Here is a bit of history for you, in view that the Rotary International theme for March is WASH (yes, another acronym...) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.Back in 1907, two years after our inaugural Rotary International President, Paul Harris, founded this organisation, the first ever Community Service project was completed: a “comfort station”, aka Public Toilet, in Chicago. Now, if you have ever been caught in a major city, desperately looking for one, you know exactly what I mean about how important this is. Ever been to Paris? They are almost non-existent – you need to download an app to find one.
Rotary has always been big on this subject of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. Back in 1978/79, the first Australian to be appointed RI President, Sir Clem Renouf, started the “3H” program: Health, Hunger and Humanity. Water, of course, would have heavily weighed in this major international program. Clem’s biggest initiative was the eradication of Polio.
So, how can you get involved? After all, our local council takes good care of public conveniences on the Gold Coast. But in developing countries, it’s different. The Rotary Foundation has dozens of programs in places that need it. And you don’t have to worry whether your donation is well spent. See our Foundation Director, Dr Elizabeth Celi for more information.