Presidential Peace Conference by Aufranc, Jorge: Peace and Water
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The document summarizes Jorge Aufranc's presentation at the 2017 Presidential Peace Conference on a Rotary International water project in Guatemala. The project addressed the lack of clean water among indigenous communities in Guatemala by installing piping to bring water from a nearby source, adding chlorination and storage tanks. It also included building drinking stations, toilets, and hand washing stations. The project collaboration with the community led to decreases in infant mortality and health problems, and happier children through improved sanitation and hygiene.
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Presidential Peace Conference by Aufranc, Jorge: Peace and Water
- 1. 2017 PRESIDENTIAL PEACE CONFERENCE2017 PRESIDENTIAL PEACE CONFERENCE 9-10 June 2017 – Georgia World Congress Center9-10 June 2017 – Georgia World Congress Center Track A – Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Peace Jorge Aufranc Director 2016-2018 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL “Projects addressing long term water and sanitation needs in Guatemala” Water Projects – Large and SmallWater Projects – Large and Small
- 2. Guatemala
- 4. Guatemala • Second most vulnerable country in the world with respect to climate change • Primary cause of infant mortality among our indigenous people in Guatemala continues to be the lack of clean water.
- 5. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in schools • Disease prevention • Decrease in infant mortality • Improving hygiene conditions within the community
- 9. Components of this project • Piping in water from a nearby source • Chlorination • Installation of a storage tank • Water now available at a newly built drinking station, kitchen, and toilets that actually flush • The construction of the toilets includes the disposal of waste water into a septic tank
- 11. Through our project… • Infant mortality rate decrease • Reduction in health problems • Happier children
- 12. Education
- 13. Primary ingredients of peace • Creating an impact in the community • Involving the community in positive change • Working hand-in-hand with the community • Helping the community understand and experience the benefits of their own hard work
- 14. To guarantee the success 1.- Assess the needs of the community 2.- Set the parameters to evaluate the outcome of the program 3.- Engage community leaders 4.- Obtain the commitment from the community 5.- Involve as many Rotarians as possible
- 16. Work closely with the community
Editor's Notes
- Dear family of Rotary: It´s a privilege to be here at the Peace Conference to talk about the importance of large and sustainable water programs in Guatemala, through the Global Grants program of The Rotary Foundation.
- As you know, Guatemala is located south of Mexico in Central America, a land mass which serves as a bridge between North and South America. Guatemala is a country of contrasts.
- It´s a country that is made up primarily of indigenous people and their ancient traditions remain very much alive throughout the Guatemalan highlands. The indigenous people are the poorest people in the country.
- The United Nations has designated Guatemala the second most vulnerable country in the world with respect to climate change. And the primary cause of infant mortality among our indigenous people in Guatemala continues to be the lack of clean water. In order to address long term water and sanitation needs of indigenous schools and communities in an effective and sustainable way, Rotarians from Guatemala and District 6440 in Illinois, USA have collaborated with their District Designated Funds to successfully carry out a Global Grant.
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in schools’ projects are focused on disease prevention, decrease in infant mortality and improving hygiene conditions within the community. These projects have already resulted in positive impact and in turn, helping world understanding, goodwill and peace. Before our work began, most schools in rural areas of Guatemala did not have access to potable water, the school children didn´t have bathrooms in their schools, and they didn´t have any place to wash their hands. Here you can see pictures of some schools before and after the program was completed.
- A previously contaminated water well is now a source of chlorinated and safe water, open to the public.
- Latrines were replaced by toilets which are now separate for boys and girls.
- Teachers used to wash students’ hands with bottled water. Now they have hand-washing stations. Our program has improved the sanitary conditions at the schools and provides a reliable and safe source of water.
- The major components of this project include piping in water from a nearby source, chlorination and installation of a storage tank. Water is now available at a newly built drinking station, kitchen, and toilets that actually flush. The construction of the toilets includes the disposal of waste water into a septic tank.
- The projects are the result of collaboration and partnership among various entities with varying interests. We are delighted that local government officials have agreed in writing to maintain and repair the water and sanitation facilities at the schools. The local community also has a vested interest in the project in that they donate their time and energy in building and sustaining the facilities. Also, school teachers are trained to teach students and parents about good hygiene at home. The Rotary family consisting of the International Rotary Club of Barrington Breakfast in conjunction with multiple funding partners from many districts worked with the Host Rotary Club of Guatemala Sur to successfully complete the project. Furthermore, we have an agreement with the local university, by which fourth year Architecture students supervise the project as part of their program of study.
- Through our project we have helped decrease the infant mortality rate by providing safe water and teaching appropriate sanitation practices to indigenous children. We have seen a reduction in health problems, the children are happier, they want to go to school, and when they return home, they share the health lessons they learned at school with their families, stressing the importance of clean water and frequent hand washing. All this is monitored by social workers.
- Although educating all children is our primary concern, we are especially interested in making sure that girls are included in this education process. We want to facilitate their education so that girls as well as boys will continue on the right path, stay in school, and learn about the importance of good hygiene. As we all know, education, like Rotary, makes a difference. During the entire time of this project, we have remained at one location. We have purposefully not carried out projects at multiple sites so that we could focus on doing something bigger and impactful, instead of many smaller projects with little or no impact.
- Although providing water and improving sanitation is of highest importance, we feel that our project goes beyond that: It helps to create peace. It does this by combining the primary ingredients for peace: creating an impact in the community, involving the community in positive change, working hand-in-hand with the community, and finally, helping the community understand and experience the benefits of their own hard work. Through this process, the people feel the impact, build bonds of friendship, and create a more peaceful community.
- To guarantee the success of these Global Grants, it is imperative to do the following: 1.- Assess the needs of the community by investing time right at the start; 2.- Set the parameters to evaluate the outcome of the program; 3.- Engage the community leaders from the beginning; 4.- Obtain the commitment from the community leaders and local authorities; and 5.- Involve as many Rotarians as possible.
- This project is an example of collaboration and synergy among government entities, local communities, and Rotarians, to not only provide water and improve sanitation, but to build peace. This is an example of applying The Rotary Foundation’s Areas of Focus to obtain measurable and sustainable results to build peace. And this is an example of enhancing Rotary´s image by doing good in the world to build peace
- In closing, I would like to say that the key to success for any project of this magnitude is working closely with the members of the community. When you work with them and they are engaged, they are motivated, they see the benefits, and they are grateful. And finally, they see Rotary as an organization that builds bridges and serves humanity. Thank you.