This week’s FM is from the message of TRF’s Trustee Chair, Barry Rassin published in the latest edition of Rotary Magazine. In a nutshell, Rassin celebrates “The Rotary Foundation: one of the world’s best humanitarian organizations,” and highlights “the magnitude of our impact.”

 

 “…we have a lot of work in progress through the Foundation. Polio eradication is changing the world, one drop of vaccine at a time. Rotary Peace Centers are training peacebuilders to reduce violence and resolve conflict. And through Foundation global and district grants, we are improving lives in a real way. The way we work also sets us apart. We have global reach, with more than 48,000 field offices in the form of Rotary and Rotaract clubs. We emphasize good stewardship of your funds and efficient implementation of your projects. And we always aim for sustainable solutions.  During the 2022-23 Rotary year, the Foundation awarded 1098 Global Grants…Our district supported a Global Grant project that focused on basic education and literacy in Malawi, where we helped train 38 teachers who are responsible for 4,000 students. We also built two toilets and installed a pump, so they had water for drinking and hand washing…When Esther and I visited the school, a young boy pointed to my Rotary pin, recognizing it from other volunteers who wore their pins during the project. He said, ‘I know you helped me. I won’t be able to travel to thank the others who helped me, so please thank them for me.’ So, thank you, Rotary, on behalf of a child in Malawi whose future you made a little brighter, and on behalf of thousands of others you have helped by supporting The Rotary Foundation.”

 

(Barry Rassin, Rotary, November 2023: 56)