Watch Eduardo Cameron, Dominican Country Manager, and Ashley Lovell, Global Program Officer, share how The WASH Foundation is transforming educational environments in the Dominican Republic through WASH–in–Schools, Capacity Building, and Menstrual Hygiene programs. Their first-hand stories highlight the real impact of local leadership and community engagement.
Why WASH Capacity Building Matters in the Dominican Republic
The WASH Foundation, in partnership with the Center for Affordable Water & Sanitation Technology (CAWST), is advancing its mission to improve health and transform lives by strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) capacity in the Dominican Republic and across Latin America and the Caribbean. This partnership, running from 2024 to 2026, is focused on empowering local leaders, expanding access to safe water and sanitation, and fostering sustainable community transformation.
Training Local WASH Champions: The Power of Training-of-Trainers
Last year, The WASH Foundation’s Dominican team became certified as WASH Training-of-Trainer (TOT) facilitators, a milestone that enables them to lead and replicate effective WASH education throughout the region. In 2024, team members Eduardo and Susan delivered two Delivering Effective WASH Trainings (DEWT), reaching 15 participants from Dominican WASH NGOs and government institutions. By the end of 2025, a total of 50 professionals will be trained, each equipped to share inclusive and participatory WASH methods in their own organizations and communities.
Advancing Menstrual Hygiene Management for Girls and Adolescents
The WASH Foundation is committed to breaking down barriers and promoting open, respectful conversations about menstrual health, especially among girls and adolescents. This year, the team is delivering two Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) trainings, hosting an online MHM Learning Exchange, and participating in a three-day in-person workshop for CAWST’s Latin American partners in Honduras. Over 30 MHM sessions have already been conducted in schools and vulnerable communities, directly reaching more than 2,000 adolescents and providing essential sanitary supplies.
WASH in Schools: Creating Safe, Healthy Learning Environments
Since 2019, The WASH Foundation has worked to create safe, healthy, and dignified learning spaces through its WASH-in-Schools program. This comprehensive approach includes:
- Teacher Training: Empowering educators with knowledge and tools to promote good hygiene practices.
- Infrastructure Improvements: Installing and repairing handwashing stations and bathrooms—over 64 sinks, 60 toilets, and 20 handwashing stations to date.
- Essential Supplies: Donating more than 15,000 bars of soap in partnership with Clean the World, directly benefiting over 20,000 students.
- Community Engagement: Hosting workshops for students’ parents to reinforce and support healthy habits at home and in the community.
Expanding Impact Through Strategic Partnerships
Through collaboration with CAWST, The WASH Foundation has delivered workshops to organizations such as the Red Cross, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Education, training more than 30 WASH coordinators from public institutions and NGOs. The goal is to empower these leaders to implement effective WASH education and interventions in their own communities, creating a network of skilled advocates for health and hygiene.
Looking Ahead: Building a Regional Knowledge-Sharing Platform
The long-term objective of the TWF- CAWST partnership is to position The WASH Foundation as a leading expert in WASH capacity building throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. By consolidating skills and establishing a local knowledge-sharing platform, the Foundation is strengthening the Dominican national WASH network and fostering collaboration between governmental and non-governmental partners.
Join Us and Be Part of the Transformation
Our journey is just beginning. With your support, we can continue to expand our reach, empower more communities, and ensure that every child, family, and community has access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Together, we are improving health and transforming lives—one training, one school, and one community at a time.
