The Rotary Foundation (TRF)

Aim of the Rotary Foundation (RF)
"To do good in the World"
How does RF do good in the World?
1.   Through Rotary Scholars
Encourage work on vital subjects for sustainability, peace and greater sharing of World resources. Sponsor outstanding young candidates for education in areas of focus.

2 Global Foundation Scholars
Sarah Melville : M Sc in Refugee and Forced Migration. Declared  interest "Ending Slavery in  our generation"
Sponsored by RC of Beacon Falls, USA  District 7980
Hosted here by Michael Brown and our Club!
Joana Clemens : M Phil in Development Studies.
Sponsored by RC of Koln, FGR
Hosted here by Karen Eveleigh and RC of Oxford Spires
Two highly impressive individuals who want to change - improve the World!

3. By promoting World Peace.
RF has established centres in five universities, world-wide, for Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution.
60 people selected every year for M Sc in Peace Studies.
Amardeep Kainth, born and educated in Reading and sponsored by RC of Reading is District 1090's first Rotary World Peace Fellow, at International Christian University in Tokyo ( 2 years plus placement).

Shorter 3 month course at Chulongkom University in Thailand. Twice a year 30 participants complete
Certificate in Peace and  Conflict Studies
RF Global Fund meets costs of these Scholarships (no cost to our District).

4. Vocational Training Teams
Suggest an activity Travelling team with Rotarian Team Leader plus 2 or 3 members (often non-Rotarians). Go to another country for a few weeks to train locals (eg in midwifery) and to install/introduce new equipment.
First VTT from our District  led by Rotarian Gillian Pearce to train midwives/nurses in Kamuli, Uganda in techniques in midwifery in birth emergency schemes. Group of medical professionals worked in the Kamuli Mission Hospital for a month - training staff and providing equipment for sustainable facilities.

4.Global Grants
Grants available from RF for larger scale international projects (greater than $30,000). Few Clubs can raise such amounts alone. Clubs encouraged to collaborate to get District Designed grant; and then a top-up from RF.
Clubs  raised                     $10,000
District Grant                    $10,000
RF match District Grant  $10,000
RF match 50% Clubs don. $5,000
Total project value           $35,000

This is what we did  for the latrine blocks at 6 schools in "Kilifi". The project was led by  Pauline Lowe of RC of Eynsham and the President of the RC of Kilifi, Kenya.
The collaborating local Clubs were RCs of Bicester, Didcot, Eynsham, Faringdon and District, Oxford Spires and Witney.

5. "End Polio Now"
World -wide initiative since 1988
In 1985 Polio was endemic in 125 countries with over 300,000 new cases annually.
RI hub of organising and funding intensive immunisation process.
By 2014 Polio endemic in 3 countries (Pakistan, Afganistan and Nigeria). 325 cases worldwide this year
UN meeting "Polio eradication: A Call to Action" on
22 September 2014. WHO announced Polio a global health emergency. Formidable challenges in Pakistan
overcoming resurgence of Polio. Involvement at highest levels in Pakistan and Afganistan  and continuing support from global community -including RI - essential!

How does RF do good in the World?
RF has 6 Areas of Focus

Peace and Conflict Resolution
Disease Prevention
Water and Sanitation
Maternal and Child Health
Basic Education and Literacy
Economic Development

Grants from RF are only given to further one or more of these six Focuses.

The Rotary Foundation is Rotary's own charity, relying solely on Rotarians' financial donations from individuals or Clubs.
No-one else raises money for Foundation.

Please think about your own level of annual contribution, I shall be writing with RF details to newer Club members.

Brian Ford, Foundation Chair. 15-12-2014