F. Ronald Denham, Chair Emeritus Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group Guelph – January 2014

2. All about Water: Engaging Rotary - Changing Lives F. Ronald Denham, Chair Emeritus Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group Guelph – January 2014 A young girl at the clear water well at the Mercy Home for Children in Kampala from the water-technology.net website).

3. Background: Many WASH undertakings fail to deliver lasting service to their communities • Fewer than 30% of hand pumps still function after five years(UNICEF study) • Many biosand filters no longer effective after six months (UNC study) • Uganda National Development Plan states functionality of rural watersystems in Western region is less than 50% • A large number of Rotary water projects described as “rehabilitation” implies failure of original investment

4. Background Many other anecdotes imply millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of hours wasted in non-sustainable WASH initiatives: • “Of 2000 wells drilled in this country during the past five years, fewerthan 1000 still operate.” (Director of Water, Govt. of Ghana) • Major water kiosk initiative in Abidjan a failure – none of the kiosks still function • Piped water systems destroyed by theft of valves, connectors, etc. sus.tain’abil’i.ty - noun continuity of service over a period of time; permanent beneficial change

5. Background Many possible causes of failure: • No sense of “community ownership” • Failure to build on local culture and values • Inadequate training, lack of trained people • No provision for on-going service and maintenance • Inappropriate technology • Construction quality compromised • Over-extraction, inadequate re-charge • No monitoring and feedback

6. Background And, too often the project is just about water; it doesn’t address the real needs of the community: better life and livelihood: • Provide a water well for a community in El Salvador • Provide water tanks for 160 houses in Brazil • Provide five boreholes to a community in Burkina Faso • Provide a pipeline for a village in Kenya • Provide a reinforced concrete cistern

7. The traditional Rotary WASH project Inputs Activity Output Results • International partner R.C. decides to do a WASH project • Contacts Host club • Request Matching Grant • Invite local community input

8. Focuses on the activity Inputs Activity Output Results • Dig well • Supply filter • Construct latrine • Install RWH • Drill borehole • Build dams

9. Hoping for these results: Inputs Activity Output Results • Safe, clean water • Working latrine • Collecting the rainwater • Functioning well • Dam is effective • Sanitation facility

10. But the community wants much more: Socioeconomicgoals - vision Inputs Activity Outcomes Impacts A program having a significant, sustainable impact on their life and livelihood: Output Results Project Program

11. It implies a broader scope: Project Link with other functions • Community development • Financial management • Behaviour change • Training, skill development • Capacity building • Commercial channels • Local authorities • NGOs • etc.

12. And an extended time horizon: Project • Vision for community • Feedback • Adapt to change • Integrated learnings • Life cycle costing • Valid business case • Appropriate metrics Extend time horizon Link with other functions • Community development • Financial management • Behaviour change • Training, skill development • Capacity building • Commercial channels • Local authorities • NGOs • etc.

13. To develop a holistic program having real impact on the people and the community: Project • Vision for community • Feedback • Adapt to change • Integrated learnings • Life cycle costing • Valid business case • Appropriate metrics Extend time horizon Link with other functions • Community development • Financial management • Behaviour change • Training, skill development • Capacity building • Commercial channels • Local authorities • NGOs • etc. Integrated Program!

14. A sustainable program implies a more rigorous start-up: Output Results Inputs Activity Outcomes Impacts • The community • Baseline data • Collaborators/partners: - Host & International RCs - TRF • - NGOs - Local authority - Outside funders • Skills/know-how - Technology - Facilitation • Regulations, policies • Environmental Issues • Gender issues

15. And much more emphasis on “software”: Output Results Inputs Activity Outcomes Impacts • Create teams • Build capacity • Needs assessment • Identify appropriate technologies • Life-cycle costing/affordability • Design/plan project • Build, construct, implement • Identify business opportunities • Design monitoring systems

16. The outputs are the means to deliver sustainability Output Results Inputs Activity Outcomes Impacts • Functioning system • Appropriate tariff structure • Management structure & processes • Valid quality & performance measures • Adequate flow of funds • WASH people trained, empowered and accept responsibility • Viable business enterprise

17. The focus of the program should be tangible outcomes over time: Output Results Inputs Activity Outcomes Impacts • Community of people capable of making change for the better • Women create economic value • Better attendance at schools especially girls • Business and commercial activity • Better health, less disease • Feedback on performance • Advocacy for change

18. The community should have the capacity to sustain growth and improvement in life and livelihood: Output Results Inputs Activity Outcomes Impacts Entire community moves up the ladder of self-improvement and sustainability • A basis for other programs (education, health, etc.) • Reduction of poverty • Food security • Less conflict • Enhanced economic value

19. The Rotary Foundation and Wasrag are moving in this direction with “PEP”: The Pilot Project Enhancement Program (PEP) is built on: • Strong, effective country WASH teams • Host club and community needs-driven projects • Funded Needs Assessments • Emphasis on “front-end” software and capacity building • Rigorous evaluation of appropriate technology • Access technology and project management expertise • Training clubs and community • Integrated monitoring and evaluation

20. Global Grant requests must demonstrate the following to ensure sustainability: • Rigorous Needs Assessments • Involvement/commitment of community and partner NGOs • Extensive use of local resources • Appropriate technology • Professional management of program/project • Provision for ongoing funding/tariffs • Business opportunities for local entrepreneurs • Coaching and helping the community to “own” the program

21. And, looking ahead: • Water and Sanitation is one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus • It may become a successor to Polio Eradication • That program saw Rotary clubs taking a global leadership role • Significant, sustainable WASH programs will strengthen Rotary’s image and support the brand; traditional small projects will not • We should shift our focus from “Hardware” to “Software”;leading the community, building capacity, changing lives

22. Wasrag is the resource you need to engage your clubs in changing lives through safe water and sanitation. Start tomorrow: find out how others are doing it - and share your experiences. Join Wasrag: Click on www.wasrag.org