ABOUT
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The idea for Operation Toilets Australia (OTA) was brought to the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central by club member Mark Balla who had learned during a trip to India that many schools in the developing world have no toilets.
He learned about the terrible impact this had on the lives of the children in these schools, and most particularly on the lives of adolescent girls in the schools and he felt compelled to do something about it.
The Rotary Club of Box Hill Central adopted the mission with gusto and the rest is history. To date we have reached over 30,000 children with projects over the next 18 months expected to lift this figure to well over 100,000.
Not long after joining our club, Mark delivered TEDx talk in New Zealand explaining the issue in more detail. You can watch his talk here
WHAT WE DO
Operation Toilets Australia (OTA) builds toilets and delivers hygiene education programs in schools in developing countries with the special aim of improving the educational opportunities for adolescent girls.
OTA partners with Rotary clubs and in-country not-for-profit organisations to build toilets of solid brick construction with sustainable sanitation connections.
A key element of any OTA project is a hygiene education program, WASH, developed by UNICEF.
Students are taught to wash their hands after visiting the toilet or before eating. Local communities are also encouraged to become involved.
The final part of any OTA project is for a school to commit to an ongoing maintenance program to ensure that their toilets are kept in good working order.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects.
From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.