Water connects us all. From a river in a remote forest to a stream running past a city neighborhood, freshwater ecosystems sustain humanity. Yet these waters are increasingly under strain. Pollution, overuse, and climate pressures remind us that protecting freshwater is a global challenge. Rotary has always believed change begins within communities. Now we are working to see how far the impact of community action can travel. When local service is connected, measured, and shared, it becomes a force that extends beyond geography and borders.
A water project led by the Rotary Club of Panamá Nordeste exemplifies this idea. The project served Indigenous communities in Panama’s Darién province, a region accessible only by canoe and small boat. With no roads, limited electricity, and reliance on untreated river water, families faced serious health risks. To reach these communities, Rotarians had to rethink how supplies and services could be delivered. Working with a partner club in the United States and a specialized water organization, they introduced solar-powered water treatment systems for an area without access to an electrical grid. Local leaders were trained to operate and maintain the system, ensuring that clean water would continue flowing long after installation crews departed.
The results were immediate. Children who once missed school due to illness returned to classrooms. No longer needing to haul water from rivers, adults gained time and strength to work and support their families. What began as a water project became a foundation for healthier, more resilient communities. This is how we extend our reach: combine local leadership with global partnerships, technical expertise, and long-term thinking.
That same spirit is at the heart of Rotary’s partnership with the United Nations Environment Program through the Community Action for Fresh Water initiative. Around the world, Rotary and Rotaract clubs are restoring waterways, protecting wetlands, and safeguarding vital freshwater sources. By collecting data to map and measure this work, we can better understand its impact and show how local service contributes to worldwide solutions. Data is not an end. It is a tool that helps us learn and improve so that Rotary’s service delivers real, measurable change. Each project entered and each waterway restored adds to a shared story of stewardship and responsibility. You can learn more and get involved at communityactionforfreshwater.org.
As we observe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month, I encourage you to reflect on the freshwater systems that sustain your community and the role Rotary can play in protecting them. When we connect local action to a global vision, we strengthen Rotary’s ability to make lasting change. Together, by extending our reach and working side by side, we truly Unite for Good.
Rotary Theme for March
What Is your Rotary Club doing to focus on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in March 2026? Clean water, sanitation and good hygiene is a human right.
When people, especially children, have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, they lead healthier and more successful lives. We don’t just build wells and walk away. Rotary members integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into education projects. When children learn about disease transmission and practice good hygiene, they miss less school. And they can take those lessons home to their families, expanding our impact.
Clean water is a basic human right that many are often denied. There are 2.5 billion people in the world that lack access to improved sanitation and 748 million people that don’t have clean drinking water. Nearly 1400 children die each day from diseases caused by lack of sanitation and unsafe water. When people have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives.
In 2015, the United Nations introduced their new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty and promote prosperity while protecting the environment and addressing climate change. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on water and sanitation encourages us to address universal access to drinking water and sanitation along with improved water management to protect ecosystems and build resiliency. *
Rotary members are committed to reaching the water and sanitation SDG through projects like building wells, installing rainwater harvesting systems, and teaching community members how to maintain new infrastructure.
During March, Rotary Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month, we’re celebrating our commitment to create healthier communities by supplying clean water and sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Supporting our Community
Edmonton's Food Bank
Our crew volunteered at the Food Bank this month. We were tasked with our favourite job....sorting! 🧺
It's safe to say we are a very efficient sorting crew - we get through those bins fast.💪⚡️📦
We are always happy to lend a hand and support our community. 🤝❤️
A Mission of Many Hands: Edmonton West Rotarians in Guatemala ~ by Fred Kraft
Every Rotary mission has its own character—its own rhythm, its own challenges, its own moments that stay with you long after the bags are unpacked. But this year’s medical mission to San Rafael, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, held from March 12 to 23, stood out even among the many journeys our club has taken. It was broader in scope, deeper in collaboration, and richer in human connection than ever before.
At the heart of the mission was a familiar leader: Dr. Ben Doz, an optometrist who has guided more than 25 eyecare missions to this region. Ben’s long-standing relationships in Huehuetenango have built trust, continuity, and a shared sense of purpose with our Guatemalan Rotary partners. But this year, he led something new—a more comprehensive medical team designed to meet a wider range of community needs.
The Canadian contingent included an impressive mix of professionals:
1 Optometrist
1 Ophthalmologist
1 Medical Doctor
1 Registered Nurse
1 Chiropractor
12 logistical and technical support volunteers
They partnered seamlessly with a Guatemalan Rotarian medical group, including:
1 Optometrist
2 Ophthalmologists
1 Physiotherapist
1 Dentist
A full complement of local logistical and technical support
And none of this would have been possible without the Rotary Club of Barillas, whose members handled accommodations, clinic facilities, translators, and transportation. They welcomed us with a warm barbecue—an early reminder of the hospitality and partnership that would define the mission.
San Rafael is a region of linguistic diversity. Some residents speak Spanish, while others speak only a local Mayan dialect. This meant that both Spanish and Mayan translators were essential to every aspect of care. Communication required patience, creativity, and teamwork—but it also created some of the most meaningful
interactions of the mission. Despite language barriers, gratitude needs no translation. Smiles, hugs, and heartfelt gestures conveyed everything that words could not.
