January 2021 Newsletter
Trekking through the snow to deliver vaccines
Vaccinators tackle winter conditions and challenging contexts during Afghanistan’s last polio campaign of the year.
On a wintery November day, vaccinators across Afghanistan wrapped up warm, checked that they had facemasks and hand sanitizer, and headed out into the cold morning. Their mission? To reach 9.9 million children with polio vaccines, before snowfall blocked their way.
From valleys to muddy lanes, we look at some of the environments where vaccinators work, as well as some of the key challenges that have made 2020 one of the toughest years for polio eradicators.
Panjshir province
For some vaccinators, the first snows had already arrived. At the top of the Panjshir valley, Ziaullah and Nawid Ahmad started their day at 7am.
- $150 billion per year is made from forced labor of one form or other
- of that, $99 billion is made from sex trafficking
- 4.5 million people worldwide are victims of forced sexual exploitation
- 40.3 million people worldwide are now victims of forced labor
- Children as young as 1 year old can be victims
- 20% of all human trafficking victims are children
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona was officially incorporated January 9, 1991. This followed work by the original founders during 1990 to organize so they could incorporate as a non-profit charitable foundation.In April of 1992, TRVFA was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation.The founders worked with leaders in all three Arizona Rotary Districts at the time to go through a process to have TRVFA be authorized as an ongoing joint district project in the State of Arizona. To qualify for this status, the District Governors of all three districts as well as the District Governor Nominees signed documentation certifying that at least two-thirds of all Rotary Clubs in each of the three districts had elected to support their districts' participation in the multidistrict activity. On October 7, 1993, Spencer Robinson, Jr., who was the General Secretary of Rotary International at that time, signed a document certifying that the Rotary International Board of Directors had authorized Districts 5490, 5500, and 5510 to continue to be organized and conduct this multidistrict service activity. For readers who enjoy Rotary history and would like to see a copy of this historic document, CLICK HERE.
The current Board of Directors of TRVFA has established an ambitious fundraising goal for this anniversary year of $300,000, with the hope of growing beyond each successive year going forward.
Donations to TRVFA qualify for the Arizona income tax credit for donations to a Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO code is 20698). For most donors, their donation may not cost them anything in the long run. Since they receive a dollar for dollar credit on their state income tax - they will either pay an equally smaller amount when they file their tax return or receive a larger refund.
For TRVFA to qualify as a Qualifying Charitable Organization, grant recipients must meet specific low income guidelines and reside in the State of Arizona.
The vocational education grants provided by TRVFA are currently limited to $2,000 per scholar in order to be able to serve more students. The majority of vocational education programs cost considerably more than that amount. The board has set the ambitious fundraising goal with the hope of increasing that maximum grant amount.
TRVFA is the only Qualifying Charitable Organization in Arizona which was formed by Rotarians to work together on a multi-district on-going Vocational Service project. Still managed by Rotary Volunteers, it is hoped that recognition of this 30-year anniversary will be a point of pride, and Rotarians will advocate for support within their clubs and in each Rotarian's circle of influence.
TRVFA grants literally enable the recipients to lift themselves out of poverty, Help someone help themself. Go to trvfa.org and click DONATE NOW.
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LTE was started as a small community service project in 2018 with its mission to promote primary education in underprivileged communities. LTE
was chartered as a 501(c) (3) organization in July 2018. Over the past 3 years, LTE has fundraised over $15,000 with designated contributions of sourced locally school supplies, uniforms, loaded backpacks, roof and building improvements, hearing aids and gifts to schools in India, Ghana and United States.
In July 2020, LTE launched its mentorship program, which is a virtual mentorship platform that connects qualified high school and university students with underserved students. Its success is measured through increased literacy rates and communication skills, as well as, enhanced critical thinking skills.
GIVING, APPRECIATING AND DOING SERVICE
Not everybody celebrates Christmas, but everyone can have a Christmas spirit which is ”simply an honest spirit of love for all humanity. It is theforce that moves us to give what we can, to help as we are able and to always be of kind comfort.”
~Richelle Goodrich.
Here are three components to consider;
Giving: In order to embrace the true meaning of Christmas, we need to reach down within ourselves and be willing to give ourselves and others our love. The gifts we give are a symbol of our love, not an obligation. As we give, so we should reflect upon the fact that no gift can truly ever equal the love we give to another person and the time spent together with them.
Appreciating: Appreciation is so important. We may feel dissatisfied with our lives, focusing on all the things we want to have. Yet, we spend almost no time appreciating what we already have, and feeling grateful for it. Gratitude, appreciation for what we have and a loving heart, these are what the Christmas spirit is all about.
Doing service: Embracing the spirit of Christmas also means giving to those most in need. Doing some service for someone in need or even anonymously leaving a donation. Such actions demonstrate an understanding of the real nature of Christmas. We can enjoy this period more fully when we help others who are in need.
The Rotary Club of Scottsdale (RCS) welcomed Craig Moringiello, Assistant Special Agent in Charge – Phoenix Division of the Federal Bureau to Investigation to the Club’s hybrid meeting. The meeting was held via Virtual Zoom Meeting, as well as, on site luncheon at the Scottsdale McCormick with specific temperature check, limited seating, masks required and social distancing practices.
Since 2002, Special Agent Moringiello has participated in various FBI counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and espionage investigations throughout the U.S. When introducing Special Agent Moringiello, RCS Club President Richard Signeski noted that Special Agent Moringiello spent ten years as a Naval Flight Officer and that he had earned a bachelor degree from United States Naval Academy and a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Per a quote from U. S. Department of Defense, Special Agent Moringiello stated: “inter-state strategic competition, not terrorism, is now the primary concern in U. S. national Security.” The FBI’s Counterintelligence Strategy’s mission is to defeat hostile activities targeting the United States.
Susan introduced our speaker of the day, Samuel Moore-Sobel, author, speaker and col- umnist, who recently completed his debut memoir “Can You See My Scars” in which he describes the trauma of being a burn victim. His book is available on Amazon.
Samuel was 15 in 2009, just ready to start his sophomore year in high school, when disaster struck. He was hired for the day to move boxes and furniture to make a little extra spending money for school when one of the boxes containing sulfuric acid exploded badly burning Samuel’s face and arms. Treatment included multiple surgeries. Although Samuel didn’t feel lucky, doctor’s told him how lucky he was that he didn’t lose his eyesight and the acid did not burn his esophagus.
Samuel, now a hand-some twenty-six year old with little or no apparent visible scars, at least via Zoom, talks about the impact the accident had on him both physically and emotionally, both as a young high-schooler but also over the years. He said he not only had physical scars, but also emotional scars as evidenced by insomnia, flash backs and thoughts of suicide. Through counseling that gave him a Tool Box to help the healing process - medications, counseling, journaling and talking about the accident with others, he was able to finish HS and college on time and obviously go on to become a successful young adult!
Now on the 11th anniversary of the accident he has completed his first book, “Can You See My Scars.” He indicated that scars are now a reminder of what he’s been able to overcome and to turn a negative situation into something positive that will also help others. A percentage of the proceeds from his book will go to burn survivors.
Our thanks to Samuel for his inspirational message and for sharing with us from his home in Virginia—he says this was his first time to address a west coast audience! A book will be donated in Samuel’s honor to and Osborn District School.
Attending this year’s convention will allow you to connect with new friends, find new opportunities for service, learn fresh skills, and explore innovative ways to make a lasting impact in your community.
You won’t want to miss the energy of the 2021 Rotary Convention in Taipei, Taiwan.