The Power and Reach of Rotary

Bob Sherman, Chairman of the Duluth 25 Rotary World Service Committee and GTLI Executive Director, Lori Pappas, at the May 29, 2013 rotary meeting in Duluth MN. Over the past two years, Duluth 25 Rotary, Proctor High DECA club and a host of others raised $50,500 in support of GTLI water projects in SW Ethiopia. In collaboration with Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship, these committed Minnesotans thousands of miles from Ethiopia, have refurbished 20 water wells, providing access to clean drinking water for 10,000 people.

“Real money going to real people that is making a significant difference. I also want to thank everyone for their emotional support. It gives me the energy to keep going,” stated Lori.

Making the presentation is TJ Lind, the 18 year old Proctor DECA student who led the community engagement activities to raise this money. Dr. Bill Himango and Crystal Taylor spent 10 days in March/April 2013 visiting the water sites and meeting the people enjoying their clean water.

Upcoming Speaking Event

On Wednesday, May 22nd at the Minneapolis Club, Lori Papas and Julie Krieger will be discussing their work to maximize the impact of charitable donations. View the flier for more details:

The Learn and Play Center is a big success!

A new coat of paint, clever pictures, toys, puzzles and games turned GTLI’s Learn and Play Center into a magnet for community children AND our most regular little community participant is female – Gardo!

Gardo, a lovely little Hamar beauty, joins the orphans every day to learn and play.

Abeba is Team Leader of GTLI’s Orphan and Vulnerable Children program. She’s amazing – organized, competent and leads with a gentle loving hand. The local government informed us last week that 3-4 more orphans will soon be arriving at our camp, bringing the total to ten.

As of April 1, 2013, we are serving one meal plus snack to all community children who participate in the Learn/Play program in addition to the orphans. We want all hungry children to receive at least one meal per day.

The GTLI Learn and Play Center has become “the place to play” for Hamar children. Our wonderful Aussie volunteer, Margaret Mueller, took time from mentoring Hamar women beaders to decorate the playroom.

Duluth MN Rotarians, Bill Himango and Crystal Taylor, came to the field bearing gifts for the children. The kids are besides themselves with joy.

In six short months, the OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) project has expanded from caring for four children to supporting ten orphans and teaching 16 children daily. This project is solely supported by individual donations. Please donate and join our family.

Innovative new cross-tribe initiative 

February 1, 2013, GTLI started working with Hamar’s neighboring tribe, Bena, who live in Benatsemay woreda directly adjacent to Hamar woreda in South Omo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. And, Hamar community leaders are facilitating the learning process for this neighboring tribe!

Thanks to the generosity of Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship, Rotary Club of Duluth MN, Nor’Wester Rotary Club of Port Angeles WA and Rotary Club of Southington CT – 5,000 Bena tribe members will have access to clean water and will learn healthy hygiene and sanitation behavior taught and modeled by Hamar tribe early adopters .  In addition to the refurbishment of five non-functioning water wells in Benatsemay woreda, 540 households in Hamar woreda will receive water filtration systems by June 30, 2013.

Please note: funding for this initiative is $11,700 short so any and all contributions will be greatly appreciated!

1,877 people made snow angels

Make your Mark: Angels for a Cause event at the University of Minnesota Duluth on Saturday in Duluth, Minn. Clint Austin | Forum News Services

Learn more about the Make your Mark event here: http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/content/1877-people-made-snow-angels