Guitarrani School Project
From our International Committee!
In June of 2015 a team of Rotarians from Northern Minnesota, North Dakota and Northwestern Ontario, Canada travelled to Bolivia to visit medical clinics and water reservoir projects supported by our Rotary district. High in the thin air of the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, Rotarians from Duluth, Detroit Lakes, Fargo and Thunder Bay were welcomed by remote villagers brimming with appreciation, joy and passion! In the tiny community of Guitaranni, the team was led with much ceremony and celebration, by the Quechua people, to the small Rotary sponsored medical clinic for which they were so grateful. A doctor and nurse now service the community and this has made an enormous impact on decreasing child mortality and improving the health of all those living in the area. When viewing the dedication plaque on the front of the clinic, it was incredibly rewarding to see "The Duluth Harbortown, Skyline and Superior Rotary Clubs" listed and honoured as major contributors to the project. It made us proud to be Rotarians from District 5580 and was a poignant reminder that our efforts in supporting international projects do indeed have an enormous positive impact on the lives of others.
In the same village, there was another great need as the local school had been hit by several landslides and the building structure had become very unstable. Parents were afraid to send their children to school for fear of them being buried in the next avalanche of mud. The school accommodates elementary age children from Guitaranni and three remote neighboring communities (children walk to this small village from even more isolated locations near by). Families and local leaders, requested the assistance of Rotary, to help make the dream of an education for their children, a reality.
Upon the Rotarians return home, presentations ensued, and a collaborative partnership was established between the people of Guitarrani, Mano A Mano International Partners (an NGO located in St. Paul Minnesota, dedicated to improving the lives of rural Bolivian families) and the 5580 Rotary clubs of Duluth Harbortown, International Falls, Thunder Bay (Fort William, Port Arthur & Lakehead) and Club Rotario Cochabamba Concordia B
In the Spring of 2017, a group of Rotarians from 5580 will return to the community of Guitarrani to assist with the construction of the school and teachers residence. Through the concerted efforts of Rotary, what is promised is delivered, and what is delivered is exceptional! This project will benefit the families and children of Guitaranni (and nearby villages) by providing a safe facility for education, learning and opportunity.
