That year, the Rotary District 7020 conference was held in Jamaica and everyone saw a Rotarian who walked everywhere carrying a bucket! That Rotarian was Fritz Pierre-Louis from Haiti. Recognizing the need for a sustainable solution, Fritz researched water filtration systems. He adapted a water filter to fit a bucket, using it as a portable demonstration to garner support for his initiative through Rotary District 7020.

Later, during DG Jeremy Hurst’s visit to Léogâne, he and his wife Michelle sampled the filtered water served in wine glasses! Similarly, PDG Haresh Ramchandani participated in a water filter project and drank the filtered well water.

When PRIP Barry Rassin and his wife Esther visited Gonaives, they faced a water shortage. The Director of the CTE, responsible for Gonaïves’ water supply, was asked by the Assistant Governor at the time to specially activate the water system, two hours later the water turned on, allowing them to shower after a long journey. Having experienced the water issues in Haiti firsthand, in 2018 then President of Rotary International, Barry Rassin, was inspired to begin the HANWASH programme in Haiti.

From a bucket and a water filter, the HANWASH programme evolved to well systems which relied on local power to run the pump, to the Phase 1 addition of solar panels. The panels give approximately 6 hours of run time daily. Phase 2 aims to add battery backup systems at a cost of $80,000 to $120,000. Unfortunately, a setback occurred when USAID withdrew its battery funding support, however OREPA is working to fundraise for the project. Once the battery system is installed, water will be available 24/7, supplying potable water for up to 5,000 families!

In March ,a huge step forward was made with the inauguration of a new water point in Leogane. Broadcast live from Leogane and streamed out via Zoom, over 50 attended virtually, including HANWASH Chair Jeremy Hurst and several PDGs. In Leogane, Technical Director of OREPA Ouest Ing. Jacquard Desormaux, and other local dignitaries were in attendance in person.

Among the speakers was Champion District 5130 Representative Dan Balfe , Santa Rosa, CA, who spoke obo DG Kathy Flamson. Project leader Andre Wildaine emphasized the critical role of the technical team in planning and implementation. All contracts are signed and currently being fulfilled. DINEPA selected communes near strong clubs, including Cavaillon and five other communes, for the project.

The new well in Leogane marks another major step forward in HANWASH’s audacious goal of providing potable water for the entire nation of Haiti.

START SMALL…DREAM BIG

Credit: Written by Fritz Pierre-Louis and Sheila Bethel

Across Haiti this year, Carnival unfolded in different ways. In larger urban centres, smaller but determined crowds gathered for music, rara bands, and traditional masquerades, reflecting both the enduring spirit of the festival and the realities facing the country. Some communities scaled back parades because of economic pressures and security concerns, while others leaned more heavily into local, community-based celebrations. Rather than grand national spectacles, Carnival 2026 felt deeply rooted in neighborhoods — an expression of culture shaped by resilience and adaptability.

Haitian Carnival has always carried layers of meaning. Rooted in African traditions, colonial history and local resistance, it allows communities to speak through art when words are not enough. In Jacmel, widely known as the artistic heart of Haiti’s Carnival, papier-mâché masks and handcrafted costumes transformed streets into moving galleries. Artists spent months preparing figures that represented folklore, social commentary and sometimes the hardships of everyday life. Even in years marked by uncertainty, Jacmel’s creators continued to build beauty from cardboard, paint, and imagination — a powerful symbol of hope.

For organizations like HANWASH, these cultural moments reveal why community partnerships matter. Carnival highlights the strength of local networks: artisans supporting one another, families gathering despite economic challenges, and neighbourhoods working collectively to preserve traditions. It’s the same spirit that drives water and sanitation projects, health initiatives and education programmes across Haiti. Cultural resilience and community service are deeply connected — both depend on trust, collaboration, and the belief that small actions can create lasting change.

Yet this year’s celebrations unfolded against a difficult backdrop. In parts of Haiti’s southwest, communities continue to recover from the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Flooding and infrastructure damage disrupted livelihoods and isolated rural areas, adding new challenges to regions already facing limited resources. For many families, Carnival was not an escape from hardship but a momentary pause — a chance to gather strength before returning to the work of rebuilding homes, farms, and daily routines.

This contrast between celebration and recovery underscores the role of humanitarian partnerships. Clean water access, sanitation systems, and community-driven development projects become even more vital after natural disasters. When HANWASH volunteers collaborate with local leaders, they help create stability that allows culture to thrive. Safe water systems mean healthier children; stronger infrastructure means communities can better withstand future storms and sustained partnerships ensure that progress continues long after international attention fades.

As the streets grow quiet and the drums are stored away, the lessons of Carnival remain. Jacmel’s masks remind us that art can transform struggle into expression. The resilience of families in the southwest shows that recovery is not only physical but emotional and cultural. For those engaged in nonprofit work, Carnival serves as a powerful reflection of why service matters: not just to respond to crises, but to stand beside communities as they celebrate, rebuild and look forward.

In Haiti, the end of Carnival is never an ending — it is a transition. The same hands that crafted masks now return to rebuilding neighbourhoods. The same communities that danced together now face the ongoing challenges of recovery. Through continued partnership, compassion, and long-term commitment, organizations like HANWASH can help ensure that the rhythm of resilience continues long after the music fades…

Carnival 2026: Photo courtesy of Haiti Wonderland

Jacmel Masks: Photo courtesy of Haitian Embassy, Nassau.

