A small guide to big giving

I mproving the life of someone in need is no small thing. The Rotarian ’s Greater Goods Catalog is full of simple items to address some of life’s biggest challenges – all with minimal impact on the environment. Rotarians around the world have field-tested products like these to help struggling families find sustainable solutions. Use this guide to inspire your next project or to encourage giving in your community. Wherever you take it, think big.

Nutrition

Starter flock of chicks
Farmers know: The chicken came first. And for families in need, it still does. Starter flocks of chicks are relatively inexpensive and multiply quickly. Because chickens can live on small plots and feed on table scraps and insects, they’re an ideal solution for low-income families. One of nature’s great sources of protein, chickens not only fill a nutritional gap, they make money (and fertilizer) too. Est. $20

Ecostove
Keep dinnertime safe. Ecostoves help eliminate the hazards of indoor cooking fires by using up to 80 percent less wood than open fires, which means fewer logs to gather and lower carbon monoxide emissions. Plus, these specially designed stoves keep kids away from open flames and focus the heat where it’s supposed to be: on the food. Ecostoves come in portable varieties, like the Ecocina, or may be built on-site with a specially designed firebox. Est. $40-$70

Solar oven
Solar ovens are a two-in-one clean cooking, clean water solution. Aluminum reflectors harness the power of sunlight and can heat ovens to 500 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. No carbon emissions, no open flames, and no deforestation equal less pollution and soil erosion and safer cooking. Some communities use solar ovens to boil water for safe drinking and even to sterilize surgical instruments. The addition of a propane tank lets families put a hot meal on the table no matter the weather. Est. $150-$300

Rehydration spoon
Help caregivers everywhere correctly measure the spoonful of sugar that helps the medicine go down. This double-ended spoon portions out the correct ratio of sugar and salt to water to make a rehydrating tonic for children and adults suffering from diarrhea. Without the correct proportions, well-meaning parents could make a dehydrated child’s condition worse. An inexpensive spoon combats one of the leading killers of children under five – now that’s a scoop. Est. 50 cents

Universal nut sheller
Shelling single nuts by hand is slow and tedious, but this manually powered universal nut sheller cracks open the possibilities by churning out up to 125 pounds of peanuts in an hour – enough protein to feed a community. Plus, peanuts are full of heart-healthy nutrients and antioxidants. The universal nut sheller also works for coffee beans and seeds, making it an equally good income generator. Time to get cracking! Est. $550

Actual costs may vary depending on supplier and project location. All prices are in U.S. dollars. Clubs and districts independently purchase goods and may apply to The Rotary Foundation for project funding. The Foundation does not purchase goods for Rotary clubs.  Learn more

---

Water

Rainwater harvesting tank
Life in the tropics can mean intense flooding one season and a long dry spell the next. Carry clean water into the dry season with simple, affordable rainwater harvesting tanks. Create a rainwater catchment system using a rooftop, gutters, and downspouts, and reduce flooding around the home. Est. $130 and up

Bio-sand filter
For hundreds of years, communities have used sand to purify water. Now, bring this age-old technology to a family in need. Developed by a scientist at the University of Calgary, these no-fuss microbe busters remove over 90 percent of harmful bacteria and parasites. Plus, the compact design makes them perfect for household use. The Rotary Foundation already has helped Rotarians place thousands of bio-sand filters in countries like the Dominican Republic and Peru, giving families safe water for years to come.

Bio-sand filters come in durable plastic and concrete. For added protection, combine with boiling or UV disinfection. Est. $30

Hydraulic ram pump
The ultimate in green technology: Water soars to new heights, fueled by the power of gravity! Hydraulic ram pumps don’t use electricity or gas, so there’s zero pollution, and water supplies stay clean. One easy-to-install, whisper-quiet pump can lift water hundreds of feet for drinking and irrigation. Plus, the self-starting, no-prime design will have whole communities going with the flow in no time. Est. $175 and up 

