Welcome
The Rotary Club of Weymouth, MA is pleased to announce that we have launched an International Humanitarian Project in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Las Americas Guatemala to benefit Safe Passage (also known as Camino Seguro), a non- profit 5013C agency located in Guatemala City with headquarters in Yarmouth, ME. We are in process of applying for a RI Global Grant: The grant name is Safe Passage Educational Methodology and Curriculum Development. This is an ambitious project and we can’t do it alone. We are inviting you and your club to join us in helping this ambitious project to succeed. Participation in this project will give your club or individual Rotarians RI credit for participation in an International project as well as Paul Harris points equal to the amount of your club or individual Rotarian contribution.
The Mission of Safe Passage is to empower the poorest, at risk children of families working and living at Guatemala City garbage dump, by creating opportunities, fostering dignity and self esteem through the power of education. Safe Passage has been committed to community involvement since its inception in 1999.
The grant request is intended to assist Safe Passage achieve success as part of a 3 phase multimillion dollar expansion and improvement program. The program is divided into 3 parts. The Weymouth Global Grant application applies to Part 2, curriculum development.
Part 2: Raise funds to engage a Curriculum Developer to write the new curriculum; hire and train new teachers and teachers’ aides for grades 3-9. A new grade will be added annually. Currently grades 1 and 2 are accredited. Grade 3 expected to be accredited in 2015 with a new grade being added each year. New teachers and aids will be recruited and trained annually. Also included in phase 2 will be purchasing technology.
We expect this project will be accepted through the Global Grant guidelines. We are planning to raise $55,000 which, when matched by District and Rotary Foundation funds, will equal a total project budget of $100,000.
The Weymouth Club has been involved with Safe Passage since 2006 and made over 10 volunteer support trips to the project. During this time, we have witnessed personally the progress and success of Safe Passage which has a success rate of graduating 50% of its students through 9th grade. Together we now have an opportunity to help them build on that success by creating an innovative curriculum that will help children develop critical thinking skills, problem solving, creativity, teamwork and self-confidence necessary to produce graduates prepared to meet 21st century challenges.
There are several ways you can help:
A member of our Weymouth Safe Passage Team is available to give a presentation to your club at your convenience.
You or your Club can pledge now (see attached form) and will be listed on the list of donors submitted to the Rotary Foundation as part of the grant documentation process. We welcome pledges that fit your club budget. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Once the grant is approved, you will be notified to send your pledged amount to RI with the appropriate GG#. Do not send money until notified. The application will not be complete until we have a total of $55,000 pledged.
If your club is interested in either a presentation, joining us in this project financially, or would like more information about Safe Passage please contact Helen Blowers as soon as possible at either 781-337-2217 or hgb231@comcast.net.
Thank You for your support of Safe Passage.
Yours in Rotary Service,
The Rotary Club of Weymouth, MA