The WASH Foundation’s Global Program Officers, Ashley Lovell and Francisco Juarez Lopez, recently joined our Dominican team, Eduardo Liendo and Susan Mercedes, to conduct two crucial WASH capacity trainings in the Dominican Republic. These trainings focused on expanding the WASH-in-Schools Program and enhancing WASH training methodologies. They also participated in the Delivering Effective WASH Training (DEWT) hosted by CAWST (Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology), alongside organizations like UNICEF, Red Cross, Rotary Club, and Ministries of Education and Health.
WASH-in-Schools: Expanding Our Reach
The 3rd annual WASH-in-Schools teacher training in Bavaro achieved significant milestones. Ten new schools joined the program for 2024-2026, with 30 schoolteachers and members of the Dominican Ministry of Health receiving comprehensive training. A 2-day specialized workshop covered crucial topics, including water resources, the transmission route of germs, the practice of proper hygiene and sanitation, along with Menstrual Hygiene Management. Teachers from each of the 10 schools created action plans for the delivery of WASH education, setting clear goals for each participating school. This expansion brings the program to 20 Dominican schools, substantially increasing its impact on student health and education. The teacher action plans serve as a foundation for establishing goals and objectives for each school participating in the WASH-in-Schools Program.
Delivering Effective WASH Training (DEWT)
In partnership with CAWST, a four-day training on DEWT methodologies was conducted. The training benefited 18 representatives from national government and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with seven institutions working in the WASH sector receiving specialized training. Additionally, four members of The WASH Foundation improved their skills in effective teaching and knowledge sharing. We’re honored that CAWST has selected us as their primary Caribbean implementation partner, reflecting our dedication to improving health through locally-driven initiatives.
Witnessing the Impact of The WASH Foundation
To showcase the tangible results of our WASH-in-Schools Program, we visited our program schools demonstrating our impact to members of CAWST. The team visited three participating schools in Bavaro, presented on-ground projects, and heard beneficiary testimonials. These visits demonstrated the real-world impact of their holistic approach to WASH initiatives and provided an opportunity for CAWST to witness firsthand the positive impact that our program is making towards improved community health.
Looking Ahead
By empowering local educators, collaborating with international partners, and focusing on sustainable solutions, we’re working towards our vision of a world where people thrive through improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene resources.
Our work in the Dominican Republic is just one example of how The WASH Foundation is striving to strengthen policies, systems, infrastructure, financing, and health-seeking behaviors while empowering women and underserved communities.
