1st Blog of Jan/ Feb. 2014 Rotary Water/ Sanitation Trip

January 27, 2014

Excited with anticipation and proud to be a Providence Rotarian!

 

Today's weekly meeting was started with an excellent inspiration - a quote from Mahatma Gandhi  - “Consciously or unconsciously, every one of us does render some service or another. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and it will make not only for our own happiness, but that of the world at large.” 

We all have the opportunity to provide service above self in one way or another, and everyone chooses a different way to provide that service. 

I have chosen to provide my service above self in many ways, but beginning on Saturday, along with 3 other Providence Rotarians we are going to La Romana, Dominican Republic and participate in the Clean Water and Sanitation Education to the members if various bateys in La Romana.  We are again hoping to install water filters and give the people of the bateys the opportunity to have clean drinking water, so for the first time ever.  We are going to educate the leaders of the bateys how to educate their members about sanitation and healthy habits, giving them a opportunity for a healthier lifestyle.  We are also planning of visiting schools on the bateys and in the city of La Romana.  This is what the four of us will be doing, but it is because of the dedication and friendship of people at home in our community that we are going to be able to do even more!

The service above self that our Providence Rotarians, community members and our friends have given is the true gift.   A few weeks ago I put out an email to our club members, the community and my friends, and what we received was unbelievable!!!  The picture attached is what we received  from all of you!  Over 200 pounds of donations that include school supplies -notebooks, composition books, lined paper, colored pencils, pencils, pencil sharpeners, crayons, markers, rulers, erasers, and 60 Spanish/ English dictionaries!  We received children's medicine, vitamins and band aids.  We received countless numbers of  balls, bubbles, and frisbees!  We also received an abundance of children's undies and clothes.  Most impressive was the over $350 collected to be donated so that the children of the bateys will have text books to learn about the world around them!  We have packed all of the items and will be bringing them directly to those in need!  (We will take lots of pictures and send them along to all of you! 

 

I want to mention a special THANK YOU to the Providence Rotarians who gave the much needed items and money, The Providence Charities Foundation for the money for the new water filters for the bateys, to our neighbors and friends (you know who you are - xoxo), Warwick Girl Scout Troop 186 and Troop 164, East Greenwich Chamber members, Temple Sinai members, our friend Martin for all the bubbles, Payden and Co for the 1000 pencils and Mrs Bailey from Scott School!  We could not do this without all of your support!  It is unbelievable the dedication of so many! 

 

Make sure to follow us on the Providence Rotary Facebook page!    We will be sending updates daily beginning Sunday, February, 2.  Also feel free to be in touch if you have any questions! 

 

Again, thank you all!!!!

Jenny Miller

Providence Rotary President