Waterless toilet
Waterless toilets are anything but a dry subject. Through a process of dehydration, they turn waste into odorless compost. By removing water from the equation and completely isolating and containing waste, these super sanitation stations help keep underground water sources pristine. Install them indoors or outdoors – no plumbing and no chemicals required. Waterless toilets such as the Ecosan are equally suitable for rural and urban environments. Est. $300-$400

Q Beta water filter
Rotarians have distributed more than 10,000 of these portable wonders throughout Guatemala, and demand shows no sign of waning. The secret to the Q Beta is an effective reusable ceramic filter that rids water of 99.9 percent of parasites and bacterial pathogens. Plus, the filter reduces harmful substances like chlorine, rust, and sediment. Q Beta was endorsed by the first lady of Guatemala as her country’s choice for families in need of clean water. Est. $50-$100

Solar pump system
When the sun is high, so is the need for water. Reliable and easy to maintain, solar pump systems are a high-tech solution to one of the developing world’s fundamental problems. Whether for drinking or irrigation, these sun-powered machines deliver water when and where it’s needed most. Though these technical marvels might not look it, they’re simple to maintain and long lasting, making them a swell solution for communities and farmers. Est. $1,000 and up

Solar distiller
On islands where groundwater is lacking, families know that a single gallon of clean, desalinated water is worth an ocean of the salty stuff. Shoring up a supply of fresh water just became easier with the ultraportable solar distiller. The magic box absorbs the sun’s rays, which evaporate the salt water. The water vapor then condenses on a glass enclosure, where it’s distilled into fresh, potable H2O. There are no moving parts and no fuel requirements. Families can rely on this low-maintenance water source wherever there’s surf and sun. Solar distillers may also be used for purifying fresh water. Est. $150 and up 

Health

Bicycle ambulance
In countries such as Namibia, millions of people live in remote areas without important emergency medical services. Bicycle ambulances are the simple, affordable solution. These low-maintenance, souped-up mountain bikes feature a rear trailer with a removable stretcher and sunshade – no fuel or driver’s license required. Est. $200-$400

Hand sanitizer
When a dry spell hits, hygiene shouldn’t wither. Ultraportable and effective against most germs, hand sanitizer is a no-brainer for families who lack access to clean water. Alcohol-based sanitizers make maintaining a healthy hygiene routine easy and convenient – whether at home, work, or school. For maximum effectiveness, use a sanitizer with a minimum 60 percent alcohol content. Est. $1-$3

Mosquito net
Cleopatra was one early adopter of these gauzy defenders, but mosquito nets aren’t just for river-dwelling royalty. Affordable and easy to hang, mosquito nets save lives. Even with holes, insecticide-treated nets are 90 to 95 percent effective against malaria-carrying mosquitoes and other disease vectors. The Rotary Foundation has helped Rotarians place nets in countries where a child dies every 45 seconds from malaria. When a few bucks means keeping a family safe, there’s no reason not to cast this safety net. Est. $5

Oral polio vaccine
Get the drop on one of the world’s most pernicious diseases. The oral polio vaccine has helped Rotarians immunize over two billion children since 1985 – and the effort is still going strong. The oral vaccine requires no needles and no sterilization, so volunteers can administer a lifesaving dose wherever need arises. Help defend children against polio, and make a big impact for a small price. Est. 60 cents per dose

Wheelchair
There are as many styles of wheelchair as reasons to give one. For people in developing countries with inadequate transportation, sturdy chairs built for rough terrain can make the difference between home bound and outward bound. Buying local or purchasing gently used chairs can save a bundle and help restore someone’s mobility. Est. $100-$150

Solar-powered hearing aid
Powering down old, costly, battery-devouring hearing aids never sounded so sweet. Solar-powered hearing aids use batteries that charge at night with energy collected by a palm-sized solar charger during the day. Conventional hearing aids and a year’s supply of batteries can cost more than $3,000. But solar chargers and renewable batteries last about two years and cost around $25 to replace, making it easier than ever to help children and adults with hearing impairments rise to meet the sounds of morning. Est. $100

Not ready to start a project just yet?Still want to contribute? Donations to The Rotary Foundation help fund projects and programs that improve the lives of children, families, and people with disabilities worldwide.Give now