Project Patagonia - a three year success story
The RC of Burton-Middlefield, RC of Nahuel Huapi in Bariloche Argentina and the Patagonia Project have completed the third $25,000 computer lab installation in rural Patagonia Argentina schools. As with the first two projects, this one was funded by the two RC partners and generous matching grants from D6630, D4930 and the Rotary Foundation. ( In addition, the first project was also aided by funding from the RC of Chesterland, RC Mentor, and the RC of Cleveland). In all $75,000 of computer equipment was purchased and installed.
For more information on this great project read the following article by Bob Johnson and visit the web site for Project Patagonia.
In keeping with our club’s strong tradition of International Service, The Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield is proud to announce the completion of our third “Project Patagonia” project in Argentina. These projects, done over a span of three years and in conjunction with former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars to Argentina and the Rotary Club of Nahuel Huapi in Bariloche Argentina, have provided enhanced educational infrastructure and supplies to a group of 25 (seven, eight or nine per year) very rural schools in the Patagonia region. These schools that are often hundreds of miles apart on dirt roads and operated on generator electricity and solar power only, have stepped into the modern world with the installation of computers and state of the art educational supplies.
Former Ambassadorial Scholars Kimberly Berls, Tanner Wells, Emily Pierce, and Christopher Tepper created “Project Patagonia” in 2006, shortly after completion of their Rotary studies in Argentina. A chance encounter between their group and our club led to our teaming up for three very successful $25,000 international projects over a three year time span. The scholars’ connection with members of the Rotary Club of Nahuel Huapi for administrative and purchasing support on the first project and generous financial support with the second and third projects greatly increased the efficiency and success of this work. Roberto Wallace, Arturo Kolliker and Rodolfo Weifling, all members of the Nahuel Huapi Club were the driving force for the success of these projects. Their thorough and efficient purchasing of equipment and supplies, organizing and logistics, timely and accurate completion of paper work and things like providing housing for the Project Patagonia members and reserving rental cars and transportation made them the key players in the success of all three projects.
Burton-Middlefield members Bob Johnson and Jim Eldridge who provided the application, funding and logistics of the projects at this end hope to someday meet these very dedicated Rotarians from Argentina. Nahuel Huapi Rotarian, Arturo Kolliker said he would like to express “the deep gratitude our club and District feel for the effort the Rotarians of the Burton-Middlefield RC and District 6630 as well as Kimberly, Tanner and the collaborators from the Project Patagonia have done to make the dreams of the students of these distant rural schools become a magnificent reality. He also would like “to express to any Rotarian or Rotarians from District 6630 who would like to visit Bariloche and the rural schools they have helped so dearly to consider themselves our very special guests, anytime they come.”
As we all know, it is one thing for Rotary to swoop in and do an expensive and high visibility project, but another to do follow up. Project Patagonia has been able to provide follow up visits to some of these remote locations to update soft ware and repair computers and other educational tools and to do further training. This has given these projects continuity and longevity. Many community members have been trained to use the equipment after school hours which have further increased the impact on everyone in these remote villages.
Kimberly Berls and Tanner Wells are scheduled to present a program on this last Project Patagonia III on Wednesday evening, June 15th during Burton-Middlefield’s regular meeting at Punderson State Park Manor House on Route 87 in Newbury, OH at 7:00PM. If anyone would like to join us, dinner is $15. Be sure to call ahead to Bob Johnson at 440-834-8447 for a reservation.
Bob Johnson – International Service Chair
Jim Eldridge – International Service Coordinator
The Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield
For more pictures and videos on the Patagonia Project visit their web site:
http://www.projectpatagonia.org/