The International Service Update provides news about World Community Service, Rotary Volunteers, and Rotary Community Corps, as well as disaster relief and recovery. Visit the Service and Fellowship pages on the Rotary International Web site, www.rotary.org, for more information. |
| Projects Exhibition at the RI Convention |
If you're attending the 2008 RI Convention in Los Angeles, be sure to visit the Projects Exhibition in the House of Friendship. The exhibition will feature more than 60 club and district service projects, as well as booths for President Wilkinson's resource groups, all 16 Rotarian Action Groups, and over 30 Rotary Fellowships.
The House of Friendship will be open from Saturday, 14 June, through Wednesday, 18 June. Find the complete list of booth exhibitors, locations, and hours of operation in the convention program. |
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Disasters in China and Myanmar: Rotary's response |
Rotarians are responding to the recent cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in China by providing disaster relief through Aquabox, LifeBox, ShelterBox, and World Water Works. These Rotary club-sponsored organizations are raising funds to provide shelter and clean water to victims of the disasters.
ShelterBox was one of the first aid organizations to reach cyclone victims in Myanmar, delivering a shipment of 644 boxes within a few days and another 1,050 within two weeks of the disaster. It has also distributed 800 boxes to China, providing assistance to the hundreds of thousands left homeless after the May earthquake.
LifeBox sent 100 LifeBoxes to the Sichuan province of China, each of which included six LifeStraws, a portable water purification tool. They also sent an additional 1,280 LifeStraws to the victims.
After negotiation with Myanmar authorities, Aquabox shipped 120 Aqua30s and 180 standard Aquaboxes to the Yangon International Airport for distribution. Each Aqua30 is able to process 33,000 liters of portable water. They are due to arrive in Myanmar in the beginning of June. Additionally, World Water Works is set to ship 300 Water-Survival Boxes to Myanmar as soon as possible.
Rotary clubs in China are requesting international assistance for the provinces affected by the devastating earthquake. The clubs are suggesting that aid be sent via the Chinese Red Cross or ShelterBox. Learn more at www.rotarychina.org and www.rotaryshanghai.org.
The newly formed Disaster Relief Rotarian Action Group is helping Rotary clubs to coordinate disaster relief efforts. Once fully operational, the group will provide a worldwide structure for Rotarians to effectively participate in disaster response and recovery that will be both timely and long-term. Currently, the group is collaborating with ShelterBox in order to distribute boxes in Myanmar. Find updates on the Disaster Relief Rotarian Action Group and RI Web sites. |
| Rotary Volunteers online |
Rotary Volunteers information has been consolidated on the RI Web site. All RV program resources can now be accessed at Rotary Volunteers on www.rotary.org. The related documents link to the international volunteer and project registration forms, as well as the Rotary Volunteers Database and ProjectLINK. |
| Rotaract and Interact clubs get involved |
Rotaract and Interact clubs are excellent sources of fresh ideas and manpower that can lead to innovative community service projects. Rotary clubs may even sponsor projects on their behalf on ProjectLINK.
Rotaractors and Interactors have worked with their sponsor clubs to obtain furniture and supplies for schools, distribute wheelchairs to the disabled, build playgrounds, teach computer classes, assist at a home for the elderly, build wells, and raise funds to send children to school. These projects have been enriched by youth involvement. More examples are available on ProjectLINK. |
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Highlight on service: Russia |
Country overview
The Russian Federation has experienced a remarkable recovery following a 1998 economic crisis. It has since become a member of the G8, nearly halved its poverty level to less than 14 percent, and expanded its GDP by nearly 69 percent. Its economic success has come as a result of rising prices of global oil and gas, which are among Russia's primary exports
In terms of surface area, Russia is the largest country in the world and spans 10 time zones. It has a population of 142.5 million, 80 percent of whom are ethnically Russian. The other 20 percent comprises several ethnic groups including the Tatars and the Bashkirs. Although Orthodox Christianity is the main religion, there is a large minority of Muslims, mainly concentrated in the Volga River basin and the Caucasus region.
Russia has come very close to achieving many of the UN Millennium Development Goals, which have been adapted for Russia by the United Nations Development Programme. However, the economic, ethnic, and geographic differences (among other factors) have made for uneven progress throughout the country's 80 regions. Russia has already lowered child and maternal mortality levels, yet they remain among the highest mortality levels in Eastern Europe. HIV/AIDS recently became a government health priority after a significant increase of the disease was observed in young people, especially women, under 30. Poverty among women and children remains widespread in rural communities despite the country's achievement in lowering its overall poverty rate. Little access to basic social services and a lack of education in these areas exacerbate the difficult economic conditions.
Projects seeking assistance
Russian Rotary clubs are participating in International Service programs with five Rotary Community Corps sponsored throughout the country and two projects listed on ProjectLINK. The Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, White Nights, seeks to renovate a fort off the coast of Kronstadt into a drug rehabilitation center. In Kambarka, the local Rotary club is building an educational center to teach children English and German. Learn how to support these projects on ProjectLINK. |
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