Providing hygiene kits, latrines, and hygiene education to girls in Burkina Faso
Your support makes a real difference
Empowering girls through health and education
EmpowerHer is a social responsibility project by Rotary Club Utrecht International, dedicated to improving the lives of girls in Burkina Faso. Our mission is to provide essential hygiene resources and education that promote health, dignity, and empowerment.
Through the distribution of hygiene kits, construction of latrines, and comprehensive hygiene education programs, we are creating sustainable change in rural communities in Burkina Faso. We believe that when girls have access to proper hygiene facilities and education, they can stay in school, stay healthy, and reach their full potential.
Our project is supported by dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and community partners who share our vision of a world where every girl has the opportunity to thrive.
Working together to make a difference
For our EmpowerHer project, we are working together with ASAP Foundation, who through their local team, are responsible for carrying out the project with the target communities in Burkina Faso. This first-time collaboration allows us to combine our efforts—our club is focused on fundraising, while ASAP oversees implementation on the ground.
Through this project, we have been able to finance and deliver washable menstrual kits, build school tiled-latrines, and support hygiene education programs for girls. We are grateful for ASAP Foundation’s expertise and local presence in bringing these initiatives to life.
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We are incredibly grateful to Wilde Ganzen for their generous commitment to match the donations we receive, up to the first 20,500 EUR, for EmpowerHer. This means your contribution will have twice the impact, helping us reach even more girls in Burkina Faso with essential hygiene resources and education.
Thank you to our generous supporters
It wouldn't be without you
Many thanks to our many organizers, attendees,
and donors who wish to remain anonymous
Making a difference, one girl at a time
Files and documents available for those interested in learning more about EmpowerHer
This project overview—including initial plans, budget, and timeline—was provided by our partner ASAP Foundation to help guide and launch our cooperation making an impact in Burkina Faso.
See our Overview
Download our official EmpowerHer
project brochure for a comprehensive overview of our mission,
approach,
and impact in
Burkina Faso.
ASAP's Implementation Report summarizes all key achievements up to October 2025, Download to see what we accomplished and how your support created impact this year.
View ReportOur journey so far
At the start of our project, we organized a kickoff meeting together with directors and founders of the ASAP Foundation, alongside members of the Rotary Club Utrecht International.
The first fundraising event, wine tasting and bronze sales, was held in November 2024.
Our company sponsorship drive was launched in early 2025, laying the financial foundation for our project. Our first confirmed pledges came from Miro (Dmitri Romantsov), as well as Griffioen Wassenaar, joined by a handful of other generous silent partners. Their early commitments played an important role in giving momentum to our campaign, helping us demonstrate strong support from the private sector and attracting further sponsors as the project grew.
The Wilde Week initiative brought together support from RCUI, private individuals, and, for the first
time, Wilde Ganzen. It was during this initiative that Wilde Ganzen became involved in EmpowerHer. Wilden
Ganzen pledged to support EmpowerHer by doubling the first 17,550 EUR that we raised.
(Wilde Ganzen later increased to a total support of up to 20,500 EUR)
Our foundation sponsorship drive was further strengthened in May 2025 with very generous support awarded by Teenstra Foundation (a foundation that supports initiatives by Dutch Rotary Clubs).
Auction donor drive for silent auction items with first confirmation from Rechastel Village Club.
"Water Walk" fundraising initiative completed by International School Utrecht.
We hosted a successful benefit concert at the Johannescentrum in Utrecht, featuring soloist Carla Leurs and Het Britten Youth String Orchestra. An exciting part of the event was our “Be the Baton” competition which gave some of our sponsors the chance to direct an orchestra!
See our concert program
First tranche of funds transferred from RCUI to ASAP and then onward to Wilde Ganzen for doubling and transfer to Burkina Faso.
Start of hygiene education, menstrual kit distribution, and construction efforts of three tiled latrines at each of 5 schools in Burkina Faso.
First drawstring bags prepared by Grade 9 students at International School Hilversum.