In Rotary we form network bridges between the more developed countries and those in a less developed phase.
Through international education programs we work with people in developing countries to provide opportunities for improvements in living conditions and the ability for these improvements to be sustainable.
"We cannot stop terrorism or defeat the ideologies of violent extremism when hundreds of millions of young people see a future with no jobs, no hope, and no way ever to catch up to the developed world." Hillary Clinton January 2010.
The underpinning of sustainable development is education. We believe by supporting Sustainable Education Programs Rotarians can again make a difference.
Please ask your club to consider a contribution to one of the following programs:
Chair District International Service Committee
(H) (03) 9499 2975
Rotary Club of Heidelberg
email: International@rotary9790.org.au
The vision of TCF is to remove barriers of class and privilege and to make the citizens of Pakistan Agents of Positive Change. We believe that access to basic education is the right of each individual and not a privilege. Apart from following the regular curriculum, we focus on the character building of students to equip them with high moral values and confidence.
To achieve our goals, TCF is constantly surveying education-deprived locations in Pakistan to extend its network. Each new location is appraised through an extensive land survey, assessment of population, income level, number and standard of existing schools in the area, demand for new school units, availability of an accessible site to build a school, qualified teachers in the area and a number of other criteria.
District 9790 clubs have contributed before, but ongoing assistance is required.
In 2002 a young lady, Gemma Rice (now Gemma Sisia), from a sheep farm in New South Wales, opened a small school in Northern Tanzania with the help of her family, friends and local Rotary Club. What started with only a handful of children and one teacher is now in 2009 a thriving school of almost 1300 children and 350 staff. In January 2008 another free primary school with an initial enrollment of over 550 children opened. These schools really have the potential to influence the quality of Tanzania's future leaders.
Over 90% of the children at the school receive a totally free education as local and international sponsors individually cover the costs of not only the educational fees but also the uniform, stationery, transport, hot meal, snacks and drinks of each child. What makes this school even more special is the fact that this success comes about due to the group effort of thousands of ordinary people from all over the world coming together to do something quite extraordinary. Individuals, families, schools, church groups and service clubs are joining forces by supporting the school's various sponsorship programs.
Every day staff and students work hard to fulfil the school's philosophy of "Fighting Poverty through Education" helping our students break the cycle of poverty that has gripped their families for generations. If this is what such a team effort can achieve in 7 short years, then imagine what could be achieved in ten years!
As the school receives no support from any government body, it relies totally on sponsors for its running costs (including maintenance of all buildings and equipment).
Humanity has reached a crisis point with respect to the interlocking issues of overpopulation, unsustainable development and human suffering.
This information is for Rotarians and friends who share the common belief that this challenge to humanity can no longer be ignored, and that Rotarians can do something about it.
With Rotary International's rich, religious, ethnic, and cultural background and with membership in over 160 countries, many believe that Rotary is the ideal organization to face this challenge.
In January 1998, with the passage of Resolution 98-231 by the Council on Legislation New Delhi, India, Rotary, as an organization, finally agreed to address the population issue. The "Population" resolution from Rotary's legislative body expressed overwhelming approval by 525 Rotary Districts around the world. The Resolution stated that it was time for Rotary to face the complex issues of population growth and unsustainable development.
August 27, 1999 - The Board of Directors of Rotary International published the Statement on Population Growth and Development directing Rotary International to include Population & Development as an appropriate area for Rotary humanitarian service. A key phrase reads: "Sustainable development, preservation of the environment, and the quality of life for all people, especially the new generations, is impacted by population growth." The Board statement continues: "Rotary International encourages Rotary clubs and districts, working as appropriate with government agencies, non governmental organizations and local leadership to increase awareness and undertake even more projects that directly impact population growth and sustainable development.
In November 2005, the Rotary International Board renewed for the third time the three year
Memoandum of Cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to work together
on population based projects.
The World Bank says: 2.8 billion people live in poverty on less than US $2 per day 800 million people suffer from hunger and malnutrition More than 1 1/2 billion people do not have adequate safe water and proper sanitation.
Rotary is now addressing these and other tragedies related to overpopulation and unsustainable development. In the last several years, over 100 Matching Grants and larger 3-H projects have been completed that address this challenge.
Pennies for Peace, a program of a non-profit organization, Central Asia Institute, was founded by Greg Mortenson. Greg is the co-founder and executive director of Central Asia Institute, and co-author of a book, "Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School At A Time".
The Pennies for Peace service-learning program began at Westside Elementary School in River Fall, Wisconsin (USA) in 1994, when students, through their own initiative, raised 62,340 pennies to help Greg build his first school in Pakistan.
The Pennies for Peace program is designed to help students broaden their cultural horizons and learn about their capacities as philanthropists. It educates students about the world beyond their experience and shows them that they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time. Talk to schools in your area.
If you wish to sponsor a child, it is just A$110 per year.
Contact Rotarian Frank Wilkinson
Email: frankwilkinson@bigpond.com
