The SODIS Foundation celebrated its ninth anniversary on 18 July. On July 19 the last steps were completed the transfer of the presidency of Martin Wegelin SODIS Juan Ignacio Gutierrez. To celebrate the two events were invited friends and media institutions for a small ceremony on July 20 at offices of SODIS.

From left to right.

Michael Schulte

Juan Ignacio Gutiérrez

Martin Wegelin.

Martin Wegelin, Engineer at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science, is a pioneer of research on solar disinfection of water being the founder of the SODIS Foundation and president so far. It was and remains a tireless promoter dissemination of solar water disinfection, bringing education to over 40 countries on three continents.

Juan Ignacio Gutiérrez, Doctor of Political Science, is the new president of the SODIS Foundation. It is national director of Action Aid in Peru. Action Aid and yaa SODIS have several years of close collaboration in various countries, so in Peru.

Michael Schulte, Doctor of Political Science, is executive director of the SODIS Foundation and in charge of Latin America.

Elsa Sánchez, has a Master of Public Health and executive director in charge of the program in Bolivia.

500 communities in Guatemala were severely damaged by heavy rains.

Now the heat wave begins with plenty of sunshine, and SODIS is an interesting option. There was a joint review between the units of health education and regulatory PROEDUSA DRPSA, both the Ministry of Health (MOH), to suggest the distribution of printed materials recommended SODIS technique, the materials will be financed by UNICEF and NGOs.

This means that in Guatemala and is institutionalized as SODIS technique of water disinfection.

Sodis Foundation and Procosi with USAID help are going to begin the “Simple solution that save lifes” massive communication campaign. This campaign will be in the air through the “Red Amazónica” from June 1st 2010 and will reach 22 provinces of 4 departments of Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni).

This campaign consists of a radio novel with 11 episodes, 10 jingles and 6 songs directed to children, young people and adults. The target is to get people know about water disinfection, hygiene and sanitation and make them change their habits and achieve in this way our objetive to improve health of the families.

The provinces in which it will be broadcasted are: Madre de Dios, Vaca Diez, Mamore, Yacuma, Itenéz, Cercado Marbán, Guarayos, Ñuflo de Chavez, Velasco, Obispo Santesteban, Sara, Warnes, Ichilo, Andres Ibañes, Florida, Vallegrande, Betanzos, Cordillera, Hernando Siles, Luis Calvo, Gran Chaco y Burnet O'connor.

If you want to listen some of these jingles, songs or radio serie episode, go to our multimedia library and click on the corresponding link.