Cap Haitien Carnival 2026: Photo by Onz Chéry/The Haitian Times

Partnerships are the lifeblood of effective non-profit work. In a space where resources are often limited and needs are vast, collaboration allows organizations to extend their reach, strengthen their impact, and achieve outcomes that would be impossible alone. For non-profits like HANWASH, partnerships are not just helpful—they are essential.

HANWASH’s mission depends on a network of supporters working toward a shared goal. Strategic partnerships with local organizations, international NGOs, private-sector companies, and government agencies help translate vision into action. Each partner brings something different to the table: funding, technical expertise, volunteer support, logistics, advocacy power, or community trust.

We are deeply grateful to our partners, including DINEPA, OREPA, Hope for Haiti, Haiti Outreach, UNOPS, M-Water, WASH RAG, Northwater, Operators Without Borders, Magepa S.A., and our local government and local community water committees and mayoral offices. We also thank The Rotary Foundation, Host District 7020, Rotary Champion Districts 7020, 5060, 6960, 6940, 5130, and 6290, along with local Haitian Rotary Clubs. And, to the many others including our amazing Staff, who contribute their time, talent, and treasure in service to the people of Haiti, thank you!

Ultimately, these amazing partnerships turn good intentions into lasting change. For HANWASH, working hand in hand with our partners means building stronger communities, promoting health and dignity and creating solutions that endure well beyond any single project. In the non-profit world, progress is rarely made in isolation—and HANWASH’s experience is a clear reminder that meaningful impact is built together.

The parades are over, the Soupe Joumou is all gone. Haiti Independence Day, celebrated annually on January 1st, was a moment for Haitians worldwide to commemorate their unique and revolutionary past while reflecting on the ongoing struggles and future aspirations of the nation.

Southeast Haiti, like the rest of the nation, celebrated its Independence Day on January 1st, 2026, showcasing remarkable resilience by honouring their freedom and heritage, despite the devastating impacts of Hurricane Melissa in late 2025, which caused significant flooding, deaths, and homelessness, particularly around Petit-Goâve. The spirit of Haitian Independence — rooted in revolution and survival — fueled their determination to celebrate their freedom and rebuild their nation.

Haiti, the world’s first Black republic, was born out of extraordinary courage and sacrifice. That legacy of resilience, resistance and self-determination continues to define the nation and its people, even as they rebuild. In essence, while Hurricane Melissa left deep wounds, the spirit of Haitian independence — rooted in revolution and survival — fueled the determination to rebuild their nation.

Resilience…

In the months following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the people of southeastern Haiti have once again shown the world the true meaning of resilience. Homes were damaged, livelihoods disrupted, and entire communities forced to confront yet another difficult chapter in a long history of hardship. Yet, amid the rubble and the ongoing work of rebuilding, something remarkable has endured: the unbreakable spirit of the Haitian people.

Everywhere in the region, signs of recovery are visible. Neighbors help one another clear debris, repair roofs, and restore daily routines with whatever resources they can find. A major issue was the loss of the autumn food harvest and water contamination, which international humanitarian organisations such as Hanwash have been addressing. Progress is often slow and challenging, but it is driven by determination rather than despair. For many families, rebuilding is not just about reconstructing houses—it is about restoring dignity, hope, and a sense of normalcy.

Perhaps nothing symbolizes this strength more powerfully than the decision to still celebrate Carnival. In Jacmel, music, color, dance, and laughter returned to the streets, not as an act of denial, but as a declaration of survival. Carnival became a statement: despite loss and uncertainty, life goes on, culture endures, and joy remains an essential part of healing.

Known as Haiti’s cultural vanguard, Jacmel kicked off its celebrations on January 18 with street parades featuring dancers, masks, and traditional “rope throwers”, under the theme “Jacmel in Our Dreams.” (Jakmèl nan rèv nou!). According to Vilbrun Emerson, in a post shared on the City Hall’s social media, this theme is part of “a poetic, memorial, and forward-looking approach.” It draws inspiration from the work of writer and poet René Dépestre, a native of Jacmel, who is celebrating his centenary this year.

The launch drew thousands of residents and visitors into the streets for a day of music, dance, visual spectacle and a time to forget the challenges and build hope for the future.

Jacmel Carnival Jan 18, 2026.
Credit: Photo by Fanise Davide Lejustal for The Haitian Times.

Part of the focus Community hygiene and sanitation training and is ongoing in Ferrier. The Rotarians are highly committed and determined to see the project through to completion and ensure access to water for the community of Artaud, it has also been very encouraging to observe the strong involvement of local authorities and community leaders. The mayor, along with other local notables, regularly participates in field meetings and missions. They have shown genuine interest in understanding the project and broader WASH issues, actively contribute ideas, and take part in decision-making processes.

