We had 19 online attendees for our April 14 “Zoom” meeting (including 3 welcome Guests: PDG Rick Mendoza, PDG Joe Vasquez), & Makiko Nakasone (Little Tokyo Club).
PDG Dave Moyers presented photos of his recent experiences on the District 5280 Humanitarian trip to Oaxaca in southwestern Mexico Feb 26-Mar 2. They participated with the local District 4195 Rotary Clubs on 13 projects in the Oaxaca area region including mountain villages, investing a total of $400,000 plus their volunteer time. Dave focused on 4 projects (couldn’t visit them all). Rotary sponsors 5 humanitarian project areas, funded by Rotary Global and District grants and Club funds: Water & Sanitation, Basic Education & Literacy, Economic & Community Development, Maternal & Child Health, & Disease & Conflict Prevention & Resolution.
The visiting Rotarians delivered an ultrasound machine to a community medical clinic. They provided musical instruments for child musicians (some begin learning to play them as early as age 2 years). Rotaractors brought hundreds of backpacks in their luggage and delivered them to school-children. The Rotarians brought recycling bins to a community to help them raise money and improve the environment by recycling. They even learned how to make adobe bricks by making ~200 of them (may come in handy for that next remodeling project back home).
Dave showed views of the historical areas of Oaxaca (where the Mexican Revolution started). A former convent was re-invented as a hotel. They visited archeological sites (pre-Hispanic pyramids), and had a memorable Farewell Dinner. Future District Humanitarian trips will be great opportunities to share “Rotary Moments”.