July 15, 2025
Merle Taylor, member of the Glenora Rotary Club, came to speak about an amazing Rotary project in Mexico: "Project Amigo". Started 35 years ago by Rotarians, the project initially hosted an annual Christmas party in a poor village near Colima Mexico. Although the Christmas party was sincerely appreciated by the villagers, Rotarians wanted to do something that would have a lasting change on the community: EDUCATION!
They learned that children typically drop out of school in grade six, some even sooner, to work or help with the household. But more often it was the cost for transportation to continue junior high in the next town, and the cost uniforms. And of course, education beyond high school was a dream few would ever achieve.
Project Amigo has been able to transform lives by providing funding for transportation and uniforms. Students with the academic grades, are further supported to attend university. Currently, Project Amigo is sponsoring 237 students and to date, over 160 university graduates have been helped by this project.
Truly a success story, one student at a time.
Other photos from Merle's presentation
Some things that a Project Amigo sponsorship includes:
Homework Club - Students can return to the Project Amigo school after hours to study and work on projects.
Project Amigo also provides volunteer opportunities Rotarians and spouses. Many Edmonton area Rotarians have spent time in Mexico volunteering time at Project Amigo. Merle and her husband have been there four times. Here an a list of volunteer opportunities available. If you are interested contact Merle though the Rotary Club of Edmonton Glenora website.