Since we started this project/grant there have been changes to the grant terms. We’ve had to step back to look at the bigger picture for villages beyond the initial target of Artaud. DINEPA, UNOPS, and HANWASH determined that a second well would be advisable. So our new approach: Use remaining grant funds for the second well, pumphouse, and the training; UNOPS and DINEPA then take over the build out of the system. DINEPA, UNOPS, and Rotary International grant advisors agreed to this approach. We have started the second well and water testing is ongoing. We are very pleased with the progress and new direction.

The introduction of a reliable, chlorinated, household-level water service operated by Sous Lavi marked a turning point. families can now access drinking water directly at home, day and night, simply by opening a tap. This reliability transformed daily routines and reduced stress, especially for households receiving guests, running small businesses, or caring for children. “Now, if someone comes to my house, I just open the tap and fill my tank. I’m not afraid anymore,” shared one subscriber.

Health and hygiene outcomes improved alongside access. While some residents cautiously noted the absence of formal health studies, most declared having observed fewer cases of diarrhoea and water-related illness, especially among children. Beyond individual households, the water system reshaped social relations.

Several subscribers described sharing water with neighbours in need: elderly households, new arrivals, or families facing hardship. One resident shared, “I give two drums of water every week to a neighbour who is struggling. I don’t sell it. Water is life.” Access to water strengthened solidarity rather than competition.

Today, the Pignon water system stands as more than infrastructure. It represents trust and improved quality of life. As one subscriber summarized simply:
“The biggest change is peace of mind. I know water is there when I need it.”

The mayor emphasized that leadership training helped local officials “update” their understanding of governance and service management, enabling them to play a more active role in guiding and supervising WASH services. The major says: ““There are things we did not know before, and through this HANWASH project, we came to understand them.”

Overall, the most significant change is that WASH is no longer seen as an external project but as a locally governed public service. The mayor described the HANWASH–Rotary partnership not as a transactional relationship but as a service to the population, enabling the municipality to fulfil its role more effectively.

“The population benefits. The municipality benefits. This partnership helps us move faster.”

Petit-Goave, Haiti, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Melissa, a Category 5 hurricane, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, flooded nearly 19,000 homes and destroyed 1,500 others after its outer bands battered Haiti. 254,000 people have been directly affected. The hurricane caused significant damage in the communities of Léogâne and Petit-Goâve, (in the Southwest) including the destruction of homes, schools, and churches, as well as the loss of electricity and clean water. In addition to physical devastation, the storm led to severe flooding, which damaged roads and contaminated water sources, and increased the risk of disease outbreaks and severe landslides. The destroyed roads disrupted supply chains, market access, and the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance.

The death toll in Haiti from Hurricane Melissa is listed as  43, of whom 10 were children, with 13 others still missing. At least 25 deaths of these deaths occurred in the southwestern coastal town of Petit-Goâve, one of the hardest hit communities, after La Digue river burst its banks and flooded nearby homes. Rescue efforts were hampered by mudslides.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports that at least ten health facilities sustained damage and that access to clean water has been compromised in multiple localities, raising concerns about waterborne disease outbreaks, such as cholera.

Petit-Goave, Haiti, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Agricultural losses are also significant, threatening food security and livelihoods in already vulnerable rural communities. Banana, sorghum, pigeon pea, maize, fruit tree, root, and tuber crops were damaged. Lots of plantain trees and bushes that grow congo peas were lost in the massive flooding and winds from Hurricane Melissa, worsening the already precarious living conditions of these households. Though this is not an immediate need it WILL impact these families for a long time. The income from growing & selling these crops helps families buy other food, pay school, etc. Households in the south will continue to suffer the residual effects of the hurricane until at least the end of the year, experiencing negative impacts to the winter season (starting in December), and possibly even the start of the spring season. This will limit the ability of farmers to hire workers or purchase seeds.

In response, the Haitian government has begun distributing seeds, tools, and essential goods to affected farmers as part of early recovery efforts.

The U.N.’s World Food Program has distributed food to more than 40,000 people. WFP Assessment Nov.25^th: Critical Gaps in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, 60% of households are relying on natural water sources or wells, often facing shortages due to broken systems, while 67% practice open defecation and only 33% use latrines—conditions that expose communities to health risks and potential disease outbreaks, underscoring the urgent need for investment in WASH infrastructure to restore safe and dignified living conditions.

ROTARY’S RESPONSE:

The Rotary Club of Léogâne, true to its mission of providing aid, assistance, and relief to populations affected by natural disasters, has collaborated with first responders, the Mayor’s Office of Léogâne and Petit-Goave, as well as Civil Protection and other civil society organizations, to adopt an emergency intervention plan for the victims of Melisssa.

Photo: Rotary

Report from PAG Fritz Pierre-Louis: In Léogâne and Petit-Goâve, unfortunately, the situation remains quite challenging. Many homes are still affected by significant mud accumulation, and the streets are flooded, with water flowing under the farms stopping the kids from getting to school. The local rivers are in dire need of dredging to alleviate some of these issues. The need for support is urgent. The local population requires assistance to help the Mayor’s offices in their efforts to clear debris from the roads and within homes, schools, and clinics.

To facilitate this recovery, essential resources are needed, including water filters, hygiene kits, wheelbarrows, shovels, and the rental of heavy equipment such as backhoe loaders, bulldozers, trucks, and loaders. Additionally, fuel is necessary to aid in the cleanup efforts, ensuring that families can restore their homes and that children can safely return to school.

