SUCHITWAM

Cleanliness, safe drinking water, and proper sanitation are fundamental to good health, human dignity, and sustainable community development. Millions of people, especially children, continue to face health challenges due to poor hygiene practices, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate sanitation facilities. Schools play a vital role in shaping lifelong habits, making WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives essential for creating a healthy learning environment. Through awareness, infrastructure development, and community participation, Rotary can bring meaningful and lasting improvements in public health and environmental sustainability. Rotary District 3211 is committed to promoting Suchitwam (Hygiene), Safe Drinking Water, and WASH in Schools as a major service initiative to build healthier communities and a brighter future for our children.

Rotary District 3211 shall encourage sustainable hygiene practices by promoting the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principle, establishing Rotary Swap Shops and supporting eco-friendly menstrual hygiene solutions, thereby reducing waste generation and contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

A. Awareness & Education

1. Conduct awareness programs in schools, colleges, residential associations, commercial establishments and public institutions.
2. Organize door-to-door campaigns on waste segregation and responsible waste disposal.
3. Use social media, local media and public campaigns to promote hygiene practices.
4. Conduct cleanliness pledge campaigns in schools and communities.
5. Organize poster, essay, drawing and quiz competitions on hygiene and sanitation.
6. Celebrate World Environment Day, Global Handwashing Day and World Toilet Day.
7. Conduct awareness programs for the public on the Waste Management Rules 2026, focusing on waste segregation at source, responsible disposal practices, the duties and responsibilities of waste generators, and compliance with government regulations for maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.

B. Waste Management Projects

1. Provide waste segregation bins (biodegradable/non-biodegradable) to schools, public places and institutions.
2. Promote household composting and community composting units.
3. Establish model waste management systems in selected schools.
4. Support Material Collection Facilities (MCFs) in association with Local Self Governments.
5. Conduct plastic-free campaigns and reduce single-use plastic usage.
6. Organize beach, river, canal and public place cleaning drives.

C. Honouring Hygiene Champions

1. Honour sanitation workers, health inspectors and public health officials.
2. Recognize Haritha Karma Sena volunteers.
3. Honour schools, institutions and residential associations maintaining exemplary cleanliness.
4. Recognize homemakers and community leaders promoting hygiene initiatives.

D. Support to Frontline Workers

1. Provide safety kits, gloves, masks, raincoats, boots and reflective jackets to sanitation workers and Haritha Karma Sena members.
2. Conduct health check-up camps for sanitation workers.
3. Provide insurance support wherever feasible through partnerships.

E. Sanitation & Hygiene Initiatives

1. Organize Sanitation & Hygiene camps in tribal & underserved areas.
2. Conduct awareness programs on personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene and disease prevention.
3. Promote mosquito control and prevention of communicable diseases.
4. Distribute hygiene kits to needy families and students.

F. Public Sanitation Facilities

1. Build, renovate or maintain public toilets and urinals at bus stations, hospitals, parks and markets in partnership with Local Self Governments.
2. Install sanitary waste disposal bins in public toilets.
3. Develop model public sanitation facilities with Rotary branding.
4. Provide handwashing stations in public places.

G. Sustainable Resource Management

1. Promote the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R)” Principle through awareness programs, workshops, and community campaigns.
2. Encourage households, schools, and institutions to minimize waste generation and maximize resource recovery.
3. Establish and promote Rotary Swap Shops where usable items such as books, clothes, toys, household articles, and educational materials can be exchanged, reused, or donated, thereby reducing waste and encouraging a circular economy.
4. Organize periodic collection drives for reusable items and distribute them to deserving beneficiaries through Rotary Swap Shops.

SWAP SHOPS

A swap shop is a place where people exchange used items instead of buying new ones. People bring things they no longer need, such as clothes, books, toys, or household items, and swap them for other useful items. This helps reduce waste, save money, and encourage the reuse of goods. Swap shops also promote environmental conservation by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. They encourage people to share resources and make better use of items that are still in good condition, benefiting both individuals and the community.

SUGGESTED DISTRICT GOALS

• One WASH Project by every Rotary Club.
• One Safe Drinking Water Project by every Rotary Club.
• One School Toilet / WASH Improvement Project by every Rotary Club.
• One Community Cleanliness Drive every quarter.
• One Water Testing Camp in every Zone.
• Creation of at least one “Model WASH School” in each Assistant Governor’s Zone.

This framework gives clubs both small and large project options while aligning with Rotary’s focus on community health, sanitation and sustainable development.

