• Kitchener Rotary has had a long history of International service
• Some of our past projects include. . .
  • Guatemala Literacy Project – in collaboration with the RC of Rochester, Michigan
  • Mantangwe Community Health Centre in Kenya
  • Community Development Care Centres (CDCC in KwaZulu, Natal D9270)
  • In this project we provide support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their caregivers, in their own community.
  • Currently there are 1 million AIDS orphans in South Africa - approximately 400,000 in KwaZulu Natal alone.
  • This is equivalent to having 50,000 orphans in a typical Rotary District like ours.
  • Over 4200 orphans and vulnerable children are being assisted and fed five days a week, in 32 sites supported by contributions from Canadian Rotarians. A total of 52 CDCC’s are in operation.

• Nogales
  • Kitchener Rotary has been involved with the Nogales initiative for almost 20 years
  • Nogales is a US/Mexico border town and many migrants from Mexico and Central America arrive in Nogales hoping for an entry into the US. This migrant population lives in squalid conditions in the outskirts of Nogales. An official population of 250,000 the actual is estimated to be closer to 500,000.
  • We joined with Rotary in Tucson, Arizona providing shoeboxes for this desperate population, providing shoeboxes for kids packed with pencils, activity books, small gifts, hats and mittens, and some clothing
  • Several Rotary Clubs in District 7080 and 7090 have participated (Guelph South, Mississauga West, Norfolk Sunrise, Grand River)
  • Kitchener Rotary raises funds, participates in hands-on distribution of the shoeboxes in Nogales. Many members of our Club and members of their families have travelled to Nogales and participated in the hands-on distribution of clothing, food, and gifts
  • The project evolved to include providing food, blankets, and winter coats for this migrant population
  • The project also expanded to include many other things including:
  • Providing support for the local Bomberos (fire fighters)
  • Providing supplies and equipment for the local Bomberos (Fire fighters)
  • Providing kitchen equipment for local community centres
  • Refurbishing school desks for a shared school expanding its reach
  • Sending down PPE equipment
  • Providing oxygen tanks

• Caborca
  • Our participation in Caborca came about in typical Rotary fashion…somebody knows somebody who knows somebody, and…
  • One of the former Nogales Rotarians moved to Caborca, he subsequently bumped into Kitchener Rotarian Hubert Singh, said ÈWe need help in Caborca, and the rest is history
  • Hubert appealed to the District for anyone interested in a polio immunization trip to Caborca Mexico
  • This was very successful and several trips have followed
  • Since then we have collaborated with the Caborca Club to provide funds for hospital equipment
  • We continue to have a strong relationship with the Caborca Club and are working on several Rotary grant opportunities

• We support post-secondary education for Women in East Africa
• A significant donation from Rotarian Audrey Wipper got the fund started
• Supported our first student in 2010 and have supported 98 students to date!
• Our bursaries cover tuition, books and living expenses

• The Impact of COVID and lasting effects relating to international travel are still being felt
• We will not be travelling to Nogales this year but hope to do so in 2023
• Key things we have learned…
  • We all contribute to the Rotary Foundation, and making use of District and Global grants is a way to have a hand in using the funds in the Foundation
  • Personal international connections are very important in initiating international projects
  • Relationships developed with international partners are really important to ensure successful projects
  • Repeat projects help to develop long term relationships
  • Hands-on visits to the projects bring them to life
  • Having a Club Champion is essential for our international projects to succeed
• So, use what we have learned, to seek out and undertake new international projects
• It’s worth it!

• Is this Club’s Charitable Foundation
• Manages invested funds in excess of $1.5 Million
• Oversees the RAWEF Committee and  its Program
• Provides the funds to operate RAWEF
• Is developing its Permanent Fund to support various other charitable activities from invested funds.

• aid children with disabilities,
• advance goodwill and peace and the improvement of health,
• alleviate poverty,
• support education and the arts and
• support the work of Rotary around the world.

• Aid to or work with children with disabilities, including KidsAbility.
• Promoting peace: Training leaders, supporting conflict resolution, mediation, and peacebuilding - supporting studies and training.
• Fighting disease, especially Polio: Promoting, funding and participating in disease prevention programs.
• Enhancing the health infrastructure of communities.
• Providing clean water: Providing equitable access, develop, fund, and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems, supporting studies and training.
• Saving mothers and children: Reduce the child and maternal mortality and morbidity rate, improve access to essential medical services.
• Supporting education and the arts: Increasing child and adult literacy, reducing gender disparity, supporting studies and training for career-minded professionals in education, literacy and the arts.
• Enhancing and supporting local public facilities. This includes facilities for Health, Arts, and Education (HAE), programs and agencies.
• Growing local economies: Supporting entrepreneurs, community leaders, supporting studies and training.

• In cooperation with RAWEF committee develop program to Leverage the funds to:
  • Support more African women students
  • Increase the pool of invested funds for RAWEF
• Mount a “Grow the Permanent Fund” program to provide more discretionary funding for charitable support from invested funds.

• Is elected to a renewable 3 year term.
• Participates in (approximately) quarterly KRCCF Board meetings.

Closing Remarks & Reminders