Petit-Goave, Haiti, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

ROTARY DISTRICT 7020 (which includes Haiti) District Governor William Aiken: Rotary is not an abstract entity headquartered in Evanston but is instead found in the collective action of all our members and our clubs who recognize the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by hurricane Melissa, and respond as People of Action with projects and programs to address those needs in an impactful, transformative and sustainable way, using a variety of funding mechanisms at our disposal.

Rotary is addressing the critical lack of dry, safe housing and safe drinking water in the flooded South.

Key Interventions:

• Water Filtration: Deploying units to combat the cholera outbreak.
• Logistics: Using local networks to bypass damaged roads and reach Petit-Goâve.

Report on HANWASH WATER POINTS: (extract)
Prepared by Hilaire Jean Dumont LEGRAND

Consultant, Site Supervisor Engineer.

Egeder Pq Fildor / REUTERS

Hurricane Melissa caused flooding in several areas, including the municipality of Cavaillon. These floods potentially affected the hydraulic infrastructure used to supply drinking water to communities. An assessment mission was therefore conducted by HANWASH to inspect water points, analyze the damage, evaluate water quality, and identify urgent rehabilitation needs. Nine sites were targeted, but some were temporarily inaccessible due to damaged roads.  The results show that:• The majority of water points are functional, but some are affected by corrosion and contamination.• The Labiche water point is not functional.• Several water points require inspection of the borehole casing.• No water point has the necessary equipment for chlorination.• The Bricourt water point is closed.• The Gwayav point is completely non-functional. Implementing the proposed recommendations will strengthen the resilience of infrastructure and improve the quality of services offered to communities.

Hansae Resumes Production in Haiti and Eyes Expansion as Stability Improves

This article was written by Jun Chung, vice president of strategy and planning at South Korean-based textile and garment manufacturing group Hansae.
International headlines often paint Haiti as a nation gripped by crisis—from political unrest and economic hardship to uncertainty about the future and unruly crime. These stories often emphasize the struggles of families forced to make impossible choices, from keeping children in school to putting food on the table.

It was against this backdrop that I traveled to Haiti in July, carrying with me the same expectations shaped by such headlines.

What I found, however, was a reality far more nuanced. The airport in Cap-Haïtien was calm and orderly, the streets were alive with daily commerce and children in bright yellow uniforms played together during recess. International peacekeepers managed traffic quietly in the background while families and businesses went about their routines with determination. Life, community and resilience were everywhere—a sharp contrast to the images I had carried with me. These simple (but vivid) scenes reflected a society seeking normalcy and stability, step by step.

A return to work at Hansae Haiti

This sense of renewal was even more tangible inside Hansae’s Port-au-Prince factory. After the facility suspended operations in early 2024 due to a state of emergency, Hansae Haiti cautiously reopened two production lines that September. As of July 2025, six lines are now active and operating at increasing capacity.

The mood on the factory floor was unmistakable. Workers were eager, focused and visibly proud to be back at work. Several employees told me how critical this job is for their families. Attendance now exceeds 95 percent, efficiency has been improving week by week and there is a palpable sense of momentum. What struck me most was not only the discipline of the workforce but also the optimism that comes from having stable employment once again.

Encouraging shifts are happening outside the factory as well.

In June, a new U.S. ambassador was appointed, bringing with him a background of both military and diplomatic experience. His arrival has been viewed as a sign of stronger international commitment to stabilization efforts. Haiti itself is also preparing for national elections next year—an important step toward building political continuity and credibility.

On the trade front, the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act—vital to sustaining Haiti’s apparel sector—are approaching their scheduled expiration in September. Yet momentum in Washington is strongly in favor of extending these trade preference programs, with support from bipartisan lawmakers, major U.S. brands and industry associations like the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). At the same time, shifting tariff policies have made Central America increasingly competitive compared to Asia, positioning Haiti as a more attractive sourcing destination.

Looking ahead

Haiti’s history is complex, shaped by centuries of hardship and resilience. But what stood out most during my visit was the determination of its people to keep moving forward. At Hansae Haiti, we are preparing to expand operations to 16 lines by the end of 2025, building on the existing infrastructure and the commitment of our workforce.

For Hansae, Haiti is not only an additional source of production capacity, but a strategic foothold in Central America, where demand for reliable and cost-competitive manufacturing continues to grow. For the employees I met, however, it represents something more personal: stability, livelihood and the chance to build a brighter future for their families.

As my plane departed Port-au Prince, I reflected on the gap between the images so often portrayed in the news and the reality I witnessed firsthand. Haiti is indeed facing challenges, but it is also a country of remarkable resilience and potential. Step by step, progress is being made—and Hansae is proud to be part of that journey.

