Four Avenues of Service - International Service

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The importance of international service to the West Grove-Avondale Rotary Club is seen through our active involvement in diverse programs that try to make the world a better place and one where we can live in peace and harmony.  Our members have been actively involved in these important programs:

ROTARY FOUNDATION: 

The service emphasis of Rotary becomes a reality through Rotarians from around the world joining together for projects andprograms coordinated by The Rotary Foundation.  Our club and is members annually make significant contributions to the Foundation, and through it, to programs such as:

Polio Plus

Polio Plus Grants

Humanitarian Grants

Disaster Recovery - to help respond to specific disasters

District Simplified Grants - for use in our local communities

Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants - for major international projects

Matching Grants - for international projects share with other Rotary clubs/districts

Volunteer Service Grants - support travel of Rotarians to provide services or plan projects

Educational Programs

Ambassadorial Scholarships - one of the largest international scholarship programs

Group Study Exchange - non-Rotarian programs to share culture, education and vocation

Grants for University Teachers - professors teach 3-10 months in undeveloped countries

Rotary World Peace Fellowships - 110 scholars study at seven Rotary Peace Centers

ROTAPLAST INTERNATIONAL:

Members Rosalie Wells and Dan Bronson have participated in numerous Missions of Rotaplast International and are both certified as mission directors.  They have been a part of or led missions to Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines.  In 1999, Dan initiated our district's involvement in this effort to provide cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to indigent children in other countries.  Since that time, District 7450 has sponsored a team every year and our club has actively supported these efforts through our financial support.  In 2009, our district's team will be going to China during November.  In addition, Rosalie will lead a team to Mexico in the spring and Dan will lead a team to Brazil.

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE:

During the Spring of 2008, as a part of District 7450's efforts, our club provided home stays for two non-Rotarian professionals from Italy who were part of a five person Group Study Exchange team focused on learning about our country, culture, government, vocations, avocations, etc.  During that time we also took the entire group to places of interest in Chester, Lancaster, and York Counties.  During 2009, we are hoping to be a part of this program again as our District hosts a group from the Philippines.

WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Through the contacts of our members with Rotarians and others around the world, we are constantly looking at projects that will help our brothers and sisters around the world.  While are resources are limited, we have been evaluating efforts in Peru, Brazil, India, and other parts of Asia.  During the 2009-10 academic year, member Maureen Knabb will serve as a university professor in Mexico City, Mexico.

POLIO ERADICATION:

Rotary has been leading the global fight to eliminate this dreadler crippler since 1985 through Polio Plus.  While polio remains endemic in only a few counties, the need for immunization remains until the disease has been eradicated from all parts of our world.  Rotary has been providing volunteers, leadership, and funding for this battle for many years.  Our club has accepted the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation challenge to the Rotary Foundation.  This program challenges Rotarians to raise $200 million dollars to combat polio and will be matched by $355 million from the Gates Foundation.  The West Grove-Avondale Rotary Club will donate $1000 in each of 2009, 2010, and 2011 in order to make this opportunity become a reality and save our children from this killer.

YOUTH EXCHANGE:             

Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the largest high school study exchange programs in the world.  Students spend an academic year in another country while attending high school and learning about the new culture, family relationships, hobbies, and jobs, etc. of that country.  In  many cases, students learn new languages or polish the language skills they have already developed.  Students live with 2-3 host families during the year and have a Rotarian who is assigned as the students' counselors.  Our most recent student (2007-8), was Amanda, a young lady from Brazil who attended Avon Grove High School.  Students interested in this program should contact the club or Rotary International.