Volunteers turn out to help collect and distribute donations for fire victims, firefighters, and first responders. By Tracey Thompson Busa, Rotary Club of Marina del Rey, California, USA — The most destructive fire in Los Angeles, California, USA’s history broke out on 7 January in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Eaton. The Marina del Rey Rotary…
The author has his beard shaved to raise funds for polio eradication. By Jide Ogunleye, Rotary Club of Omole-Golden — I never imagined that my beard – something I had nurtured for years – would become a powerful tool for change. But on 22 February, I stood in front of a crowd, ready to part…
The author (second from left) with members of the Rotaract Club of Dhaka North on a service project. By M. M. A. Al Numan Tonmoy, Rotary Club of Habiganj Khoai, Bangladesh — When I began my university education in 2012, I was very introverted. I tried not to talk with people much and I would…
Participants in the Rotaract Club of Bogotá Centro Histórico’s Paz a la Vista project in the Ciudad Bolívar neighborhood of Bogotá, Colombia. By Mariafernanda Burgos Ariza, a Rotary Peace Fellow — My journey toward being a peacebuilder began shortly after I joined the Rotaract Club of Bogotá Centro Histórico in 2015. Rotaract planted the seeds…
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 –…