CLICK IMAGE TO LISTEN TO PODCAST

Nerissa Persaud Welcome to another episode of Voices of District 7020, the podcast where we amplify the stories, ideas and impacts shaping Rotary’s future across our district and beyond. I’m your host, Rotarian Nerissa, and today’s conversation is one that goes to the heart of service, vision, and legacy. Imagine a vision so bold it dares to transform the destiny of an entire nation. To ensure that every family, every child, every community has access to clean water and sanitation, that vision became HANWASH – Haiti National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative. And today we’re going to peel back the layers to understand how it all began, where it’s headed, and what it asks of each of us. In this series, I’m honored to welcome three remarkable leaders who are often referred to as the godfathers of HANWASH. Each of them bringing deep wisdom, bold conviction, and decades of service to Rotary and to the world. First, I am delighted to welcome past Rotary International President Barry Rassin, who led Rotary International during the years 2018 to 2019 and whose leadership helped ignite the HANWASH movement with clarity and courage to dream big for Haiti and for humanity. Joining him is past Rotary International Director for the years 2022 to 2024, Jeremy Hurst, who continues to shape sustainable development and strategic growth throughout our global Rotary family. And finally, I’m honored to welcome past District Governor Robert Leger, who served as District Governor for District 7020, for the Rotary year 2017 to 2918, and whose unwavering commitment to Haiti has anchored this initiative with heart from the beginning. Today, these leaders have helped shape not just a project, but a movement. Gentlemen, welcome to Voices of District 7020. How are you?

Barry Thank you Nerissa. Great to be with you. Great to talk about this fantastic project.

Nerissa So let’s start at the very beginning. And Barry, I want to start with you before HANWASH had a name or a structure. Can you take us back to that moment when the idea was born, what sparked it and who was a part of the initial conversation?

Barry Well, I’m trying to make a long story short, but it was it was a moment in time I was in Haiti. I spent half a day driving from Port au Prince north to Cap-Haitien. It was a hot day in August. We had three flat tires. We were late by the time we got there. I was staying with the President of the club and I told him, look, I got to take a shower before I go to the club. And the President said, okay, hold on a second. He got in his car and he drove away thinking, wow, what is this? When he came back and said, right after the meeting, we got to talk about this. So afterwards I asked him, what was that all about? He said, well, we only have water in our community two hours a day. So I had to go ask the city manager to turn the water on so you could take a shower. That’s a very humbling and embarrassing moment. And I swore to myself in my lifetime I wanted to make a difference and help the people of Haiti have easy access to water, like many other places in the world.

Nerissa That’s incredible. And that’s that really goes to your heart, Jeremy, when you think back to the early phase. What was the dream behind it for you personally? Is there a story that you might want to share with us?

Jeremy Sure. A Rotary wheel. We should all have great stories. And I think the amazing thing about our district is it gives us, as District Governors, when we have that opportunity, and all three of us at this table have, have had that, to really sort of experience much more than your average District Governor, we had ten countries we visited. And of course, perhaps the one that affects us most because of the challenges it has and the amazing diversity it has and the most beautiful people and the passion it has is indeed Haiti. That’s not to decry the other nine countries we have. They’re all equally amazing in their own ways. But Haiti, you tend to leave a little bit of yourself in Haiti and like Barry, you know, coming from somewhere like the Cayman Islands, which is highly developed to actually see, not only the challenges in a place like Haiti post the earthquake, but also the joie de vivre, the passion that’s there and the life that’s there and the opportunities that are there for us. So those really resonated with me and for me. My journey into HANWASH, I think everyone had a different journey, started with a glass of water. And again, when a certain President of Rotary Club, Fritz, offered me a glass of water that came through a Sawyer water filter. He went and got dirty water from the ditch, poured it in the top of a bucket, and this amazing filter cleaned it to the point where it was safe to drink. Now, I remember Michelle squeezing my hand tightly, imploring me not to drink it, but I did, and I’m still here. But that started a program that I got deeply involved with, which was, the Haiti National Water Filter Project, where we did some global grants with a thousand of these filters going to one thousand families in rural areas and I always remember the call I got from Barry I think it was in 2017 when he mentioned he’d had a conversation with Ron Denham, who was the, the Chair Emeritus of WASHRAG. The Rotary Action group for water and sanitation. And Ron, I think his words, Barry, if I remember correctly, was saying that we were being blinded by shiny objects, by just looking at these filters. And if we really wanted to do the job properly, we would have to take on something much more sustainable and substantial. And to me, that was where my journey to HANWASH started, because after that we all got together at the Atlanta convention, and, the rest is history, so they say.

Nerissa Robert, from your vantage point in Haiti and District 7020 what did you sense was possible and what did you know in your heart needed to change in order to make things happen.

Robert Okay, first of all, I have to tell you that my the impact of this program on me was amazing. And it started when Barry called me to join him in a room where there were senior officials, you know, from Rotary International. WASHRAG members and to talk to me about his vision. I listened carefully and he told me, you know, the stars are aligned. That means he told me that he’s from the Caribbean. You have the Prime Minister of Haiti still President of his club. And you will become very soon. A few weeks, because we are in the international convention in Atlanta District Governor. So we would like to start in Haiti. So let me tell you, I had like a goosebumps. You know, that’s why Haiti, you know, I know it’s very challenging my country. I know it’s so difficult and I know that we need that. He told me that the stars are aligned. We can start in Haiti because I’m from the Caribbean, from The Bahamas, I know Haiti and the Prime Minister actually, Haiti is President of his Rotary Club of Petionville. And in a few weeks he will become District Governor. So we want to start in your country. So really, I was amazed, you know, to to listen to that news, you know, and knowing that the, necessity of drinking water in Haiti. And so I asked him, what do you expect from me? He told me, can you put us in contact with the Haitian government? So what I did, because, due to my relations with, the Prime Minister at that time, a friend a colleague, it was easy to put them together. So, that was the impact that it has on me. Because I know this program can make a lot of changes. You know, about WASH in Haiti.

