Kathie Julian recently gave a heartfelt presentation about the Club's international clean water project in Cambuyo, Bohol, Philippines. The project aims to provide clean drinking water to the local elementary and high school campuses. The project not only seeks to ensure access to safe water but will also connect it to existing toilets and washroom sinks, promoting healthier facilities for the children.Kathie Julian recently gave a heartfelt presentation about the club's international clean water project in Cambuyo, Bohol, Philippines. The project aims to provide clean drinking water to the local elementary and high school campuses. The project not only seeks to ensure access to safe water but will also connect it to existing toilets and washroom sinks, promoting healthier facilities for the children.
A particularly touching element of the project is its educational component, which emphasizes teaching good hygiene practices and carrying out ongoing hygiene assessments. Kathie was deeply inspired to propose this project after witnessing firsthand the struggles of young girls carrying heavy buckets of water to washrooms, highlighting a daily challenge many in the community face. Furthermore, she learned about the alarming rates of waterborne diseases affecting children’s health, school attendance, and overall performance, which calls for urgent attention and action.
As of this month, we are optimistic about the project's progress: the proposal is set to be submitted to Rotary International for grant consideration; a review by the Rotary International Committee focused on WASH has already approved an additional grant; and we are currently waiting for responses to follow-up questions from our club. In collaboration with Bryan Foertsch and Mike McCallum, the project will also be presented to other Rotary Clubs for potential additional funding.
In an encouraging step forward, we are set to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with various organizations and agencies involved, including the Cambuyo Schools, local PTA, the Philippines Department of Education, the Cambuyo Barangay (political district), the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran—the host Rotary Club on Bohol—and the non-governmental organization Clean Water International of the Philippines. This NGO has a strong track record of successfully implementing clean water projects alongside Rotary Clubs in the region, making it reassuring to know that experienced hands are guiding this initiative.
Construction is anticipated to commence in May this year, with a hopeful completion date set for July 2025. The project will include ongoing assessments to ensure its effectiveness, concluding with a final review in July 2026. The total budget is $62,000, with confirmed funding sources that include our Tahoe-Incline Rotary Club ($12,000), Rotary District 5109 ($20,000), Rotary International WASH ($2,000), and future targeted contributions from neighboring Rotary Clubs and our club.
Following Kathie Julian's moving presentation about the Bohol clean water project, we are thrilled to report that our fundraising efforts surpassed expectations, raising an impressive $7,100 in donations, with contributions from 15 generous donors, including all three new inductees. This compassionate response reflects our community’s commitment to supporting the children of Cambuyo and helping create a healthier, brighter future for them.