HANWASH 

 

Rotarians maximize the impact of our service projects by including them in ongoing programs. Such is the success of The Haiti National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative. PRIP Barry Rassin, District 7020 and the Haitian water and sanitation authority met in 2018 to organize a program with a goal of providing potable water in Haiti, then served to only 43% of rural residents. The Initiative is a long-term, multi-stakeholder effort whose vision is to bring water, sanitation, and hygiene education (“WASH”) to all Haitians. Initial partners incorporated Hanwash, Inc. (“Hanwash”) to act as a “coordinating organization” through The Rotary Foundation. Hanwash works with Haitian Rotary Clubs, international Rotary partners, and the Haitian government in WASH projects targeting five Haitian communes. 

 

The communes in our pilot program are Cavaillon, Ferrier, Leogane, Pignon, and Terre Neuve. Hanwash has coordinated infrastructure valued at USD $2,583,834, impacting 26,615 lives. That means $98 can improve the WASH life of an individual. Hanwash lets contracts for drilling water wells and installing water distribution systems, and we educate, set goals, and monitor and evaluate projects. We begin with WASH education to improve hygiene in communes before installing water service. Next, we develop a baseline study to determine what wells and water systems exist, whether they function, and where our next work will best impact the lives of Haitians. Contractors and staff enter data into an mWater software program. We engage commune officials to make sure each project is locally run and maintained. We develop community action planning tools. Local Rotary Clubs engage us to assist with global grant projects. We also offer an Adopt-a-Well program through which individuals, Clubs and Districts can fund specific water wells. Monies also come from a donor-advised fund, USAID, and individual donors. We gratefully accept small donations.

 

Our mission aligns stakeholders to a set of Core Values and commercial principles. This alignment enhances local capacity, delivers value, and ensures sustainability of WASH investments. Our five Core Values are: (1) local leadership and decision-making, (2) collaboration with partners and volunteers, (3) planning and continuous improvement, (4) sustainable impact, and (5) long-term commitment. Principles include (a) a pay-for-service approach to drinking water, (b) competitive procurement of contracts, and (c) management of conflicts of interest. Rotarians serve in operations with paid personnel to run HANWASH and oversee WASH investments. Rotarians also serve on our Board of Directors, managing an executive director. We build rapport with stakeholders by engaging Haitians as directors, project managers, and contractors.

 

Please join us. Perhaps you can help on one of our subcommittees: (1) Finance, Legal & Administration, (2) Haiti Liaison, (3) Champion Partnerships, (4) Projects Support, (5) Marketing & Donor Relations, (6) District 7020 Engagement, and (7) Monitoring & Evaluation. We seek skilled volunteers and Rotarians with relationships that can result in financial development. Maybe you can help increase our impact!

 

Learn more by contacting Bob Hobaugh at rotarianbob@hometownu.biz