Nerissa So you each got a divine call from Barry prompting you on a vision. An idea. When you got the call, was there ever a moment where you were like, ‘what are you thinking?’ ‘How are we going to pull this off?’ ‘Is this going to be bigger than us?’

Robert Exactly. But you know what I did the parallel with the how PolioPlus program started 1985 in the Philippines. It started with Rotarians in the Philippines. Barry told me about that. And I remember talking to Barry you know things are very difficult you know to, do in Haiti. Barry’s answer – ‘If we have a success in Haiti, we can have a success anywhere around the world.’

Nerissa This brings me to a question for you, Barry. At what point did you realize that this wasn’t just a big deal for Haiti, but a sustainable, scalable blueprint for other nations? What made you see that?

Barry You know, right at the beginning, when we got together and started talking about it, one of my first requests was, we need to put a business plan together to show how we’re going to do this and what we’re going to do. Why? So that we could give that and share that with other countries who also have issues and challenges with water. So we wanted right from the very beginning of HANWASH to create a program that is some would say is bigger than us. But I believe in Rotary. Nothing is too big for us. I believe once you dream it, you can make it happen. And so we wanted to have that organized business structure to a program. And if you do it right and you can do it in Haiti, then we can take that to other countries and do it there as well. So I think pretty much right from the beginning, as we got together as a group, we knew it was big. I, like Robert, compared it to the Polio program. In my opinion this is the second biggest program in Haiti in Rotary first being Polio. And then here we are as one District being, crazy enough to think of a program that’s that big. And yet it’s doable. All we got to do is stay focused, stay organized and realize this isn’t just your average volunteer program. This is bigger than that. And we’ve got to think bigger than that. And we’ve got to think of it as a business so that we do it right.

Nerissa The way that this has been laid out forms a strategic blueprint – from having that vision, making the outreach, the contacts, connecting with the right partnerships. This brings me to a question for you, Robert. How did the local communities respond as the vision began to formalize? What was their participation like? What did it teach about the real movement?

Robert Let me tell you, when we contacted with the Mayor, local authorities and the beneficiaries – some beneficiaries came for the first meeting and we explained to them who we are and what is the vision with that program. You should have seen their face. They could not believe that because they are used to many NGOs or charitable organizations coming and to give them order. After a couple of years, broken, they don’t work anymore and they back to the same situation again. But that time the approach was really different. Talk to them explaining to them the vision and let them know that we’re not bringing you water. We are bringing you the way to have your own water and to manage it, to conserve it, to keep it forever. So that was the approach. Then they see that the delegations coming to them were formed by Rotarians that they know as professional. For example, the Mayor with me was a Past Assistant Governor Bob Cartier. He was his teacher. Math teacher. And my myself, they are doctors, you know. They know me. They and they see people living their professions, their work, to sit with them and talk to them about that. And this was the impact we had by that time. And let me tell you since then, I’m repeating the Mayor. He told me, you know in such area people they were always fighting. I want to be first I want to be this. You have to start first with my community. No. They say Mayor, We are waiting for Rotary. You are waiting for our turn because we built up a community action plan and we list priorities where to start and themselves, they decided that area needs more than us. That area needs first, second. So the mentality was changing. Their behaviour was changing. So the HANWASH not only brings water, drinking water, hygiene, sanitation, but changing the mentality of the both, the behaviour about how to manage a WASH system.

Jeremy That’s such an important point. If I can jump in, it really comes down to almost cultural change we’re talking about here. And, you know, that’s a lot harder to achieve than just drilling a well and doing a one year project within a Rotary Club. I want to draw this distinction it’s very much a program and a program that’s designed to be scaled as opposed to the normal type of project we may take on. And that’s one of the reasons that Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation has been so supportive of this, because if you can get a program doing exactly what Robert has talked about, you can have a much greater impact in the long term, and you can create transformational change. And those are words that those of us who know the vision statement for Rotary, and that’s what we’re looking at, is ‘lasting change in our communities globally as well as in ourselves’. I think that’s a that’s a great point Robert raises there. And, I just want to add to, you know, the other visionary aspect of this as well and just comment that we we’re aware from the start how audacious this was. And so when people said, what do you mean by that? Well, we always anticipated this would be a multi-decade project program, and a multi-billion dollar program, in terms of its cost. And, right now we’re going through some exciting applications to, try and actually become a candidate for Rotary International’s Rotary Foundation Program of Scale grant for next year. And, that’s the point we’re making there, is that this is not something that we’re going to be one and done with in a five year period, or we don’t even have a time frame for this. It’s very much like Polio. We honestly believe that Rotary is the right organization to bring this together and to bring the partners together that will be necessary for us to be able to deliver clean water, safe water to everyone in Haiti forever.

