INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
Clean Water: Eradicating a Global Disease
Around the world, Rotarians have contributed $2.4 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect children from Polio, a paralyzing disease. Today, the disease is 99.9% eliminated thanks to the support of 1.4 million Rotarians around the world. Clean water is a first step. In 2003, Southwest Michigan Rotarian, Original ‘Water Boy’ and Polio Survivor, Charles Jespersen, started a global initiative to fight Polio by bringing fresh water to third world countries.
Click here to read an article by the Herald Palladium.
Left to right: Terry Allen, Charles Jespersen, and Dick Laney with models of biosand filters that the local Rotary clubs provide to people in the Dominican Republic. Photo by John Madill / H-P staff.
Group Study Exchange
The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for professionals. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in pairs for 4-6 weeks in designated areas of different countries. Team members experience the host country’s culture, observe how vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. In a typical tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, 2-3 days at a district conference, 3-4 hours a day of cultural and site tours, and 3-4 hours per day of free time with host families.
Rotarian/Berrien County Judge Charlie LaSata, Group Study Exchange, Brazil.
Rotarian/Berrien County Judge Gary Bruce, Rotary Group Study Exchange, India.