SWA -7610

03/07/2026

Exciting news! Rotary Club of West Springfield Rotarian Fred Kalema-Musoke attended the commissioning of the SWA Water Project at the Kabule Health Facility III. Members from the Rotary Club of Muyenga also participated in this joyous occasion. To learn more, visit our website: www.swa7610.org

03/05/2026

The support of Rotary clubs is the lifeblood of the Rotary District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance (SWA) and the communities it serves. Through funding, volunteer efforts, and advocacy, Rotary clubs help bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions to communities that desperately need them. This support not only improves the health and quality of life for individuals but also strengthens schools, hospitals, and local economies, creating a long-term, sustainable impact. By partnering with SWA, Rotary clubs empower people to thrive, giving them the tools and resources to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities—one project at a time. Their generosity, drive, and global service exemplify the very heart of Rotary.

Special thanks to the following Rotary clubs for their dedication and partnership:
The Rotary Club of Alexandria, Virginia, Annandale Rotary Club Rotary Club of Bailey's Crossroads, VA Rotary Club of Dulles International Airport Dunn Loring- Merrifield Rotary Club Rotary Club of Fairfax, Va., Inc. Fredericksburg Rotary Club Rappahannock Rotary Club Rappahannock-Fredericksburg Rotary Club of Falls Church VA Rotary Club of Sterling Rotary Club of Great Falls, Virginia Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Club Rotary Club of Leesburg Virginia Rotary Club of Manassas Bull Run Rotary Club McLean Rotary Club Rotary Club of Tysons Corner Rotary Club of Vienna Virginia Rotary Club of West Springfield North Stafford Rotary Club Rotary Club of Stafford Gainesville-Haymarket Rotary Club and Crystal City-Pentagon Rotary Club

03/05/2026

Imagine walking miles every day just to bring home water for your family. For millions of people around the world, this is daily life.

At the Rotary meeting at the Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston, District Global Grant Chair Andrew Wade and Tysons Rotarian Tim Long shared inspiring updates about the work of the Rotary District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance (SWA) and the life-changing impact of Rotary-supported water projects.

From The Gambia to Uganda and Zambia, sustainable clean water systems are transforming communities — improving health, allowing children to attend school, and giving families new opportunities to thrive.

Rotary’s water initiatives reflect the organization’s commitment to sustainable solutions that improve lives both internationally and within our own communities.

Through collaboration, global grants, and dedicated volunteers, Rotary continues to bring hope and lasting change — one community, one well, one life at a time. Our thanks to Andrew Wade of the Rotary Club of Dulles International Airport and Tim Long of the Rotary Club of Tysons Corner for sharing their experiences and updates.

Clean water is life. And together, we are making a difference. For more information, visit the SWA website: www.SWA7610.org

02/16/2026

Rising Above the Sand: Progress You Can See, Change You Can Feel. Under the West African sun, a concrete structure now stretches into the sky in coastal The Gambia. Steel supports, scaffolding, and newly poured pillars mark a powerful moment in the Strategic Water Alliance (SWA) Global Grant project: the water tower is no longer a plan — it is becoming reality.

Where bare ground once stood, workers now move with purpose around reinforced columns designed to carry thousands of gallons of clean water high above the village. Elevation is critical — gravity will allow water to flow consistently throughout the community without pumps or electricity, ensuring reliability even during outages or dry periods. This means sustainability, not dependency.

Nearby, villagers gather under a tree, sitting together in conversation. Community meetings like this are essential to long-term success. Clean water projects are strongest when the people who will rely on them help guide them. Ownership creates protection, maintenance, and pride.

During this visit, Rotarian Jill Lehman-Shaw and local Banjul Rotarians witnessed firsthand how progress is moving from engineering into human impact.

