International Service

International Service describes the activities, which Rotarians undertake to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace. The spread of Rotary clubs across the globe allows for the concerted Rotary support of humanitarian efforts worldwide.

Our club has focused its energy for the past couple of years on the support of two orphanages in Novosibirsk, Russia. The project actually began in 1998 when a young couple attended one of our club meetings and spoke about their personal quest to adopt two young boys from a Russian orphanage. We learned of the conditions of the orphanages and of the tremendous need for assistance. We also met the two young boys that the couple adopted, and the love that they all shared made it obvious to us that we needed to help these children.

The first of the two orphanages is Cherepanov, which houses approximately 65 infants and young children up to the age of four years. Their adoption rate is approximately 25%. Their greatest needs are for medicine, kitchen and laundry equipment and a new roof. The second orphanage houses 115 children between the ages of four and sixteen years old. Most of the older children have grown up in the orphanages. Their greatest needs are recreational and educational equipment and supplies.

With the assistance of one of our own club members, Dr. Ed Stephen, we were able to proceed with the project. Dr. Stephen had just begun working in Russia and was able to act as our liaison. We initially collected clothing, books and various supplies. We shipped these over with Dr. Stephen, along with over a thousand dollars for other needs at the orphanage. It was discovered that the best thing for our club to do was to provide money for the purchase of items in Russia. The U.S. dollar held considerably more buying power in Russia, and all necessary items were available there.

Our club was able to gain the support of the Mt. Airy Rotary Club, two Rotary Clubs in Novosibirsk, Rotary District 7620, and Rotary District 5010 in Alaska, USA. The necessary forms were completed and sent off to Rotary International headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. In April of 2001, our matching grant came through, allowing our club, along with our partners, to provide approximately $20,000 US to purchase medicine, books, toys, cooking equipment, etc. for the two orphanages.

It is the intent of our club to provide continued support for the orphanages, doing annual fundraisers and sending continued financial assistance

Another international project that our club has participated in is the Group Study Exchange (GSE) Program. The GSE sends delegations of non-Rotarians to other countries and hosts foreign delegations in the United States. Our club has assisted in the GSE program by providing housing for visiting participants in the program. We have also had the visiting delegations come to our club to do programs. In the 2002 - 2003 Rotary year, our club has had presentations from, and hosted members of, the delegation from Thailand.

Future International projects include assisting the Frederick Area Interact Club in traveling to Canada and the British Isles. We are also investigating the possibility of hosting a student for a year as part of the student exchange program.