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

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 water systems in Western region is less than 50%  A large number of Rotary water projects described as “rehabilitation” implies failure of original investment 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, fewer than 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 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 Background

 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 And, too often the project is just about water; it doesn’t address the real needs of the community: better life and livelihood: Background

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

Focuses on the activity Dig well Supply filter Construct latrine Install RWH Drill borehole Build dams ActivityInputs Output Results

Hoping for these results: Safe, clean water Working latrine Collecting the rainwater Functioning well Dam is effective Sanitation facility ActivityInputs Output Results

But the community wants much more: Project Program Socio economic goals - vision InputsActivityOutcomesImpacts Output Results A program having a significant, sustainable impact on their life and livelihood:

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

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

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 Community development Financial management Behaviour change Training, skill development Capacity building Commercial channels Local authorities NGOs etc. Integrated Program! Extend time horizon Link with other functions

A sustainable program implies a more rigorous start-up: Activity Outcomes Inputs 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 Output Results Impacts

And much more emphasis on “software”: Activity Outcomes ImpactsInputs 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 Output Results

The outputs are the means to deliver sustainability Activity Outcomes ImpactsInputs 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 Output Results

The focus of the program should be tangible outcomes over time: Activity Outcomes ImpactsInputs 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 Output Results

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

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 The Rotary Foundation and Wasrag are moving in this direction with “PEP”:

 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 Global Grant requests must demonstrate the following to ensure sustainability:

 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 And, looking ahead:

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