Wyoming Working for WASH

Briefing Prepared for ______

Improving Access to Clean Water Is at the Top of Americans’ Global Health Priorities

People in the state of Wyoming are leading the effort to solve the global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenge. There are numerous faith-based, civic, and academic WASH initiatives are underway throughout the state. The top programs in the state include:

a)The Jackson Hole Rotary Supper Club raised over $150,000 for sanitation facilities, a clean water system, and a rainwater harvesting project in Rwanda and Tanzania.

b)The University of Wyoming’s Hillside Community Water Project raised $50,000and built a community well that provides clean water to 18,000 Kenyan villagers.

Other notable efforts include:

Rotary Clubs in Wyoming

  • Rotary District 5440, Cheyenne
  • Partnered with Rotary Club Vista Hermosa District 6040 (Missouri) to supply Guatemala with 200 composting eco-latrines and a sewer system
  • Rotary Club of Cheyenne
  • Partnered with the Rotary Club of Kearney, Nebraska topurchase a $20,000 mobile drilling rig for well drilling in Haiti
  • Donated $1,000 to the Rotary Club of Fort Collins Global Grant project that improved the sanitation of homes in rural Guatemala
  • Funded the development of two water distribution systems in southeast Guatemala for 850 people
  • Cody Rotary Club
  • Partnered with Fort Collins After Work Rotary Club tofund apotable water project in Ecuador

Faith-Based Organizations in Wyoming

  • Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Casper
  • Hosted Ethiopian Pastor AberaHellemo, who works with Water Missions International on their projects that aim to bring safe water to water-scarce villages in Ethiopia, and promoted awareness among members of the global water crisis
  • Presbytery of Wyoming, Casper
  • Partners with Living Waters for the World, to providewater purification systems for disadvantaged groups globally
  • First United Methodist Church of Gillette, Gillette
  • Raised money for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) WASH program

Schools & Universities in Wyoming

  • University of Wyoming, Engineers Without Borders Chapter
  • Conducted acommunity assessment in Guatemala and collaborated with community members on water distribution system design
  • Designed water distribution system for a girls’ dormitory at a school in Kenya
  • Hosted “Breaking Borders Oktoberfest”toraisemoney for water projects in Kenya and Guatemala and awareness about global water insecurity
  • University of Wyoming Hillside Community Water Project
  • Initiated community-wide cleanup in a Nairobi, Kenya slum
  • Hosted Dr. John Kambatu, who spoke about the need to increasewater access in Kenyan communities
  • Hosted Pure Water for the World Director for a “Haiti and Post-Disaster Reconstruction” lecture aimed at raising awareness among students on clean water issues
  • Casper College, Casper
  • Hosts workshops for educators about incorporating water and environmental issues into K-12 curriculum through the Project WET initiative

WASH-Focused Organizations in Wyoming

  • The Boys & Girls Club’s Torch Club, Cheyenne
  • Partnered with the Rotary Club of Cheyenne andraised $1,500 for the World Community Service Committee’s Guatemala water project
  • Pure Water for the World, Cheyenne
  • Green River residentPati Smith traveled to Haiti toinstall sand and gravel filtration systems
  • Recruited Wyoming residents toraise money for the construction ofwater filtration systems at Haiti’s clinics, hospitals, and schools and raised awareness about the water crisis

For more information, please contact John Oldfield at WASH Advocates:

202.293.4049   Updated: December 2015