International Service

MISSION STATEMENT: All International Service Projects are to be beneficial, visionary, inclusive, and cost effective.

Bio-Sand Filtration Project – Dominican Republic. A joint project with the Beverly Hills Rotary Club and others, this project will provide clean water filtration systems to poor, rural areas of the Dominican Republic. The original bio-sand filter systems were bulky and heavy. Newly designed filters will be smaller and more portable, making them easier to distribute to households rather than only to villages.

Treats children with cleft lips and palate anomalies. The BHRC has applied for a Rotary Foundation grant of $20,000. The WVRC has committed to this project by being a major sponsor and contributing $5,000.

Water Pasteurization Indicator (“WAPI”) - World Wide Application. We will be continuing our work in this worthwhile project, having completed the assembly of several hundred “WAPIs” earlier this year. Water related diseases are responsible for 80% of all illnesses and deaths in the developing world. A solution is to purify water by utilizing solar energy which kills disease-causing organisms. The “WAPI” is a simple, low cost device containing a special soy wax which liquefies when the water reaches pasteurization temperatures. We will be once again be assembling “WAPIs” later this year in conjunction with the Fresno Rotary Club.

House Building Project (Mexico). In prior years, we have participated in the construction of a family residence under the sponsorship of Corazon and the American Martyrs Church. In some years, we have partnered with the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club. We are currently exploring the possibility of continuing this project with additional partners and/or sponsors for this Rotary year.

Japanese Exchange Program. For many years, we have participated in this program by hosting visiting Japanese students. We have provided tours of UCLA and the Getty Museum, along with lunch. We plan to continue our participation in this project in the future.

Rotary Youth Exchange Program. As in past years, we plan to sponsor one or more youths to Japan this year.