The Caborca Mexico team February 2018 went to participate in National Imunization Day for the crippling disease of Polio.
From February 22-27th, 18 Rotarians from 11 clubs including many district leaders from past preset and future joined our member Afrosa on a trip to Caborca Mexico.
Departing from Phoenix by bus, they traveled by van (9 hrs) to Caborca and attended an opening evening BBQ for Canadian and California Rotarians, hosted by Caborca Rotarians at their club house.The following day they attended a National Immunization Day (NID) where the Canadian team divided into 4 groups with a Public Health Nurse. They walked from door to door in village La Amenda administering Polio vaccine by drops. Number of children inoculated per group varied 6 – 11. In total 250 children inoculated by both the Canadian and US Rotarians. During the day the attended a lunch BBQ and evening closing gathering hosted by Caborca Rotarians at their club house. The next day the USA Rotarians departed and the remaining Rotarians did a site visit to the new Regional Hospital in Caborca to see equipment installed that was supported last year by the several District 7080 clubs led by the Rotary Club of Kitchener. They then traveled by van to rural port village on the coast of the Sea of Cortez where there is a water desalination problem the Caborca Rotarians wish to correct. Returning to Caborca, the Rotarians met with Caborca Rotarians to hear their suggestions of three possible cooperative projects for the future and for a closing dinner.
The Caborca Club identified 3 possible future projects each of which has a Caborca Club member identified as leader/coordinator.
Project A: Upgrade village water supply.
The village of approximately 100 families including an elementary school has a well based water supply that has become sufficiently brackish (ie. Contaminated with inflow salt water) that it cannot be used for household or agricultural purposes. The well had supplied sweet water for three years after a pump and reservoir upgrade facilitated by a Rotary Global Grant facilitated by the California Clubs. The pump, filter equipment, piping and reservoir are in good condition. Equipment to reduce the salt content in the delivered water is desired. Only a rough estimate of possible cost was given of $20-25K USD. More investigation is needed. Photos below:
Project B: Reading Centres for Caborca Elementary Schools
It has been determined that 42% of children are below minimum reading and comprehension proficiency. This project proposes to place a reading “bunko” in each elementary school in Caborca in a multi-year project. A bunko contains book shelves, 200 books, rug and cushions as a reading place. 80% of the funds are for the books themselves. It is proposed to install 5 bunkos per year at $12,500 USD for 5 years. This totals a little over $60K USD and would reach a student population of over 7,000.
Project C: Installation of Automatic Defibrillators in Schools
There is very limited emergency response in Mexico. Schools can provide a local support centre for children and mothers. It is proposed to place defibrillators in strategically located 4/7 schools and 3 Ambulances for an initially suggested cost of $35,000 USD. More clarity is required regarding the final numbers to be installed and in which schools.
No commitments were made. The Caborca Rotary Club was asked to identify their idea of priority between the projects and to provide additional information as requested. A small steering subcommittee of the group will review and suggest further action.
What participants can get out of such Trip:
- Hands on experience on Polio inoculations (& other District projects) in the field in another land & culture
- Getting to know the Rotarians and Rotary cubs within the RID 7080
- Better understanding about own RID’s actions and impact beyond borders
- Better understanding of a different cultural perspectives of projects undertaken
- Getting to know new projects potential for partnerships between clubs of two RIDs of two countries
- Great way to utilize own skills and expertise in another community/culture needing that
- Productive Getaway blending Fun and Fulfillment
- Cost effective and safe while travel in a group
- Long lasting Fellowships, Fellowships and Fellowships
