One of the goals we deem very important in our projects is that of “sustainability.”  With our NGO partner, Go Care, we have been producing results in helping people in poverty move out and up to become productive members of their society while returning to their villages as volunteers to help others do the same. 

In November, six Rotarians visited our project in Pantanal, a barrio on the outskirts of Grenada, Nicaragua.  This village was the first development we undertook many years ago.  Michelle Cekov, CEO of Go Care and a member of Rotary Club Ventura East, is carrying on the job her father (past DG Jan Lindsay) and other Rotarians began 20 years ago.  Michelle, along with Club President Harriet Clune, Rich Stewart, International Chair Judy Hoag, Colin Hoag and a Rotarian Pam ……. Of the Flagstaff, AZ club, spent time meeting with members of the Pantanal Community. 

 

When I first visited Pantanal in January of 2010, there were still homes of one room, made of cardboard boxes, reclaimed wood from the dump and corrugated metal.  People earned about $1 a day.  Now many homes are made of home-made concrete building blocks, the cardboard homes are gone and some even have two or three rooms and are painted, often with a stucco finish.  All the homes have corrugated metal roofs and most still have dirt floors.

 

Children are going to school; many are completing high school and the community now has numerous university graduates.   Public University is free in Nicaragua.  But, books and supplies cost money and transportation is difficult.  Our club, with Go Care, has provided education in the village, English language lessons, computer labs and skills classes, health care and many more services.  And Go Care provides scholarships to University that consist of funding books and supplies as well as transportation, mostly by local bus, to the city to attend classes.  Adults are also learning English and computer skills and better jobs quickly follow. 

 

Education is the answer for many to move out of poverty, but families need to understand and embrace how important it is.  We heard this story:   A young boy wanted to go to school.  Go Care had a place in the classroom for him.  His mother did not want him to go.  But go he did.  Every day he walked quite a distance to school.  He excelled.  His mother was not happy that he wanted to go to high school so far from the village.  He went and excelled.  Then he wanted to go to university, on a scholarship, with housing provided in the city.   His mother was so sad to “lose” her son.  He is now in medical school and working as a volunteer in Pantanal to help others succeed.  His mother spoke at our meeting with the community.  She is now taking computer classes herself and is helping to encourage others to take advantage of the programs to learn new skills. 

 

This is Rotary.  This is service above self.  This is creating opportunity for people to excel through education and achieve a better life for themselves and their children.  This is sustainable because when people learn, they teach others.  When they receive a scholarship, they agree to return as volunteers to their village.

 

I was so impressed at the changes in the community since 2010.  The people work hard to keep the school clean, the library books are treasured, the class rooms are immaculate.  The pride is measurable.  The community center is always full, the health clinic teaches classes as well as administering care to the families.  A Rotary legacy that will live on and grow through the people in Pantanal.

 

Harriet Clune, President 2017-2018

Rotary Club Ventura East