RECAP: Annual Rotary International Foundation report

Posted on Nov 02, 2022

Last week RCFC members Andrew Stewart and Robin Steele highlighted the international projects (and a few local) supported by the RI Foundation and District grants. These can be divided into “micro level” (RCFC/District Grants) and “macro” level” (RCFC Global Grants w/the multiplier effect from RI).  Over the last 3 years there were 467 District Grants ($31M), 55 Disaster Grants $3.1M) and 2,066 Global Grants ($130M), all supported by Paul Harris and Rotary Foundation donations. This year, almost 50% of grants went to Basic Education and Literacy. Major programs include (ongoing) polio eradication, as well as new programs - support for a malaria-free Zambia and a Peace Center to be built in either the Middle East or North Africa.  As always, funding depends on sustaining members of the Rotary Foundation and Paul Harris members.

After his introduction showing the importance of RI’s impact and annual RCFC sustaining Foundation donations, Andrew highlighted two local District Grants - RCFC support for Rams Against Hunger and Coats and Boots (a volunteer activity for RCFC performed last week).
Robin highlighted the Intl Projects and Grants (IPG) currently (1-3 years) supported by our club. When asked, our members were able to name most (if not all) of the 7 areas of IPG focus - Basic education & Literacy, Maternal & Child Health, Peace & Conflict Resolution, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Disease Prevention & Treatment, Economic & Community Development and (new last year) Supporting the Environment. Growth in dollar amounts per decade is remarkable - starting at $590,506 (decade starting in 1991) and presently totaling $7,281,702 (international projects driven by or assisted by RCFC). This latter figure reflects the RI 10x magnifier effect of our club’s contributions.
Robin’s next slides highlighted several current projects
  • Child Health in Paraguay - Handwashing stations that protect from COVID but also impact child development, health (especially respiratory disease) and ongoing education
  • Disease Prevention in Mazatlán – a project initiated by RCFC members Larry and Sharyn Salmen, providing medical and dental equipment to the Barron Clinic in rural Sinaloa, Mexico
  • Wash - El Salvador Potable Water - hosted by a local San Salvador Rotary club and representing a group effort by the FC Breakfast Club, RCFC and Engineers w/o Borders (CSU). Sustainability plans were detailed in this project but are an essential part of all projects.
  • Education in Brazil - this effort focuses on children at high risk for bullying, self-mutilation, and violent communication.  It “leverages technology” to promote quality and equity in basic education, using robotics. In other places this has been proven to attract students and help them develop critical thinking as well as psychomotor and cognitive skills
  • Economic Development in Guatemala - again, hosted by a local club providing training and education in masonry with the built-in benefit of sustainability because of the long-term needs for construction in the region
  • Building Peace in Nepal - 25 years ago a 10-year conflict between Maoist and the government lead to death, displacement, and disability in the Sindhuli district. The failure of reconciliation at the community level has led to the need for peace and forgiveness training but also vocational training (the sustainability piece)
So, many, but not all, IPG projects were brought to our attention.
Remember, all it takes is “Every Rotarian, Every Year”.