When completed, this tower will quietly reshape daily life: Children will no longer start their day walking long distances for water. Schools will see better attendance and concentration. Clinics will improve sanitation and reduce infection. Families will avoid preventable waterborne disease. Women and men will gain hours each day for work, education, and leadership

The most important change won’t be visible in concrete or pipes — it will be measured in time restored, health protected, and dignity strengthened. This is what global partnership looks like: many clubs, many hands, one outcome — a village preparing to live differently. The tower is rising. And with it, opportunity rises too. Visit our website to learn more: www.SWA7610.org


Rotary Club Banjul Rotary District 7610

01/31/2026

Service in Action, Witnessed Firsthand
Rotarian Jill Lehman-Shaw from the Gainesville-Haymarket Rotary Club recently visited the clean water project site in The Gambia—and her presence meant everything. Site visits like this are powerful. They connect Rotary’s global mission to real lives, real families, and real progress on the ground. Jill was able to see the work unfolding firsthand, including the pouring of the water tower footers—the foundation that will soon support reliable, life-changing access to clean water.

For the Rotary Club Banjul community, her visit was a reminder that they are seen, supported, and not alone. For Rotary, it’s a living example of Service Above Self, turning generosity into sustainable impact across borders. This is what global partnership looks like—Rotarians showing up, standing together, and helping build a healthier future, one community at a time.

Our gratitude to all of our SWA participating clubs who are truly making an impact and a difference.

01/30/2026

A Strong Foundation for Hope: Clean Water Progress in The Gambia

Exciting progress is underway in The Gambia as SWA’s clean water project reaches a critical milestone: the footers for the new water tower are being poured. For the community it represents something far more powerful—the beginning of lasting, reliable access to clean water.

For families in the surrounding area, this progress means:
-Reliable access to clean, safe water, reducing waterborne illnesses
-Less time spent collecting water, especially for women and children
-Improved health outcomes, hygiene, and sanitation
-More time for school, work, and economic opportunity
-Greater community resilience, even during dry seasons

Clean water is not just a resource—it’s a foundation for health, dignity, and hope. With a dependable water tower, clinics can operate more effectively, children can attend school consistently, and families can focus on building stronger futures. Rotarian Jill of the Gainesville-Haymarket Rotary Club recently visited and shared these amazing photos.

01/30/2026

The District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance (SWA) is delighted to share an exciting update on our Global Grant – Provision of a Reliable Source of Water at Kabule Health Center II in Mityana, Uganda. This vital project was successfully completed last year and is already making a profound difference in the lives of patients, families, and healthcare workers.

Even more encouraging, careful project management resulted in remaining funds, which The Rotary Foundation approved for a water pipe extension outside the health center. This expansion significantly increases the project’s reach by providing clean, safe water to the surrounding community. As a result, the number of beneficiaries will exceed the original estimates outlined in the Global Grant application—without impacting the health center’s operations.

At Kabule Health Center II, reliable water access is transforming daily care delivery and improving health outcomes. The photos alone vividly tell the story of this project’s powerful and lasting impact. Plans are now underway to formally commission the project on Saturday, February 21, a meaningful moment of celebration for all involved. We are honored that Rotarian Fred Kalema-Musoke of the Rotary Club of West Springfield has been invited to attend and represent SWA and the Rotary Club of West Springfield, our international partners in this initiatives. Our thanks to all of our participating Rotary Clubs!

Rotary District 7610 Rotary Club of Manassas Rappahannock Rotary Club Rotary Club of Vienna Virginia Rotary Club of Sterling Annandale Rotary Club Rotary Club of Fairfax, Va., Inc. Rotary Club of Stafford The Rotary Club of Alexandria, Virginia Annandale Rotary Club Rotary Club of Bailey's Crossroads, VA Crystal City-Pentagon Rotary Club Rotary Club of Fairfax, Va., Inc. Rotary Club of Great Falls, Virginia Rotary Club of Falls Church VA Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Club Rotary Club of Leesburg Virginia Rotary Club of Manassas McLean Rotary Club Rappahannock Rotary Stafford Sterling Tysons Vienna Dulles Airport Rotary Club of West Springfield

01/30/2026

01/23/2026

The support of Rotary clubs is the lifeblood of the Rotary District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance (SWA) and the communities it serves. Through funding, volunteer efforts, and advocacy, Rotary clubs help bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions to communities that desperately need them. This support not only improves the health and quality of life for individuals but also strengthens schools, hospitals, and local economies, creating a long-term, sustainable impact. By partnering with SWA, Rotary clubs empower people to thrive, giving them the tools and resources to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities—one project at a time. Their generosity, drive, and global service exemplify the very heart of Rotary.

