Wasrag too has been working in the background – and making true progress. Thanks to the quiet and persistent efforts of Wasrag Vice Chair Bob Wubbena, Technical Commitee Chair Jim Goodrich and their teams, Wasrag now has a strategic plan and a business plan. If you haven’t seen these documents yet they can both be found at: http://wasrag.org/downloads.php?reports
On this firm foundation we are moving forward to address the concept on which Wasrag is based: true sustainability of water and sanitation projects.
One of our first priorities was to outline the Wasrag strategy in an easy-to-read, concise document – something that you can pass on to your fellow Rotarians when they ask about Wasrag. In this 2-page flyer: “Interested in a water project? Here’s how we can help” we summarize how clubs can find a project that matches their resources and interests.
Option 1: Clubs can provide funds for any existing Rotary WASH project, selected from the Wasrag projects listings on the website or Rotary’s ProjectLINK.
If however clubs want to have a more in-depth involvement, they may consider:
Option 2: Select a project from a list on the Wasrag website which is included in a completed Needs Assessment, and thus part of a larger plan for a region in a focus country; or
Option 3: Choose a major, multi-year commitment to undertake the management of a regional program, based on a completed needs assessment for that area.
Obviously the two latter options require access to completed Needs Assessments and the corresponding Wasrag-endorsed project listings. This data will start to come on-stream in April 2010, with the program phasing in more assessments as they become available.
SO WHERE ARE WE NOW?
We are working on the development of Regional Teams and are getting our first Needs Assessments underway in areas such as Malawi and Ethiopia. The Needs Assessments are based on sustainable best practices, including, but not limited to local community involvement and the selection of technology suitable for the region and culture.
As soon as our first Needs Assessment is completed it will be posted on the Wasrag website, together with the corresponding list of Wasrag endorsed projects – a very exciting day for us! And of course we will notify you at that time!
In the meantime – there are many, many projects looking for immediate assistance. Clubs can continue to post their projects on our website and share project needs and opportunities. Just go to the www.wasrag.org site and click on the “Projects” menu.
LIVE EARTH EVENT AND OTHER NEWS
Here are just a few things that are keeping the Wasrag team awake at nights:
Live Earth: This global event, scheduled for April 18, 2010, was launched in New York City on October 13th. We are waiting for Rotary-specific materials which will help clubs identify ways they can get involved. They should be available in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, the Live Earth website will give you more details. Live Earth Website.
Tweeting: Wasrag (in the guise of its Chair, Ron Denham) is now “Tweeting”! (Most appropriate given that this is the time of year for “twick or tweeting!”) Go to Twitter website and see what “WasragRon” is up to!
Facebook: Join our Facebook group Facebook Website and share information and ideas. Search for “Wasrag” and keep on going!
Photo Gallery: Our website is always evolving. We have added some great new photos of wells in Haiti. Just go to the website: Wasrag Website and click on “Photo Gallery”.
Charitable Status: Wasrag is now fully registered as a charitable foundation in the USA and Canada.
And much more – but we’ll save that for the next Bulletin!
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