Allan Cady represented Mesa West Rotary at the Mexico USA Friendship Conference and Global Grants Exchange which was held virtually February 12-14.  Allan reports that the virtual conference was a tremendous success.  His only regret was that, because there was the virtual agenda was very full,  there was only enough time on the conference agenda for fifteen projects to be presented.  Because of the time constraints, Aqua Africa project was one of many that were not able to be presented.
 
The board of the Mesa West Rotary Foundation supported the recommendation of the club board of directors to authorize Allan to commit up to $4,000 at the conference for worthy global grant projects.  Allan did make four $1,000 commitments to each of the following projects:
 
  • Potable Water for the Community of San Juan Sabinas, sponsored by the Puebla Campestre Real club.  They were seeking commitments totaling $25,380.
  • El Cobijo, Home for the Elderly in San Jose, Mexico, sponsored by the San Carlos Club, which was seeking funding in the amount of $30,000 for Phase II of repairs to the facility made necessary by extensive hurricane damage.
  • Dream Center Renovation in Phoenix, Arizona - a home for girls who are victims of human trafficking, sponsored by the Scottsdale Rotary Club.  They were seeking funding in the amount of $30,000.
  • Capturing Water and Sowing Life - a project for capturing rain water.  The sponsoring club is Taxco A.C.  They were seeking $40,548 in funding.
Allan states that the four projects he selected ended up being fully-funded, which is a good thing.
 
Next year, the Friendship Conference will be held in Tucson, Arizona, and hosted by District 5500.  Allan really enjoys this conference each year and has already voiced his willingness to be our representative at the Tucson grants exchange workshop.