A boy in Belize holds the solar powered light that replaces dangerous kerosene lamps, provided by Rotary members in Austin, Texas.

By Rotary Voices staff

Rotary members in Nigeria banded together to provide 850 children in Nnewi, Anambra State, with medicine to kill a type of intestinal worm transmitted through the soil.

A single 400 milligram tablet of Abendazole deworms the children and kills the parasite, which is prevalent in many areas of Nigeria. The project is an example of Rotary’s work in preventing disease, but also in supporting education, as the parasite affects the children’s ability to concentrate on school work.

Members of the club distributed the tablets in October to an enthusiastic group of school staff and students. The project is just one of many that Rotary members have shared on Rotary Showcase.

Other notable ones include:

• Rotary members in Jordan are planting Oak trees, with the help of Rotaractors and Interactors, to reforest areas of their country and counter the effects of global warming. The oak is the national tree of Jordan. Members planted 500 trees near Berain in January, and plan to plant more as funds become available. The clubs are working with Al Shajarah, formed in 2007 to conserve Jordan’s bio diversity, educate people on the importance of trees, and increase the amount of land covered by forests.
• The village of Roma in Fiji has been growing faster than the water supply can keep up, so members of the Rotary Club of Suva East built a new water catchment to provide water to villagers.
• Kerosene lamps cause millions of deaths a year, according to the World Health Organization. Rotary members in Austin, Texas, have been providing solar powered lights to homes in Belize through the Grid Earth Project.
• Inspired by Rotary’s emphasis on building peace, Rotary members in Tide Head, New Brunswick, Canada, created a peace park, inviting members of the community and elementary school children to join in planting perennials, wildflowers, berry bushes, and trees. Members served hot dogs and burgers at a grand opening in June, and invited residents to plant a perennial. The park includes a butterfly habitat, nature trails, and educational signs.

Is your club’s project on Rotary Showcase? Find out how easy it is to share your project.