Mtg: International Projects - Women's Empowerment

Mike Donnelly & Jeni Moore - 

The Women's Empowerment Project in Mexico has been launched, and Mike Donnelly and Jeni Moore will share their experiences after traveling to the startup location in the City of Juanacatlan near Guadalajara in September.  

As part of the first phase of the project, approximately 1,000 reusable feminine hygiene pads will be produced by a group of young women learning job and business skills.  Access to reusable tampons or sanitary napkins is viewed by community development experts as one of the most effective methods of keeping girls in school and helping to end poverty.

Donnelly is the chair of the International Projects Committee, and worked with Jeni Moore, Joel Zimbleman, Walt Schafer and other committee members to obtain a district grant in the amount of $8,455 to fund the project.  Three years ago, Donnelly traveled to Tanzania, Africa to help facilitate a grant to renovate a science building at an intermediate school near Mount Kilimanjaro.

Moore is the Division Chair of International Service which oversees the International Projects Committee, along with the Paul Harris Awards and Foundation Recognition Committees.  She has been a longtime supporter of community service work in Mexico, and has traveled throughout the country many times to take part in volunteer projects.  She will also report on the latest Chico Rotary Club project in the small community of La Tuna near the City of Morelia in the state of Michoacan.