Lucie K. introduced our own Roland Gagne to talk about the Rotary Grant he was applying for to help Iraq & Syrian Children that are Refugees in Jordon. 

Roland first apologized for no Power Point presentation because he has been running around with his Father to Doctors appointments this morning. 

Roland explained that when refugees come to Jordon they expect that they will only be there a short time & then get to go back to their country.
However, that has not been the case most of these people are very skilled people who are trying to protect their families and have been in Jordon for years now.
Jordon does not allow refugees to have a job in to work in Jordon.

The goal is to help out the refugee children in their formative years.
 The Grant is being supported by 3 Rotary Districts; our District, Pittsburg District & a Middle East District.  The total is $186,000.
The focus is to help 200 children 25 teens. It will also help educate their parents on why & how they can get the help.
The biggest hurdle is providing a sustainability requirement.  

Today Paul D. brought a guest Hasan Jasim who is from Iraq & taught in Jordon and lives in Biddeford. 
Hasan was introduced & members started to ask question.
Jim A.  Can you share how the schools work in Jordon?
Hasan, there are Public & Private schools and there is very little support from Jordon for refugees.  Also if there is money so much is taken off the top before it actually gets to the students. Roland G. explained that the way the grant is written that there should be very minimal “Graph”. 
Carl G. Asked how Hasan ended up in Maine. He explained that he was in the Iraq Army and decided to move to USA & he and his wife are part of the Biddeford community and volunteer at the schools.  Paul D. also shared that he thought that by having Hasan at the meeting we could better understand whether the Rotary was doing the right things with the Grant and what we should watch for. 
Bill K asked how much more money is need for the Grant. Roland explained that it is now fully funded. Jim G asked about the sustainable requirement Roland explained that it is hard but that he believes the pieces are there.  Hasan said there is some Government money that most likely will help for future tuitions. 

Jim Boyle mentioned that his step-daughter was presently in the US but will be going to Jordon as a US diplomat and he will make her aware of this program.
 

 
 
 
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