We were graced with a visit (Virtually) from former Exchange Student Daniella from her home in the Faro Islands:
She had a short presentation about her year after exchange:
She arrived home on April 20, 2020. She had to spend two weeks in isolation on arriving home. Some friends had made her a box of activities and goodies to welcome her home. They could only visit through window for two weeks. She had too much free time.
She experienced a Reverse Culture Shock on returning home. Part due to her forced quarantine for two weeks, but also changes. One of those changes was an exchange student Ava living with her family.
Once her quarantine was over, she got back out with friends and met Ava. They met each others friends and thus had more friends. They had excursions with Ava including to Denmark.
Daniella is now in Glasir school 20Z where she is taking natural sciences (chemistry and biology) She will be at this school for three years before going to University in Denmark.
She is working at Sport 24, a store selling sport clothing. She also works at a bar, starting cleaning tables etc. but she turned 18 in January and is now a bar tender. She is legal, has her drivers license.
There are no COVID restriction in the Faro Islands currently. Their numbers have been low. They have only about 50,000 people and have administered 245,485 COVID tests, virtually everyone tested 5 times.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
R Steve introduced R Bob Wallace. Bob was District Governor for D7070 in 2011-2012, and currently Assistant Rotary Coordinator Zone 24 East.
Bob was born in London Ontario where he grew up and went to Western graduating in Engineering. After a short stay in Ottawa Bob and his wife Kathy moved to Port Hope. They have two children (Kristen and Andrew) and four grandchildren; Deveraux, Preston, Natalie and David. Kathy is a retired registered nurse.
Bob spent his career working in the nuclear energy industry in Port Hope and recently retired after 37 years.
Living in Port Hope Bob has volunteered with various organizations and joined Rotary in 1988. He was club president in 1997 / 98. He has served in multiple roles in his own club and at District level. In 2012 he and Kathy went to India to participate in a Polio National Immunization Day. Bob is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society Member, Major Donor and Foundation Benefactor.
Bob shared with us today an overview of The Rotary Foundation - Doing Good in the World.
He presented a summary of Charity Navigator, an independent watch dog of charities. They rank TRF their highest ranking - 4 stars. With 92% of funds raised going to those in need. A well managed and organized charity.
Bob showed us a five year summary of the Rotary Club of Brighton's giving to TRF. All this information is available on the Rotary International site for Rotarians.
He explained Every Rotaryian Every Year (EREY). The goal is that every Rotarian will donate something to TRF each year. Any amount. Currently only about 1/3 of Rotarians do.
Sustaining members donate every year at least $1,000 US annually.
Paul Harris Society donate cumulative $1,000 US.
Rotary International has averaged that if all clubs donated $1,500 annually to Polio Plus in order to take maximum advantage of the Bill and Melinda Gates challenge to match funds.
Rotary keeps annual fund giving for 3 years, then gives 50% back to districts to decide where to spend it, while the other 50% goes to the Global Account for Global Grants.
Grants have to support Rotary's areas of focus. Traditionally six areas of focus:
Peace and Conflict Resolution
Disease Prevention and Treatment
Water and Sanitation
Maternal and Child Health
Basic Education and Literacy
Economic and Community Development
and in July a new 7th focus - The Environment.
Deadline for District Designated Funds in May 31. But there is no deadline for Global Grant applications.
All monies to Polio Plus go directly to the Polio eradication campaign.
Bob shared some examples of Global and District grants. Also how we can donate.