International & Foundation 2018-19
The Rotary Foundation
This year the committee voted to continue the club’s longstanding tradition of donating $100 per member to the Rotary Foundation, this year donating a total of $3200. These funds will contribute towards many international and local projects the foundation works on including the fight to end polio. As of May 2019, 2 countries Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to report cases of wild polio virus, with 18 cases diagnosed this year.
International service
This year the committee funded $1000 towards shelter box to help victims of 2 the Indonesia tsunami’s in 2018. In addition, we pledged $250 towards the End Polio campaign, which thanks to the Bill Gates foundation will be tripled to a $750 donation.
The club was approached by David Anderson and the Yea rotary club to contribute toward the REAL project - a joint Group 4 and foundation project proposal to fund improved teaching and access to English language programs in 2 schools in Malaysia. The club contributed $825 dollars, matching other clubs in our group, and we were pleased to hear the project was successful in receiving a foundation grant earlier this year.
The committee is also beginning ground work for a potential joint project with other community groups to hold an assembly day for the Birthing Kit Foundation who send packs of essential and sterile equipment to help mothers have safer births. Look out for further details in the new rotary year!
Emily Marr
International service / foundation director 2018-2019