A signature project of the Midday Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende is arguably the most important thing we do. Providing safe, sustainable water and sanitation facilities in the rural communities of our area are not only life-changing, but they are also life-saving. Poor WASH habits, specifically water, sanitation, and hygiene, are responsible for 50% of childhood and maternal deaths each year.
All of us have modern bathroom facilities in our homes. To get water for bathing, flushing, and cleaning, it’s a mere turn or push of the tap. But a short drive out of town, the situation is primitive, with open defecation being the norm in most communities. This in itself is not only a huge health issue, but it’s a safety problem as well for young women who are at risk for sexual abuse and rape.
Local businessman and fellow Rotarian Lee Carter will take you through a compelling presentation of the dry composting toilets and rainwater harvesting through the installation of cisterns.
You’ll learn about the many benefits of dry composting toilets that include significant improvements in health and safety as well as a rich, organic byproduct that is used for agriculture. 12,000-liter cisterns, which are installed at rural homes capture enough rainwater to provide a family with all the drinking and cooking water needed for an entire year. With the various Rotary events held throughout the year along with private donations, generous support from the Rotary International Foundation and Rotary clubs north of the border, we’ve been able to provide 50 dry composting toilets and over 1400 cisterns harvesting more than 16,800,000 liters of rainwater every year.
There’s a lot more that needs to be done. Please join us this Tuesday and learn more about these projects and how you might help by considering becoming a member of our club.
We’re located at Los Arcos, next to the yellow caboose on Sterling Dickinson. Doors open at 9 AM. The presentation will begin at 9:30 and is free.
By: Skip Essick
Rotary is where neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders and take action to create lasting change. For more information, contact President Gary Peterson at [email protected]
