The Power of Rotary, A Postscript

Dear Teammates,

Josefina Urena, Club Rotario Salcedo Host Club Project Contact, has e-mailed exciting news! At their May 8th Club meeting, First Lady Dr. Emma (a Salcedo doctor & surgeon & also the Salcedo Minister of Health) informed the Club that after she had some local government authorities visit the school. The authorities have approved a remodeling project at the school! The first phase will be the bathrooms.

You may recall that we reported to you after our visit March 15-30, 2007, to the Escuela Maria Josefa Gomez, we discovered that none of the childrens bathrooms were functioning, there were not funds available to repair them; 1,000 kids are using a 2 compartment outhouse latrine. And the children have no safe, potable drinking water.

You will also recall the wonderful publicity the Club Rotario Salcedo arranged for Rotary including a visit & ceremony at the Mayor's office, a 2 hour inaugaration ceremony at the school with local television coverage & a live television interview. The focus of this publicity was on Rotary International world wide & the effectiveness of our organization.

Josefina states: "It's amazing how much awareness the project has raised in the community. They also informed us that from all the public elementary schools in this district, this is the only one with a computer lab."

Our next plan was to have been a Safe Water & Sanitation Project for the school. I have already been in contact with the WASRAG (Water And Sanitation Rotary Action Group) & Bob Hildreth & PDG Luis Hidalgo, D4060, Santiago. But now it is obvious that we do not need to focus on the sanitation part. The Club Rotario Salcedo is doing further research of the Safe Water portion or possibly the equipping of a Physiotherapy Center at the local Medical Center.

Isn't this a prime example of the Power of One (Rotarian) multiplied by 32,000 Clubs & 1.2 Million Rotarians? To say amazing is an understatement. And you each & all have been an integral part of this exciting process. For, without a doubt, we have felt your support. I only wish that you each could have personally witnessed the excitement & smiles on these childrens & staff faces that conveyed your message of how much you cared. Isn't Rotary awesome?

Thanks so much for all you each do for Rotary,
Norm Malmberg, Sponsor Club Contact/Team Leader
Rotary Club of Scott Valley