Activities

(Click on one of the "avenues of service" below to learn about our activities)

Adopt a Child - Save a Life:

The Rotary Club of Hamilton/Washington Township Sunrise, New Jersey, USA, joined the Rotary Club of Campinas-Alvarda Brazil, to rescue and care for children living In the streets in situations of ultimate risk. They are able to live in a rural center that provides a home, guidance, education and training in marketable job skills enabling them to become contributing members of society. Thus far we have: Traveled to Brazil on a fact finding mission to see the problem first-hand. Secured a $30,000.00 Matching Grant from the Rotary Foundation to purchase educational and transportation equipment Begun raising funds for an on site lake. Increased the awareness of the country of Brazil toward the plight of street children.

The program provides destitute children with safe shelter, educational and vocational training, social and moral values, medical attention, and a loving, caring environment. Rotary's mission is to work with abandoned adolescents living in situations of hopelessness and imminent risk, equipping them with the emotional, spiritual and professional traits and skills that they will need to become fulfilled and productive members of society.

The program provides a self-contained residential facility, complete with dormitories,cafeteria, classrooms, a working farm, infirmary and a recreational center. Most of the youth come to the program with little or no formal education. By the time they leave, they will have attained at least an 8th grade level of education and will have received extensive vocational training in a variety of technical fields, including auto mechanics, auto body and paint, civil construction, plumbing, carpentry, welding, graphic design, baking and nursing.

Upon completion of the five year program at a facility, the graduates are given the opportunity to choose a vocation and are assisted with job placement, living facilities at the graduate half-house and assured continued Rotary mentoring. In the last year, the young men and women will participate in internships.They will have the option of living for 6 months at a graduate house where they will learn various integration skills, such as budgeting and will have plug-ins to a local support system, such as church and/or Rotary. Our dream is to have this program spread throughout the world and provide hope for children who now have none.

In addition to helping the children, a wonderful friendship has developed between our two clubs that would never have happened if we had not joined forces in the name of Rotary. Because of the concern of a 7 year old boy in a Rotarian's classroom a great deal has been accomplished. Basic education equipment (VCR's and desks) and a van for transportation has been purchased using a Matching Grant. A 2nd facility replicating the original one has been started in another area with funds from a Rotary Foundation 3H Grant providing equipment and furnishings. An Agro-Environmental project is in progress to educate the young people to work in the agricultural field. It will also provide food products for the facility.

Jaipur Foot Project:

Natural calamities, manmade calamities, polio and accidents contributes to the large amount of footless community worldwide. Their population is very large in the rural areas all over the world. They become less productive, and cannot afford costly limbs. These unfortunates are heavily dependent on their family for food, shelter and medical care. Official estimates states that every year thousands of amputees are added to the amputee population all over the World. Against this, only a few thousand get artificial limbs in a year. The backlog, instead of being liquidated is growing year after year. The Answer - JAIPUR FOOT, India's contribution to the world of footless people can be assembled in just a day. The cost is only $28 per limb. It helps the footless people to build enthusiasm and confidence into one's personal life and become part of the mainstream society.

The need for on-the-spot fitment camps are very high and Rotary has been organizing such camps all over the globe to the greater satisfaction of the patients during the past. Rotary is determined to organize such camps to help liquidate the existing backlog of unreached amputees. During the 2001 - 2002 year, The Hamilton Washington Rotary teamed with Earlyact clubs throughout Hamilton and Washington Township schools. The students (elementary and middle school age) raised $1000. This amount has been matched by The Hamilton Washington Rotary Club. Currently, matching grants have been applied for that will increase this amount. These funds will go to provide limbs (at $28 each) as well as to provide camps that will fit the devices and teach the recipients how to use them.

Polio Vaccination - Madagascar:

Angela Borgia and Sim Rochonchou are presented with certificates in recognition of their work in Madagascar.

Exchange Students:

Horseback riding with exchange students.