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As a young woman volunteering with the Peace Corps in Honduras from 1993 to 1995, I could never have predicted the direction my life would take. Each day presented a struggle for survival, without running water, electricity, or access to transportation. I faced encounters with flying cockroaches, tarantulas, and even a poisonous snake—ask me about that story in person! As I overcame my challenges, I was acutely aware that the women and girls in my village lacked the same tools and opportunities. Many were denied an education, marginalized, and fought for basic necessities like clean water and food. This stark reality strengthened my resolve to address the root causes of these challenges.
This October, we as Vienna Rotarians have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Not only can we educate ourselves about the struggles faced by individuals in our own communities—such as those who are unjustly incarcerated—but we can also actively engage in interventions that create lasting change in young lives and respond to people in crisis.
For the past few years, our Club has sponsored students at Leadership Mission International in Honduras. Later this month, we’ll hear an inspirational success story that demonstrates how effective this type of intervention can be. Closer to home, we’ll learn about the incredible progress made by ROYR over the past year, working directly with K-3 students in Title I schools in Fairfax County to improve literacy and foster a love of reading. The challenges are real, but so are the solutions.
As Rotarians, it is both an honor and a privilege to work with youth in these diverse ways. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to approach this important work. To equip ourselves with the appropriate techniques and ensure the safety of the youth we engage, our own Scott Butler and Lynn O’Connell will lead us through essential youth protection training. This meeting is particularly important for those interested in volunteering for the upcoming Children’s Christmas Party.
Throughout the month, we’ll be organizing a feminine hygiene product drive, with everyone encouraged to bring their collected items to our Club Service meeting on October 30th. These donations will be evenly split between BRAWS and the Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (in partnership with the McLean Rotary Club), supporting the urgent need for personal hygiene products for school-age girls and young women in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia, as well as right here in Vienna. By providing these essential items, we help ensure that girls can continue attending school and pursuing their education without the embarrassment or risks associated with a lack of protection.
As Rotarians, we are often called to respond when disaster strikes, and Hurricane Helene has devastated communities, leaving many without homes, food, or basic resources. In moments like these, I am once again reminded of my time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras, where resilience and community spirit were the bedrock of survival during times of crisis. We have an opportunity now to extend our support to those affected by this disaster, just as we strive to support vulnerable individuals in our local community. I encourage each of you to consider how we can mobilize to provide relief—whether through donations, partnerships, or hands-on involvement.
Let’s come together, drawing on the empathy and commitment that defines us as Rotarians, to offer hope and tangible help to those in need.
Yours in Rotary Service,
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