By Our Reporter 

Serere District – Joy and jubilation filled the air at Angole Primary School in Kyere Sub-county as the Rotary Club of Soroti Central officially commissioned a transformative multi-million shilling Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project, designed to uplift the lives of learners—particularly girls—and the surrounding community.

The project, themed “Empowering Girls through Water, Menstrual Hygiene Management, and Sanitation,” was the result of a strategic collaboration between the Rotary Club of Soroti Central, Soroti Youth Development Initiative (SOYODI), and the Rotary Club of San Jose D5170 from the United States. The initiative includes the construction of a modern washroom block for girls and the drilling of a borehole that now provides clean water to over 1,200 learners and nearby residents.

This project stemmed from a comprehensive needs assessment conducted across schools in Soroti and Serere districts. The findings revealed an urgent need to support girls who often missed school during menstruation due to the lack of private, hygienic spaces and menstrual supplies.

The project was structured around four key objectives:

1. Menstrual Hygiene Awareness: Educational workshops were conducted for learners, teachers, and parents to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene management (MHM), aiming to reduce stigma and foster open dialogue.

2. Sanitation Infrastructure Development: A purpose-built menstrual hygiene facility was constructed at Angole Primary School, offering privacy, dignity, and a safe space for girls to manage menstruation without missing school.

3. Empowerment Through Skills Training: Both girls and boys were trained in making reusable sanitary towels, soap, and Vaseline—essentials often unavailable or unaffordable in rural households.

4. Access to Clean Water: A new borehole was drilled, providing a safe and consistent water source for both school and community use, reducing waterborne diseases and improving hygiene standards.

Valued at $30,300 (approximately UGX 113 million), this was the first Rotary global grant implemented by the Rotary Club of Soroti Central in partnership with an international club.

Rotarian Simon Jude Ojele, the Immediate Past President and the project’s primary contact, expressed immense pride in the achievement.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved with this grant,” he said. “But we’re not stopping here. Our vision is to secure more global grants and bring additional schools on board. Every girl child deserves dignity, every learner deserves clean water, and every community deserves a healthy learning environment.”

Ojele extended heartfelt appreciation to SOYODI for project implementation and to the Serere district leadership for their oversight and support. He also applauded fellow Rotarians and stakeholders for their unwavering dedication.

Chris Ochaloi, the current President of the Rotary Club of Soroti Central, congratulated the team and announced the club’s next initiative—a community tree-planting campaign to promote environmental sustainability, in alignment with Rotary International’s growing focus on environmental conservation.

“We will soon launch a tree-planting initiative as part of our environmental conservation efforts,” said Ochaloi. “This initiative aligns with Rotary’s new focus on environmental sustainability and has the support of our District Governor.”

Guest of honor Anne Nkutu, District Governor for Rotary District 9214, emphasized the importance of sustainable interventions in rural education and hygiene.

“Rotary’s goal is to create lasting change, and projects like this are a step in the right direction,” she said. “Every child, regardless of where they live, deserves a chance to learn in a safe, supportive environment.”

Nkutu commended the Soroti Central team for their commitment and encouraged other Rotary clubs to undertake similar community-driven efforts.

The newly commissioned washroom and borehole are more than just infrastructure—they symbolize hope, dignity, and opportunity. The improved sanitation facilities are expected to enhance learning conditions, reduce absenteeism, curb waterborne diseases, and boost the confidence of young learners, particularly girls.

As clean water gushed from the borehole and the new washroom opened its doors, it was clear that this project marked a significant milestone for Serere District—a testament to what collaborative action, community engagement, and compassionate leadership can achieve.