Nerissa It is incredible to listen to these stories, but not just listen to them, to understand them. What really translates to me is that you have managed, through the HANWASH program, to instill a sense of dignity. People within these communities are treated with a sense of dignity by having something as simple as water, clean water to live with, to dwell with, and to thrive with. So that sense of restored dignity can really transform communities on a cultural level, because it changes the way we think. What I would like to do is to fast forward a bit now. Much has been done, much has been carried forward. But with anything that is carried forward, stories are displaced. What are some of the misconceptions that you have found after developing, executing and trying to continue that progress, that trajectory of progress? What do you think about that, Jeremy?

Jeremy One of the biggest ones right now is how can we continue to do this at a time when Haiti is going through perhaps one of its most challenging times socially, economically and from a civil perspective? And that’s a misconception, because even though these are harrowing, terrible times for much of Haiti, so much of that is focused around Port au Prince and the outskirts of Port au Prince. And what we’re finding is in places that where we have our five communes, which are across Haiti, These are primarily peripheral to Port au Prince – Les Cayes and Cavaillon, for example, where Robert is based are in the Deep South, Leon which is another one of our successes, towards the north, and we’re able to carry on quite effectively in those areas and I know Robert can speak more to that. So part of the perception is that, this we can’t be functional at this particular point in Haiti’s history. Well, that’s a misperception, we are being functional. We are being effective, and we are bringing water to people on the ground. And, we’ll continue to do so.

Nerissa And we still need the support of all Rotarians to do that, and communities and partnerships. It doesn’t stop because of what we might see on the headlines. Robert, would you like to add something to that?

Robert Yes. you know, the media always ready to talk bad about Haiti, you know, and, you know, that we are paying our history, you know, like Cuba with 1961 Haiti is paying 1804. Okay, so it’s always ready to Haiti is bad. Haiti is bad. Haiti is bad. All right. But Port au Prince is not Haiti. And the media when anything bad happened in Port au Prince. Is that the whole country is in is burning. No, thank God. Until now. No. So we have this HANWASH program bringing hope to the people of Haiti. That’s very, very important because so many bad news in the media and you listen to good news, for example, we’re going to inaugurate very soon a project in Cavaillon. That’s a global good number two, where we bring a volume of water so big, now people are more interested to get connected to water, and they see water coming because HANWASH has done that. Rotary has done that. So that’s the advantage of this program, and that’s the way I think we can fight this constant bad news. You know, there are the media are throwing you know, that’s my opinion.

Barry Along those same lines, it’s when I’m talking to individuals about why don’t you join us and help us? Oh it’s Haiti. You know, they have too many problems. You can’t say, look, we have twenty two Rotary clubs, twelve Rotary clubs, and they’re all engaged in this. If it’s so bad, how are they able to keep doing that? They’re there. They’re working. They’re making a difference. And I love giving the story about one community member who went to a Rotarian and said, look, these are tough times in Haiti. NGOs have left our country. The one thing that gives us hope is what Rotary is doing with HANWASH to bring us water. And we can’t let that go. We’ve got to work as hard as we can to make sure that the resilient people of Haiti know that we’re there to support them and help them to do what they need to do for their future. And Rotary will always be there for that purpose.

Nerissa Absolutely. I want to have a mental picture. And for anyone listening to be able to see that picture, what does that impact look in Haiti? Despite all the misconceptions and so forth, progress is still happening. The work is still being carried out. What is the impact that we’ve managed to generate over all these years? Jeremy.

Jeremy Well, the picture I always have in my mind is of a thirteen year old girl, and we took this picture, not the front from the back, as she was struggling with a five gallon water container, barefoot up a rocky hillside. We asked, and we found out that the spring that she was going to be going to was a good thirty minutes away, thirty to forty five minutes away, depending on how fast she was able to walk. It was a dangerous path. It was a path where, friends of hers apparently had been attacked in recent weeks. To have to do that as a thirteen year old girl. Just the thought in my mind about what how that affected her life was something that will last me forever. And the inability to attend school, to get an education, to have to do this every day just to keep your family alive. And oftentimes that water was not potable. It needed to be boiled or had disease associated with it, and it was unclean. When I look in contrast that, with the communities we’re seeing and the solutions we’re seeing in communities like Cavaillon, where we’re seeing, pipelines connected to pumping stations to clean water into water systems, where that same little girl doesn’t have to walk for thirty, forty five minutes can now walk five or ten minutes from her home to a properly run water kiosk, knowing she’s getting clean water. That’s the image that lasts in my mind. And that, to me, is what we’re doing and what we why we need to keep on doing that.

Nerissa That dignity is priceless. Robert, what are some of those economic impacts that shifted as a consequence of HANWASH?

Robert Yes, there is an impact. For example, the National Water Regulator, DINEPA, changed the way they want now to have the water points. Before there was a manual pump you pumping. But now they say no, we have sun. We need to have the hybrid system. And so that’s why now the program we had before we called, we used to call it Adopt-A-Well. Now we are going to call it Adopt-A-Water-Point. They are going to align with the DINEPA structure new criteria that mean the people can have water, based on the sun and the solar system. In case of the rainy season, they will still have the pump, but we have more sun than rain. So we noticed that people are using this energy to charge their phones. They have more water, they can have a small garden area, and the economy is building up around this water point. So that’s another approach, another change that this program has carried.

