Calliope’s principals have worked on development projects around the world. Dr. Nancy Gilbert is currently Executive Director of Transform International while sitting on a number of not-for-profit Boards and continuing her work with Rotary International. She is a popular and respected speaker on WASH (water and sanitation, hygiene) alternative energy and sustainable agriculture. Calliope’s (through Transform International) expert networks span the globe and include engineers, trainers, researchers, scientists, medical professionals, facilitators and many others. We have worked in: Bolivia, Burundi, Honduras, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia. Philosophically, we believe sustainable and ultimately successful development work must grow from the ground up within the local communities we serve. It must leap-frog existing development strategies by building entrepreneurial capacity, local knowledge and community-based self-sufficiency. When local communities own their utilities, are intimately involved in the success of, for example, health care centres and have the confidence and networks to reach out to the rest of the world for the resources, technology and training they need, success is inevitable. Local governments must be involved and tend to engage more fully once the effectiveness of new methods is proven.
Northern Malawi
Dr. Nancy Gilbert has been leading new initiatives in WASH for rural health care facilities in northern Malawi. A successful program called STREAMS introduced the concept of ‘circuit riders’ – government or privately funded entrepreneurs who maintain a steady rotation of visits assisting staff with infrastructure problems such as broken water mains, plumbing and other mechanical issues. After careful measurement & evaluation, Dr. Gilbert introduced the concept of ‘quality of care’ circuit riders – individuals trained to monitor and assist with WASH practices.
STREAMS Poster 2025
This poster explaining the ‘circuit rider’ program is used to engage local health authorities & central government officials.
WASH Behavioural Change
Facility-wide hygiene practices have proven just as important as functional equipment in the reduction of disease.
Water Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group
Calliope has donated communications support to Rotary International’s WASH-RAG initiative since its inception. Applying Rotary’s vast resources to the challenge of clean water and effective hygiene practice has made a huge difference worldwide.
WASH Rotary WAVE 2026 logo
At Rotary Annual Conventions, team members lead sessions and promote new collaborations.