Nurturing Resilience: A Systems Approach to WASH in Malawi
MEETING FOR THE WEEK OF June 1, 2026
This Meeting at a Glance:
Program: Nurturing Resilience: A Systems Approach to WASH in Malawi
Speaker: Heidi Rickels
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WEEKLY FUNNY WITH SHAGS
We believe laughter is an important part of life, and we should all make time to laugh a little. This segment of our meeting is meant to tickle you just enough. These funnies are curated by member Steven "Shags" Shagrin!
Charles Dickens walks into a bar and order a martini.
Bartender looks at him and asks: olive or twist?
Inspiration
The Ministry of Awe is a space in Philadelphia where technology and art mix in a particularly interactive way. Scott Stein from CNET introduces us to what visitors experience. Would you want to go here?
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Why Haven't We Domesticated Monkeys?
After raising two daughters and now having two grandsons, I'm not sure we haven't!!
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PROGRAM: Nurturing Resilience: A Systems Approach to WASH in Malawi
SPEAKER: Heidi Rickels
We bring you a new program every week on innovation, entrepreneurship, and education and how they contribute to service to others.
How might sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions strengthen health systems and communities when designed through a holistic, locally-driven lens? Drawing on Freshwater Project International’s on-the-ground work in Malawi, this presentation highlights a collaborative partnership with Engineers Without Borders USA and the Xylem Impact Project to address critical infrastructure gaps. Together, these partners are upgrading water and sanitation systems at every health center across Malawi's Zomba District, ensuring reliable access to clean water, safe sanitation, and improved hygiene practices where they matter most.
Through case studies, lessons learned, and community-centered design principles, the presentation illustrates how a systems approach to WASH builds long-term resilience in resource-constrained settings. It examines the integration of technical engineering solutions, local capacity building, and cross-sector collaboration to improve health outcomes, reduce risk, and create scalable impact. The speaker will describe insights into how coordinated partnerships and sustainable infrastructure investments can transform district-wide healthcare delivery and serve as a model for resilient WASH programming across sub-Saharan Africa.
Our speaker, Heidi Rickels, is the Executive Director of Freshwater Project International, where she leads global efforts to expand access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene through resilient, solar-powered systems. With more than two decades of experience in humanitarian work, sustainability, and community-centered development, she specializes in building partnerships that drive long-term impact. Heidi works at the intersection of health, clean energy, and global development, collaborating with organizations, youth, and innovators to advance equitable solutions. She is passionate about empowering communities and creating pathways for sustainable change.
Members and guests, please welcome Heidi Rickels!
To learn more, go to:
Freshwater Project International:
https://www.freshwaterintl.org
https://youtu.be/DPbIdK5qEUw?si=qGJIldJACXQyolPG
To learn more about the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley, go to:
http://rotary.cool
Our Three Podcast Series
Our main program speakers are available as podcasts in addition to YouTube videos! Each week, they are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, as well as many other platforms.
Our weekly podcast is now called:
Inspiring People - Stories of Innovation and Service
Inspiring Solutions for a Better World
Our original podcast, featuring some of the best of our previous speakers, is still available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and many other platforms.
Inspiring Women: Celebrating Trailblazers
Our newest podcast celebrates trailblazing women. It is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and many other platforms.
UPCOMING PROGRAM RECORDING SCHEDULE
All of our guest speakers and programs are recorded live online over Zoom video conference. We welcome members and guests to join us in one of these upcoming recordings. Recordings are approximately 30 minutes long and are subject to change without notice.
Our online video conference room link for these recordings is always http://zoom.siliconvalleyrotary.com/. You are welcome to join us! Please note the timezone listed for all recordings is US Pacific Time (San Francisco, California, USA).
If you can’t join the live recording, please send your questions for an upcoming speaker to programs@siliconvalleyrotary.com.
THE ATTENDANCE SURVEY
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