Nerissa What about in terms of job creation, in terms of what the potential of this initiative does in terms of bringing jobs outside of the water that it bridges?

Nerissa Barry.

Barry My vision is you bring a community water. Now the children don’t have to spend all that time going to get water. They can actually go to school, they can get an education and we can help with that. So we help the education of the community that helps develop the community. The mother, instead of getting water, she becomes an entrepreneur. She starts selling goods to support her family. So now you’ve got the education going. You’ve got the economy growing. You’re changing the entire culture of that community into a future that really looks very positive.

Nerissa It’s clear to see HANWASH has become an engine. It started with a vision, but traveled into communities to bridge a very real need. Water. But let’s think about the future for a bit. Barry – when you look ahead five, ten plus years from now, what do you see or hope to be the future of HANWASH?

Barry I see us moving, adding to our program of bringing water, sanitation and hygiene to communities, to adding the educational grants to help the kids get the education, to help develop the schools, to help develop teachers. I see us helping with growing the economies. I see us continuing to work with those community committees so that they can identify what their biggest needs are, and we can, as Rotary, help them in the ways that help them build and develop their communities for the long term. I see this as much bigger than just water. Right now, that’s what we’re looking at. But when I look out into the future, I see us transforming the country into a country that all of us are going to be incredibly proud of, and we can talk about some other country in the Western Hemisphere being the poorest.

Nerissa Jeremy. What do you think it will take to keep the mission alive? Because we have the dream. We have the vision, and we have the continuity, the heart of it. And who will need to help lead to that next chapter.

Jeremy Continued passion of District 7020 and its amazing Rotarians and Rotaractors, I think in a nutshell, I honestly believe that it’s our super District that drives this. We are they are alongside and of course, a key component of that super district is the amazing Rotarians, Rotaractors and Rotary leaders within Haiti. And by the way, I just want to mention that this is a great opportunity for us to develop leaders. And we’ve seen that through, how much already with, with Rotarians who have really risen up because of HANWASH within Haiti. In fact, I think I’m right in saying, Robert, not many people may know this, but at this crazy time in Haiti’s history, Rotary is not only stabilized, but in fact to see new clubs and is growing within Haiti. That’s just a testimony to not only, the amazing organization we have, but also partly to the role of HANWASH, which has been that beacon, that guiding light, I think, and that that hope, that North Star, to so many of us. So I think that passion is what’s key. But I also think we need to be very pragmatic as well. Barry and I and Robert have talked long about this, about the need for a business approach to this. And Barry mentioned a business plan. One of the things we are doing right now, as we, look at where we go, we’re going through a pause and reflect process reviewing where we’ve come in the past five, six years, reviewing which direction we need to go in, what we’re doing well, what we can do better, and how we need to adapt and course correct. And that’s such an important component of any organization. So what we will be seeing by the end of this year is a whole new business plan, that deals with the not only the immediate needs, the immediate programs, the immediate goals over the next three to five years, but also a ten to thirty year business plan because this will be, as we said, multi decade. And the goal is for us to in ten years time, perhaps twenty percent of the people in Haiti, of all the communities in Haiti will have clean, safe water. But in twenty years time, we think that could be seventy percent and in thirty years time, one hundred percent. So that’s the goal. We have big, big goals, big hopes, big aims. But we also have a really big District and big Rotarians and Rotaractors behind us.

Nerissa We definitely have the brains. We have the intelligence, we have the know how. We have the spirit to make it happen. Robert, my last question is for you from a generational lens, how do we prepare Haitian youth and communities to be stewards of this mission?

Robert Yeah, that’s a very nice question. The new generation, you know, when you listen to the radio, the news, they have to change their behavior. They have to change if they want even our country to survive. That means in the same way we offer water, drinking water, we offer also leadership training. And we go to schools. We talk about leadership. We go to the communities. We talk about leadership, responsibility, you know, and so I think that’s the way we need to move. So the youth, they are not discouraged with what’s happening. And those programs that we have with HANWASH program giving hope, that’s one step, toward that future that we need to see in Haiti.

Nerissa Barry, do you have any parting thoughts for us?

Barry You know, I think we have to maintain our passion. We have to stay focused. We’ve got to make sure we continue working with the business thinking this isn’t just a Rotary project. This is a long term transformational program to help a country move forward. And once you appreciate that, then you realize what you have to do to make this happen for the long term. So, the more help we get, the faster it goes and the better we do. So I ask anybody who hears this, think about how you are going to support our HANWASH program in Haiti.

Nerissa I am incredibly grateful for the time that each of you have contributed to share in the Heart of HANWASH. It’s certainly been a powerful conversation, and as we have learned, HANWASH is more than a Rotary project. It is a call to courage, to commitment to connection. And if we can sum up, it is driven by a lot of amazing people behind it. Leaders who dare to imagine a better future and took the steps to make it real. And to our listeners across District 7020 and beyond, this is your movement too. the future of HANWASH depends on every one of us – our voices, our actions, our resolve. Whether you’re in the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti or any of our beautiful islands. HANWASH needs your story. It needs your support, and it needs your spirit. Until next time keep believing, and keep building a Rotary that truly Unites us for Good. I’m Rotarian Nerissa and this has been Voices of District 7020.