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Each January, Rotary District 6900 and the Dunwoody and Decatur Rotary
Clubs sponsor a weekend for GRSP students, encouraging them to pursue
Rotary’s ideal of "Service above Self." Students form a chapter of an
ERotaract Club, Nations Working Together, and develop plans for a
project they can execute upon returning to their homes. This project is
a significant part of their class legacy.
The Class of 2005-06 decided to dedicate their efforts to working with a
school in Medellin, Columbia, to help feed more than 2000 students, many
of whom have nothing to eat during the school day. Without proper
nutrition, these children do not develop properly and many faint in
class because they have not eaten for a day or two.
The biggest need is for funding to pay for the expansion of an existing
soy plant and bakery that the local Rotary Club uses to produce food
products for the children. There is a need for an additional soy plant
and accessories so that more food can be provided. This project already
has some local support from Colombian businesses, but more is needed.
Rotary District 6900, along with the Dunwoody and Decatur Rotary Clubs,
are assisting the Laureles Rotary Club to fully fund the project. The
local RotarAct club and former GRSP students will monitor the expansion,
and report to their fellow Classmates.
With so much violence and criminal activity in the neighborhood where
these children live, it is essential for them to receive proper
nutrition and support for their educations, so that they do not become a
part of the chaos surrounding them.
Photos: (Top left) Colombian children enjoy a breakfast
sponsored by the Rotary alumni. (Middle right)
Construction of the building for the
existing soy plant. (Middle left) Student and people from the
community working in the soy plant and bakery. (Bottom right) This
is a part of Santo Domingo Savio, the neighborhood where the school, soy
plant and bakery are located. |
