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International Service
International Service encompasses efforts to expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the world and to promote world understanding and peace.
Opportunties for international service take many forms:
- Contributions to existing programs
- Personal commitment of time & resources
- Partnerships with other clubs, supported by Rotary International
Here are some examples of Red Deer Sunrise member's commitment to international service.
Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise is proud to be a 100% Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member Club, meaning every member makes an annual contribution to theRotary Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and Friends of the Foundation. The Foundation funds RI initiatives such as PolioPlus - the effort to eradicate polio worldwide, and Foundation Grants - grants which come back to local Rotary clubs to support their own humanitarian, vocational, and educational activities.
To learn more about the Rotary Foundation, visit the official website of Rotary International.
Disaster Aid Global Emergency Relief
When disaster strikes, those left homeless are left vulnerable. By funding the purchase and distribution of Family Aid Packs through Disaster Aid Canada, the Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise has helped eased the suffering of those affected by disaster. Designed to provide basic human needs, such as shelter, food and water, each kit contains:
- A UN & SPHERE compliant dome tent
- Quality tools
- Multi fuel stove
- Dishes, pots, pans, utensils
- Innovative waterproof multi-purpose blankets/ponchos
- Mosquito nets
- Repair kit
- Water purification tablets
- Sawyer water filter
- Water containers
- Blankets
- Nylon rope
- Children’s school set
Disaster Aid Canada is a registered Canadian charity that delivers emergency relief to people affected by disaster worldwide.
Adopt-A-Village
In 2006, the Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise began planning an international aid project through the Adopt-A-Village program. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise (based in Kent, Washington, USA) and the Inganga Rotary Club of Uganda, plans were made to improve conditions in Buntaba Village, Uganda.
Under the Adopt-A-Village model, there are three areas of need that must be adressed to improve the quality of life in a community:
- Health
- Hunger
- Education
Buntaba Village
In 2008, with funding from the partner clubs and with supporting grants from each clubs' Rotary District (Districts 5360, 5030, and 9200) as well as from the Rotary Foundation, members of the Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise visited Buntaba to undertake projects addressing these 3 basic needs:
Health
- Installation of rainwater harvesting tanks to provide a source of potable water
- Improvement of natural spring wells to preserve their cleanliness
- Distribution of treated mosquito nets to prevention malaria
Hunger
- Purchase and distribution of chickens to 60 families, providing eggs and meat for food, and as a source of income through sales at local markets
Education
- School supplies for 500 children
In 2009, a Rotary Sunrise project team again visited Uganda to deliver more supplies, evaluate the success of the Buntaba project, and to identify future projects.
Katigondo Village
Planning for the next international service project began in 2009. This time Rotary Sunrise partnered with the Kalisizo Rotary Club of Uganda, and with matching grants from Rotary Districts 5360 and 9200 and the Rotary Foundation, began planning projects to assist Katigondo Village in Uganda.
This project - once again addressing the the three basic community needs surrounding health, hunger and education - was completed in 2012, and included
Health
- Installation of rainwater harvesting tanks
- Construction of shallow wells with hand pumps
- Distribution of treated mosquito nets to aid in the prevention of malaria
Hunger
- Distribution of 100 high-effiency fuel-saving stoves
- Distribution of lievstock and chickens thoughout the community
- Training in sustainable organic farming
Education
- Distribution of school supplies
Kibaale Village
Plans are already under way for the next Adopt-A-Village project. The Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise has partnered with the Iganga Rotary Club in Uganda, and is currently seeking other partners to help Uganda's Kibaale Village.
Visit the Adopt-A-Village website for more information on Rotary's effort to put an end to poverty.