Rotary Foundation’s support in the face of COVID-19
Robert Ingersoll said, “We rise by lifting others “a saying that Rotarians take quite literally. During these very uncertain times, when the entire world is facing a global pandemic and every nation and person has their antennae up to see what tomorrow brings, then fear and uncertainty may begin to creep in. But, Rotarians have come out, mobilizing themselves and finding unique ways to meet virtually and brainstorm to add their effort to existing systems and structures in the fight against COVID-19.
As people of action, Rotary members want to find ways to help people affected by it and or those who have it by strengthening the system to be able to provide care and support. To help support the desires of Rotarians across the Globe, The Rotary Foundation has provided for at least 2 options that this District can explore to complement its effort in fighting COVD-19 and what this support means for the District.
a. A Disaster response grants and the Rotary Disaster Response Fund
A Disaster Response Grant is a grant to support Districts that have been affected by natural disasters. The grant can be used to launch their own projects or work with established relief organizations to help their communities recover. This grant provides a fast and effective way to respond to local events.
The Rotary Foundation recently added COVID-19 projects to this list. Each district can apply for one grant of up to $25,000 to address COVID-19. What this therefore means for D9212 is that they are open to reach for this grant to support in fighting COVID-19 within the District.
b. Global Grant
Global grants support large activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary’s areas of focus and they are an excellent way to make a transformative long term impact in a community. The minimum budget for a global grant project is $30,000 and therefore this will allow the District to implement more cash-intensive interventions like purchasing of medical equipment. To help reach out to Global Grants in response to COVID-19, The Rotary Foundation has waived the 30% foreign financing requirement. This means that while it is still a requirement that the District needs an International Partner, the International Partner doesn’t have to bring in their cash contribution. This makes it all easier to get International partners.
As Rotarians and Friends of Rotary, as the District pursues these funding options, what can we do?
a. Join the emergency response team
Rotary D9212 had Rotarians volunteer to constitute an Emergency Response Team in the face of this pandemic. The Team which is chaired by Dr. Joe Kamau currently the District Membership Chair holds virtual meetings and Rotarians share ideas in mobilizing resources and creating awareness within the District. During this week, the team has received and distributed 100 water tanks to various high-risk areas.
b. Your donation is needed
To be able to implement more activities in the District, the District needs your support. Rotarians and Friends of Rotary have come up to support other people even when they themselves were in similar positions. The Service above Self again has been taken quite literally and Rotarians have not shied away from reaching out to others. There are millions and millions of people who still live from hand to mouth and will need to be supported to shield them from exposure. Facilitating some of their working areas or where they live so that they are able to maintain a high level of cleanliness is therefore necessary.
Help us to reach out and once this is over, we shall proudly as usual join hands and say, we did not just sit and watch. We did something.
Using the details below, please consider making a donation because “We rise by lifting others.”
Article by: Elizabeth Ng’ang’a – Fund Development Specialist | Foundation Services
