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International
Service Chair
Mark Rogo (2008-2009)
MISSION STATEMENT: All International Service Projects are to be
beneficial, visionary, inclusive, and cost effective.
ON-GOING INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
PROJECTS
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.
District ROTAPLAST Mission (Mexico)
Joint project with the Beverly Hills Rotary Club.
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.
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