Kevin Gomez, second from left, during his youth exchange in Malaysia. By Irwan Norris, District 3310 Rotary Youth Exchange Chair — Our first Rotary Youth Exchange student in 17 years faced a grueling 28-hour journey to begin his exciting year in a new country. Venezuelan Kevin Gomes arrived in Kuala Lumpur after departing Caracas with…
A tanker delivers water to Navajo Nation as part of the Navajo Water Project. By Cindy Howe and Kathryn Lucero, DigDeep — World Water Day is 22 March, a global reminder that clean, running water is not a privilege – it is a human right. Yet, here in the United States, more than 2 million…
Members take water samples on the shore of a lake. The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group helps Rotary members implement and evaluate service projects that promote environmental sustainability, awareness of climate change, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By Mark Daniel Maloney — When my tenure as President of Rotary International began in 2019,…
Taylor Huie, seated left, with the RI Membership Committee in September. Taylor Huie, Rotaract and Rotary clubs of Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA — Taylor Huie I often joke that at 26 years old, I’ve been a member of Rotary for 27 years. Coming from a Rotary family means, quite literally, growing up through this organization. I…
The Adivasi women participating in the training learn sewing on their new machines. By Aruna Koushik, Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada — As a recently widowed person, I had been coming to grips with the change in my marital status and the subtle social changes I was experiencing, those of isolation and a noticeable…
Nerissa Persaud By Nerrissa J. Persaud, Rotary Club of Montego Bay, Jamaica — I recently received my first Paul Harris Fellow recognition pin and certificate in the mail. I held it in my hands, expecting to feel a sense of pride, maybe even excitement. After all, this recognition stands as a symbol of giving –…
Abigail Pratt speaks about partnering with Rotary and the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge during the International Assembly 12 February 2025. By Abigail Pratt, Gates Foundation malaria program — As I sat down to prepare my remarks for the International Assembly, Rotary’s annual training event for incoming leaders, my little boy came down with a fever.…
Participants in From Pain to Hope join hands in a powerful symbol of the program’s motto: “We are not alone.” By María Julia Moreyra — As a lawyer in Argentina who specialized in the fight against gender violence, I have been grieved by recent developments in my country. Argentina has a history as a pioneering…
Elementary school students in Georgia take part in an anti-bullying program. By Debbie Cwalina In the fall of 2014, shortly after I joined the Rotary Club of Roswell, Georgia, I came across a disturbing article about the rise in suicides among middle-school-aged kids due to cyberbullying. It immediately made me think of my brother who…
Hashim Taqvi (left) and two of the new members he has sponsored. By Hashim Taqvi — When I first joined Rotary in 2014, I immersed myself in the Rotary experience. I actively participated in our district’s events and training sessions and met amazing people. These opportunities and connections offered me invaluable insights into the world…