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On Wednesday July 18 Faribault Rotary had the pleasure of hearing from Ed Marek District 5960 Governor Elect for the 2020-21 Rotary year. Ed joined us to talk more about Fast for Hope - a program that is unique to our district. Members skip their Rotary meal and donate $10.00 to the district to go toward a long running project in El Corozo, Nicaragua, a community facing extreme poverty. The program doesn't use Foundation dollars, (it is eligible to apply for Foundation grants) Fast for Hope depends solely on Rotarian contributions.
This program allows the citizens of El Corozo to be creative, try new ideas and take risks. Mistakes may be made, but the program will be here as long as it is needed. The citizens work together to determine what the community needs, a board of 9 Rotary members and teams of volunteers assists them to help meet the needs they identify. "The community is in the driver’s seat", according to Ed, "we don't just show up and say 'here is what you need', we are trying to empower them."
There are a number of different projects they are looking at next, to date they have constructed a community gathering place, taken a community census, developed an evaluation process, training for 37 Nicaraguans in community development and have a community plan in place with 4 committees with a focus on Literacy, Health, the Road, and Water. A few other accomplishments to note, a small school, new outhouses, a women's project, and there is a Doctor who visits for a half of a day, once a week.
Our district is supporting this project with funds and 26 delegates, 60 Rotarians who have been able to visit Nicaragua, and 10 Nicaraguan delegates have visited Minnesota and Wisconsin. Currently there is not a return visit to Nicaragua scheduled, however we can keep an eye on Fast for Hope District 5960 on line for announcements and regular updates on this project.
Thank you, Ed, for joining us! We look forward to learning even more.