood Drive. For more information contact Roger Chiasson at rogerchiasson305@gmail.com or 782 234 9408.
