Children read books they received through Gyan Jyot, a program of the Rotary Club of Baroda Sayajinagari.

By Rotary Voices staff

Rotary members in Gujarat, India, have launched a program to put books into the hands of children from low income families who cannot afford them, or whose schools lack large library collections.

Gyan Jyot is a program of the Rotary Club of Baroda Sayajinagari. For as little as $3,000, the club purchases and circulates a variety of reading material to students, who get to pick a book of their choice a week to read at no cost.

Books are rotated around so students constantly have a selection. Teachers are encouraged to assess student reading, and the club organizes a variety of competitive events to keep the children interested in reading.

Rotary members have given millions of dollars to support projects like these in our six areas of focus. This project is just one of many that members have shared on Rotary Showcase.

Other notable projects include:

• Rotary members in Woodinville, Washington, USA, are rescuing used therapeutic and mobility medical equipment before it is dumped in a landfill, having it refurbished, and sending it to low-income families in Mazatlan, Concordia, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The club partners with others and Rotaractors to prepare the donations and deliver then during a week-long visit to Mexico.
• The Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, Lagos State, Nigeria, organized a couple of events including a “Golden Walk” to raise awareness for polio eradication and promote Rotary. During the walk, members passed out handouts with an update on Rotary’s progress in eliminating the disease and an invitation to learn more about their club. The club held a family fun fair in December attended by more than 100 people including Rotarians, family members, Rotaractors, Interactors, and friends.
• Rotary members in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Bogotá-Laureles, Colombia, have raised $16,500 and are partnering with the Wheelchair Foundation to send 110 wheelchairs to victims of land mines in Colombia.

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