Service in Action

By Erika Emerick, Rotary Programs for Young Leaders Staff

September is Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy month! Basic education and literacy is one of Rotary’s six areas of focus and essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace. Rotaract clubs take action to empower students and educators in their communities.

Check out these projects from around the world:

• Rotaract clubs in Taiwan worked together to develop a series of year-round activities to support 150 indigenous students to learn a wide range of cultural perspectives and physical education. One of the goals of the project was for the students to experience in-person what they learn about in their textbooks. Rotaract club members led field trips to art museums, science labs, presidential offices, local museums and shops so students could learn about their own traditions and culture.
• The Rotaract Club of Mumbai Ghatkopar developed a local school’s library and provided access to handwashing facilities, clean drinking water, and new toilets. By teaming up with local corporations, individual donors, and Rotary alumni, the club raised over INR 250,000 for the construction and donated school uniforms, shoes, books, and sports equipment for the school’s 80 students.
• In the wake of Hurricane Maria and Irma, the Rotaract Club of Tortola, British Virgin Islands focused their annual St. Georges Primary School Career Expo on professions that can help rebuild the territory, including land appraisers, architects, contractors, and electricians. Professionals provided a summary of their job, what led them to the field, and the importance of safety. Afterwards, they gave a 20-minute demonstration and discussed how their job plays a major role in rebuilding the British Virgin Islands.
• The Rotaract Club of University of Professional Studies, Ghana helped increase student enrollment and created a comfortable environment for them to learn by repainting 14 classrooms, refurbishing two classrooms into a Kindergarten unit, and launching an educational campaign bringing awareness to the benefits of school attendance in local communities. The school recorded a total enrollment of 29 children during the one-week campaign. Additionally, the club donated new materials to the Kindergarten unit, including crayons, pencils, flip charts, and writing pads.

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These projects were nominated for the 2017-18 Rotaract Outstanding Project Awards. Does your club have an outstanding project? Nominate it for a chance to earn US$1000 toward a future service project. Learn more at http://on.rotary.org/ROPA1819.