The fabric is delicately woven, and its many colors are vivid. Together with other pieces of intricate fabric, this beautiful cloth begins to reveal a form and purpose. A local Mayan woman, who has been working away on the sewing machine since early morning, continues to cut and sew the pieces of cloth together. She takes the finished piece and holds it to the sun. The woman looks for imperfections. If she sees any, the piece goes back to the sewing table for further work to correct the imperfections. One more look in the bright light, one more careful inspection of her work, she is satisfied. The piece is complete.

 

It is no surprise The Rotary Foundation recently received a 4 Star rating by Charity Navigator, its highest level. Ninety-one percent (91%) of the funds donated to The Rotary Foundation are spent directly on programs. For over 100 years The Rotary Foundation has been a river of life for millions of people around the world. Who can imagine over these past 100 years, the lives of these millions of people were there not The Rotary Foundation!   

  

The Rotary Foundation is your foundation, it is my foundation. Together it is our foundation. Governed by a Board of Trustees, these individuals are Rotarians just like you and me. Each Trustee is a member of a Rotary Club just like you and me. This is important to note. Every Rotarian, in every club around the world, subscribes to the same Rotary ideals. The 4-Way Test and The Rotary Code of Conduct are fundamental to all Rotarians.

 

And then there is our universal and simple Rotary motto, “Service Above Self”. Given this no one should be surprised that The Rotary Foundation rates as high as it does amongst public charitable foundations. One might could say the expectation for responsible stewardship that flows from a Rotarian of any Rotary Club upward to the Board of Trustees, is even more powerful than money.

 

She holds up the finished garment. It is a beautiful woman’s dress designed in the local Mayan style. The Mayan woman is aware a group of Rotarians from California will arrive to tour the cooperative that comprises local Mayan residents, mostly women, who make Mayan style apparel to sell to tourists. The visiting Rotarians have combined direct club contributions with Rotary Foundation District Grant funds to support the purchase of additional sewing machines and accessory equipment for this local cooperative.    

 

Instead of tourists purchasing Mayan style apparel made in other countries such as from the Far East, they will be purchasing more garments made locally by the Mayan residents. More sewing machines and other garment making equipment, means more residents will have opportunities to earn income. As a result, their children will be able to attend school and not have to search and gather recyclable materials for sale.

 

Whether it is providing take-home dictionaries for children in our LA communities, providing mini-grants for teachers, supplying polio drops for infants in Pakistan, or supplying surgical equipment in remote areas of Africa and Latin America, your giving to The Rotary Foundation serves to make better the lives of people around the world. It is with your generosity that we can bring hope and a brighter day to the many less fortunate.

 

The day begins to turn into evening. She is walking home to join her family. It has been a productive day. She sold a good number of apparel items made by her. The beautiful dress, it was purchased by a Rotarian from California. 

 

--2018-2019 District Governor Joe Vasquez