1. SAFE DRINKING WATER

Safe drinking water is essential for good health and well-being. It should be clean, free from harmful germs, chemicals, and other impurities that can cause diseases. Drinking safe water helps prevent illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhea etc. We should always use clean water for drinking, cooking, and preparing food. Water can be made safe by boiling, filtering, or purifying it before use. It is also important to store drinking water in clean, covered containers to prevent contamination. Every person should have access to safe drinking water, as it is necessary for a healthy and active life.

1. Infrastructure Projects
   1. Install and maintain water purification systems in schools, Anganwadis and public institutions.
   2. Establish drinking water kiosks in public places – eg. Water ATMs.
   3. Provide water storage tanks in water-scarce areas.
   4. Install water coolers in schools and public institutions.
   5. Support rainwater harvesting projects in schools and communities.
2. Water Conservation
   1. Conduct awareness programs on water conservation and prevention of water wastage.
   2. Promote household rainwater harvesting.
   3. Restore and rejuvenate ponds, wells and traditional water bodies.
   4. Organize “Save Water” campaigns among students and communities.
3. Water Quality & Testing
   1. Conduct drinking water testing camps.
   2. Create awareness about water-borne diseases.
   3. Facilitate periodic testing of school drinking water sources.
   4. Publish simple guidelines for safe storage and handling of drinking water.
4. Sustainable Water Projects
   1. Adopt villages for safe drinking water initiatives.
   2. Support groundwater recharge projects.
   3. Partner with government agencies and NGOs for large-scale water projects.
   4. Create “Model Safe Water Schools” in every Rotary Zone.

2. WASH IN SCHOOLS

WASH stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. It is an important program that ensures schools have safe drinking water, clean toilets, and proper handwashing facilities. Good WASH practices help prevent the spread of diseases, improve students’ health, and create a clean and safe learning environment. Students should wash their hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet. Schools should also maintain clean classrooms, toilets, and surroundings. By following WASH practices, students can stay healthy, attend school regularly, and develop good hygiene habits that last a lifetime.

1. Menstrual Hygiene Management
   1. Conduct menstrual hygiene awareness sessions for adolescent girls.
   2. Distribute menstrual hygiene kits to needy students.
   3. Train teachers as menstrual hygiene ambassadors.
2. Hygiene Promotion
   1. Conduct regular hygiene awareness classes.
   2. Observe Global Handwashing Day.
   3. Organize handwashing demonstrations.
   4. Conduct school cleanliness drives.
   5. Introduce “Clean Classroom – Clean Campus” competitions.
3. Student Engagement
   1. Form WASH Clubs in schools.
   2. Appoint Student Hygiene Ambassadors.
   3. Organize rallies and awareness campaigns.
   4. Conduct drawing, essay and quiz competitions on hygiene and water conservation.
4. Recognition & Sustainability
   1. Institute a “Rotary Clean School Award”.
   2. Recognize schools demonstrating exemplary WASH practices.
   3. Develop annual maintenance plans for WASH facilities.
   4. Conduct periodic monitoring and impact assessment.
5. Sustainable Menstrual Hygiene Management
   1. Promote awareness and appropriate use of Menstrual Cups among eligible girl students in schools and colleges, with the consent and involvement of parents, educational institutions, and healthcare professionals.
   2. Conduct menstrual health education programs highlighting safe, hygienic, economical, and environmentally sustainable menstrual products.
   3. Encourage eco-friendly menstrual hygiene practices to reduce sanitary waste and promote environmental sustainability.
   4. Organize orientation sessions for teachers, parents, and students on menstrual health and hygiene management.

2. TOILETS – NEW & REFURNISHED

School sanitation infrastructure refers to the facilities and systems that ensure a clean, safe, and healthy learning environment for students and staff. It includes access to adequate toilets, handwashing stations with soap and clean water, safe drinking water, proper drainage, waste disposal systems, and facilities for menstrual hygiene management. Well-maintained sanitation infrastructure helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases, improves student attendance, enhances dignity and privacy, and supports better educational outcomes, particularly for girls. Schools should also ensure that sanitation facilities are accessible to students with disabilities, regularly cleaned, and supported by hygiene education programs to promote healthy behaviors and overall well-being.

1. Build, repair and maintain toilet blocks in schools.
2. Ensure separate toilets for boys and girls.
3. Improve accessibility of toilets for children with disabilities.
4. Install handwashing stations with soap near toilets and dining areas.
5. Provide adequate water supply to school sanitation facilities.