Dear District 5150 Rotarians,
 
March is Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month. Clean water is a basic need for human beings. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives. However, at least 3,000 children die each day from diseases caused by unsafe water, which is what motivates our members to build wells, install rainwater harvesting systems, and teach community members how to maintain new infrastructure.
 
While very few people die of thirst, millions die from preventable waterborne diseases, providing the impetus for our members to also improve sanitation facilities in undeveloped countries. Members start by providing toilets and latrines that flush into a sewer or safe enclosure and then add education programs to promote handwashing and other good hygiene habits to create greater and longer-lasting change.
 
 
 
These same hygiene principles also apply here at home, where handwashing is one of our major defenses against COVID, Influenza, RSV, the common cold, and a host of other diseases. Many food borne illnesses are caused by food handlers who have poor personal hygiene habits.
 
These are all opportunities where your club can engage with communities and its leaders as well as collaborate with professional organizations to provide interventions to keep our residents healthy and thriving. For more information on how you can participate in this efforts, please contact our District’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Rotary Action Group Liaison, Richard Chinn at: rbarry.61@gmail.com
 
Thank you for continuing to “Be The Change” you wish to see in your communities!
 
 
Yours in Rotary, 
Gary Chow
Governor, 2022-2023
Rotary International
District 5150