I returned recently from Guatemala, where I experienced first hand the value of our efforts to provide access to medical x-ray equipment for the over 15 million residents of that country. At the clinic in Mixco, where the first machine of our 29-machine "HealthRays: Guatemala" project was installed in late August and officially inaugurated by Rotary President Elect Gary Huang in early September, we learned that patients are coming into the clinic more quickly for attention to injuries and illnesses because their cases now can be analyzed quickly and handled locally instead of requiring an investment of a day or more of time to get evaluation and treatment at the closest public hospital. We learned that a trauma specialist physician has been added to the clinic staff because those cases are there to be treated. And we saw first-hand the importance to a family of having their small son receive an x-ray of his sinuses to determine whether he needed treatment for bacterial or for viral sinusitis so that his treatment could begin almost immediately and close to home.

PDG Pam, PDG Carlos and I met met with representatives of governments and international aid agencies committed to expanding public health services in Guatemala; and at the 21st annual Central America Project Fair, we met representatives of Rotary districts and Rotary clubs from Canada and the United States who were looking for projects to support that will address needs of under-served populations in Central America. Pam and Carlos are following up with all of them.

I am looking forward to our District Conference April 11-13 in Oak Brook. We'll begin our weekend together with the Paul Harris Luncheon at noon on Friday, April 11, and conclude late Sunday morning, April 13, after a brunch session that will include awards presentations and recognition of a number of clubs in the District. In between we will enjoy inspiring speakers, informative sessions, and great fellowship and fun in our House of Friendship and with evening Hospitality on Friday and Saturday.

Along with District Conference on Saturday, April 12, there will be our District Assembly to train incoming and continuing club leaders and a service project and the Youth Assembly for our Interact, Youth Exchange and RYLA participants. We will look together towards the future of Rotary in District 6440.

Whether you believe in the groundhog or trust in no weather predictions, I thank you for continuing your Rotary service in some challenging conditions and for your actions to improve the lives of so many individuals and families in need.

Governor Sarah