Creating hope and alleviating poverty

Creating hope and alleviating poverty through a Rotary Foundation Global Grant Project focussed on education & literacy.

The Rotary Club of Jasper, Alberta (D5370), in partnership with Club Rotario Nueva Guatemala (D4250) successfully implemented a Rotary Foundation Global Grant Project (2017-2020) in Alotenango a rural farming community SW of Guatemala City. With a population of 16,000+ people, 70% of whom are indigenous, there is a 35% literacy rate, and only 3 in 10 children graduate beyond grade 6! 

 

The project partnership involved Rotary, Bendicion de Dios School (a non-profit school that offers basic education to 500+ grade K - 9 children whose families cannot afford government-run public schools), Wisehart Charity (a Canadian registered non-profit providing vocational training classes to Grades 7-9 students and adults of the community – mostly women), and the Community of Alotenango.

 

Guided by a community needs assessment, the final project focused on vocational training improvements (sewing, hairdressing, cooking), school upgrades with classroom furnishings, a computer lab, new curriculum texts for students & teachers, teacher training workshops, lunch program Improvements, and project management.

 

Planning, partner mobilization, and project budget development began in early 2017. Project promotions resulted in 7 Rotary Clubs in D5370 providing financial support, matched by the District.  With guidance and approval from TRF Canada, we received support under the Government of Canada – TRFC Partnership Community Development Program, a 5-year funding partnership for eligible international community development projects – resulting in an additional $ 29,100 USD which was then matched by TRF 2:1!!  Our GG was approved in November 2017 with a budget of $ 97,438 USD and implemented for the 2-year period of 2018-2019. A final GG Report was submitted to TRF in June 2020.

 

Project impacts were significant with 550 students & teachers and 2,500 individual community members benefiting directly and indirectly from school improvements, training, and skills development to start businesses, find jobs and support their families!  

 

The Rotary Wheel Keeps Turning …… if your Rotary Club is looking for an international services project with trusted community partners and a proven track record, we need your help with Adopt a School Alotenango (Guatemala) – Phase II.  Building on positive impacts, our TRF Phase II GG Project will support a new junior high school currently under construction to meet a growing student population. Partnering to increase impacts has begun and several Clubs in D5370 have committed funds. More partners are needed to reach our goals of a GG in the amount of $ 100,000 USD and a final application submitted by the end of December 2023.

 

More info – we look forward to hearing from you!!

Libby Weir, Past President & Co-chair International Services Committee, Rotary Club of Jasper (D5370).

Donnelly Hart, Co-Chair International Services Committee, RC Jasper & President/CEO of Wisehart Charity

Contact Info for Libby Weir: Contact Info:  Cel. 780-931-6249  Email. libbyweir@shaw.ca