Even with decades of missions behind us, the sheer demand for care this year was striking. Families arrived long before sunrise. Some had walked for days. Many waited hours—quietly, patiently, hopefully. For many, this was their first time ever seeing a doctor. We encountered undiagnosed chronic illnesses, advanced
conditions that had gone untreated for years and patients relying on home remedies because no other options existed. With the expanded team, we were able to offer a wider range of services than in past missions.
Together, the Canadian and Guatemalan teams provided:
Eye Care which included comprehensive eye examinations, prescription eyeglasses and reading glasses, the treatment of optical diseases as well as cataract and pterygium surgeries.
Dental Care consisting of fluoride treatments, dental extractions and oral hygiene education.
Family Medicine including chronic disease management, acute illness treatment, preventative care and health education on nutrition, hygiene, and infection prevention.
Physical Medicine which consisted of chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments as well as pain management
strategies and mobility support.
Health Education topics included handwashing and hygiene, basic nutrition, infection prevention and chronic
disease awareness.
The final statistics of the mission tell a story of extraordinary effort and collaboration.
Eye Examinations 1006
Prescription Glasses 278
Reading Glasses 220
Family Physician patients 232
Attended Group Health Sessions 90
Cataract Surgeries 24
Pterygium surgeries 36
Physio/Chiro patients 416
Dental Patients 200
But numbers alone can’t capture the full picture. They don’t show the elderly woman who cried when she saw clearly for the first time in years. They don’t show the father who walked for two days with his daughter so she could receive dental care. They don’t show the quiet dignity of people waiting patiently in line, often for hours, without complaint.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the mission was how seamlessly the Canadian and Guatemalan teams worked together. Professional roles blended naturally. Volunteers stepped in wherever needed. Translators became cultural bridges. Local Rotarians became family. This wasn’t just a Canadian mission delivered abroad—it was a true Rotary partnership, built on mutual respect and shared purpose.
Every volunteer came home with stories—small moments that captured the spirit of the mission. These are the moments that remind us why we serve.
A child giggling as she tried on her first pair of glasses
A patient clasping a volunteer’s hands in thanks
A translator patiently helping a Mayan-speaking elder describe symptoms she had lived with for years
The camaraderie of long days, shared meals, and the collective satisfaction of making a difference
This mission was more than a medical campaign—it was a window into the realities faced by communities with limited access to healthcare. It was a reminder that the simplest interventions can change lives. The resilience, gratitude, and quiet strength of the people of San Rafael left a deep impression on every member. And it reaffirmed something we all know but sometimes forget: Rotary’s work matters.
As we reflect on this mission, one thing is clear: the need is great, but so is the impact we can make when we work together. The success of this expanded medical team opens the door to future missions with even broader services and deeper collaboration.
Rotary’s motto—Service Above Self—is easy to say. But in San Rafael, over those eleven days in March, it was lived fully, humbly, and wholeheartedly. And that is something every Rotarian can be proud of. ❤️
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Ann Orsini
March 14
Anne Mueller
March 15
James Johnston
April 24
Wayne Malouin
April 24
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Annie
March 15
Join Date
Mike Ryan
March 17, 1998
28 years
James Johnston
April 1, 1986
40 years
David Weir
April 11, 2016
10 years
Wendy Boje
April 17, 2023
3 years
Get to Know Rotary Event
An informal introduction to Rotary and the opportunities it offers for meaningful community service. We encourage members to bring a friend and introduce them to Rotary.
The Evening’s Agenda
We’re keeping things relaxed and social. You can expect:
Short, Impactful Presentations: Hear real stories from about how Rotary has changed their perspective and their community.
Great Food: Complimentary appetizers will be provided to keep the conversation fueled.
Cash Bar: Grab a drink, settle in, and get to know some new faces.
Q&A: No "membership pitches"—just honest answers to your questions.
Event Details
Atmosphere: Casual, friendly, and collaborative.
Who should attend: Anyone curious about community service, professional networking, or leadership development.
Come as you are, bring a friend, and discover how you can turn your passion for doing good into a lasting legacy.
Thanks to the outstanding efforts of Spencer Mueller, we are thrilled to announce that our annual golf fundraiser is now completely full!
The continued success of this tournament is a direct reflection of the dedication, enthusiasm, and hands-on involvement of our members. Your positive attitude and team spirit create an exceptional experience for our golfers—one they genuinely look forward to year after year. It’s no surprise so many participants return, thanks to the welcoming and well-organized event we build together.
🎁 Next Focus: Auction Items Needed
As we shift into the next phase of preparation, our focus turns to building an exciting silent and live auction.
We kindly ask all members to tap into your networks—friends, family, colleagues, and local businesses—to help secure auction items. Every contribution, big or small, helps make a meaningful impact.
🍷 Member Contribution Reminder:
Each member is also asked to please donate two bottles of wine for the event.
Together, we can make this year’s tournament not only sold out—but truly unforgettable.
