I began the Cleaning the Rivers of the World Project five years ago in México D4140 with the Ameca River Project and it has grown to other countries through Rotary clubs and other service groups. Currently, WASRAG and ESRAG have adopted this project as their own and I’m pleased Rotarian Action Group For Peace (RAGFP) is now helping us promote it.

The purpose is to educate communities, raise awareness on the subject of River Pollution, and demonstrate how all of us can stop it by changing some basic habits.  We engage the communities by doing river clean-up projects and we empower them to continue to work with one another. They improve the quality of the water in the rivers, lakes, and oceans, on the cleanup events we organize. Rotary clubs bring together hundreds of people from all walks of life and empower them in a sense of common community. These Cleaning the Rivers events help build friendships and lasting relationships.


March 22, 2018 in Cucuta Colombia. A River Clean Up event brought over 900 people together to clean up the Rio Pamplonita.


March 22, 2018. A River Clean Up event in Tlaquepaque Jalisco México D4140 joined over 150 people from all walks of life to clean up an illegal dump site on the street.

March 24, 2018. A River Clean Up event in La Piedad Michoacán México D4140 involved Rotary clubs and 350 students from three separate universities. The beautiful thing is that the science departments at these universities will continue to work together to find solutions to the pollution problems of Rio Lerma.


Throughout the years we have encountered many difficulties, and negotiations were made to establish cooperation as well as to prevent conflict between neighbors, entities, and businesses. This is why I am grateful Rotarian Action Group For Peace is part of this effort to help us continue growing the movement to clean rivers, lakes, and oceans.

We are a relatively small project at the moment, and this makes it easier to resolve any difficulties or conflicts that may arise from our efforts. Yet, as our project grows and becomes more in-depth, we may encounter opposition that requires Rotarians and fellow RAGFP members with conflict resolution skills that we do not possess. RAGFP is a trusted resource in Rotarian peacebuilding.

Through WASRAG we have launched a challenge to the Rotary Clubs to do sustainable River Clean Up Projects for World Polio Day on October 24. We’re thankful for all the Rotarian action groups who support our efforts. I am always working on this project and encouraging Rotarian clubs to take up their own River Clean Up Project in their communities. Thank you RAGFP.

Learn More about Cleaning the Rivers of the World Project