The faces of these children and the stories of their lives left us wondering how we could help both the children who had been orphaned and those caring for them. After a few discussions, Teri scheduled a call between Susan, her team at WWO and members from the Rotary World Community Service Committee, which includes members from the three Rochester Rotary Clubs. We left the meeting with an idea for a potential Rotary District Grant, which was soon authored by the Rochester Rotary Risers in collaboration with Greater Rotary Rochester and The Rotary Club of Rochester. The grant request was approved and totaled $25,400.
The goal of the grant was to partner with WWO to help support the work of "training the trainers" of WWO in three locations including South America, Africa and India. Local Rotary members in those regions were involved in the training, which focused on supporting foster parents and single parent families who would raise the orphaned/single parent children. The impact of the $25,000 Rotary District Grant, authored by Rochester Risers Rotary Club, reached nearly 50,000 families and 80,000 children. The grant was successful and highlights how groups in Rochester, like Rotary, can make a difference around the world in support of orphaned/single parent children.
Members of the World Community Service Committee include: Kendra Joseph, Mike Neumann, Joanne Rosener, Teri Rummans, and Janet Swanson