Special thanks to the following Rotary clubs for their dedication and partnership:
The Rotary Club of Alexandria, Virginia, Annandale Rotary Club Rotary Club of Bailey's Crossroads, VA Rotary Club of Dulles International Airport Dunn Loring- Merrifield Rotary Club Rotary Club of Fairfax, Va., Inc. Fredericksburg Rotary Club Rappahannock Rotary Club Rappahannock-Fredericksburg Rotary Club of Falls Church VA Rotary Club of Sterling Rotary Club of Great Falls, Virginia Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Club Rotary Club of Leesburg Virginia Rotary Club of Manassas Bull Run Rotary Club McLean Rotary Club Rotary Club of Tysons Corner Rotary Club of Vienna Virginia Rotary Club of West Springfield North Stafford Rotary Club Rotary Club of Stafford Gainesville-Haymarket Rotary Club and Crystal City-Pentagon Rotary Club

01/23/2026

Learn more about the important works and projects of the Rotary District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance and our participating Rotary Clubs. Visit our website: www.SWA7610.org

01/08/2026

What an incredible time it’s been for the Rotary District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance (SWA)! Our passionate collaboration of participating Rotary Clubs is making waves by tackling water and sanitation projects. Our current project is in The Gambia, Africa.

Why is Clean Water So Crucial?
Health and Hygiene: Access to clean water reduces the risk of waterborne diseases, which can devastate communities. By providing safe drinking water, we're not just quenching thirst—we're saving lives!

Economic Empowerment: Access to clean water is vital for agricultural productivity and the growth of local economies. When communities spend less time collecting water and more time working or attending school, they can thrive!

Follow us and watch the ripple effect of how access to clean water, better hygiene, and sanitation is transforming lives.



Our thanks to our participating Rotary District 7610 SWA Rotary Clubs! Dunn Loring- Merrifield Rotary Club Rotary Club of Fairfax, Va., Inc.Bull Run Rotary Club Rotary Club of Manassas Rotary Club of Stafford Rappahannock Rotary Club Rotary Club of Vienna Virginia Rotary Club of Sterling Annandale Rotary Club The Rotary Club of Alexandria, Virginia Rotary Club of Bailey's Crossroads, VA Rotary Club of Dulles International Airport Dunn Loring- Merrifield Rotary Club Rotary Club of Great Falls, Virginia Fredericksburg Rotary Club Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston Rotary Club of Falls Church VA North Stafford Rotary Club Rotary Club of Leesburg Virginia Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Club Rotary Club of Tysons Corner Rotary Club of West Springfield Rotary Club of McLean Fredericksburg Rotary Club Gainesville-Haymarket Rotary Club Crystal City-Pentagon Rotary Club Banjul

10/31/2025

On October 4, Rotarians and friends gathered at Jones Point Park in Alexandria, Virginia, and many others joined virtually to support the Rotary District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance (SWA) Walk for Water. This year’s walk was held in honor of Nancy Van Gulick Cooper, a beloved member of the The Rotary Club of Alexandria, Virginia whose heart and passion were deeply devoted to this cause. Nancy’s compassion and commitment to service continue to inspire all who work to make clean water accessible to every person. May her memory forever live on in the impact of the projects she helped champion.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the participating Rotary clubs that support the District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance and to Rick Bailer of the Rotary Club of Alexandria for his leadership in organizing this meaningful event. Special thanks to the Arlington Rotary Club VA for participating! Your dedication exemplifies Rotary’s spirit of collaboration and service above self.
Together, we walk so others can live — one step, one drop, one life at a time.




The Rotary Club of Alexandria, Virginia