International Service Committee
Rotary clubs around the world collaborate to bring health, education and water and sanitation to International Communities. The Rotary Club of Uxbridge is no exception.
We donate annually to the Polio Plus initiative. Since beginning in 1985 when the annual toll resulting from Polio was 285,000, Rotary has successfully eliminated the disease from all but 2 countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 2020 the total number of reported cases was 140. Donations from Rotarians and Rotary clubs are matched 2 to 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. RC Uxbridge is proud to be part of this success.
For the past number of years, RC Uxbridge has supported the Ghana Health Team. The team is a group of Uxbridge-based doctors, nurses, dentists and other practitioners who travelled each year to provide healthcare in rural Ghana. The Health Team is now completing a permanent hospital. We are planning to work with other Rotary clubs in southern Ontario, with support from the Rotary Foundation, to provide medical equipment to the hospital.
Another project which we sponsor annually is the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise Adopt a Village in Laos. Each year, water supply infrastructure is provided to remote villages. Residents work with Rotarians to construct water catchment units and/or lay pipeline to bring water to the village. Filtration units are provided to households to ensure the water is safe for consumption.
For many years our club has supported two disaster relief organizations – Shelter Box and Disaster Aid. Rotary is not a first responder, we create sustainable solutions. But we recognize that immediate support is required when a disaster occurs and donate to these two organizations.
Our International Services Committee is ready to support humanitarian projects around the world as funds permit. We are proud of the role we have played in making the world a better place.