Government of Canada Supports Rotary’s Efforts on the Organization’s 100th Anniversary

WINNIPEG ― On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, today congratulated Rotary Canada on its 100th anniversary.

"For a century, Canadian Rotary clubs have been adding to the vitality of their communities while never forgetting those living in poverty in developing countries," said Minister Toews. "Rotarians are truly global citizens, and CIDA is proud to partner with Rotary in our international development efforts to strengthen health, literacy, and education for children and youth."

Minister Toews demonstrated the Government of Canada's support of the Rotary's efforts with the announcement of a $3.1 million in funding over three years, which will support their international work in eight countries in Central America and Africa.

The announcement was made.at a Rotary Multi-District Conference in Winnipeg, celebrating the 100th year of Rotary in Canada. Founded in 1910, the Rotary Club of Winnipeg was the first club outside of the United States, thereby establishing Rotary International.

Through the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development (CRCID), today's contribution will help improve the health of infants and young children, provide fresh water and sanitation services, and improve the quality and relevance of basic education in Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda. This initiative is expected to directly benefit more than 144,000 individuals, of which almost 90 percent are children and youth. This project will further benefit another 2 million indirectly.

Also attending the conference was Rotary International President John Kenny, of Scotland.

"I am very pleased to be here amongst so many Canadian Rotarians to celebrate the 100th year of Rotary in Canada. The CRCID has made a significant impact in the lives of millions in the developing world. The Government of Canada's continued support will enable Canadian Rotary clubs to deliver effective aid projects where they are most needed."

The CRCID serves as CIDA's partner for all Canadian Rotary clubs for international development projects. It engages approximately 30,000 Canadian Rotarians in more than 600 communities across Canada.

Information:
Jessica Fletcher
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca

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Backgrounder

Government of Canada Supports the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development`s International Efforts


CIDA will provide $3.1 million over three years to the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development (CRCID) and its local partners to strengthen health, literacy, and education for children and youth in the Americas and in Africa. The CRCID will contribute $4.5 million for a total of $7.6 million.

The funds will be distributed in the Americas and in Africa as follows:

• Honduras - $1.7 million
• Guatemala - $1.19 million
• Belize - $886,000
• El Salvador - $792,000
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• Kenya - $957,000
• Uganda - $ 774,000
• South Africa - $717,000
• Cameroon - $537,000

Approximately $2.7 million will help improve infant and child health:

• The South Africa Community Development Care Centres and the Uganda "Taking Rotary Assistance to Community and Children'' programs will build upon earlier initiatives that focused on children affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
• This component will provide psychological and economic support to HIV/AIDS orphans and HIV/AIDS affected or infected adults by helping them to live healthy, fulfilled, and economically sustainable lives.
• Projects and programs will particularly address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. This initiative will seek to increase by 55 percent the number of orphans and vulnerable children receiving assistance.

Approximately $1.5 million will help provide water and sanitation services, including hygiene training:

• The Kenya Sustainable Water and Sanitation Program will help provide water and sanitation services by increasing access to potable water for 22,000 individuals through the construction of 2,200 rainwater-harvesting tanks.
• This program also supports environmental sustainability through an extensive tree-planting program and strengthens local leadership capacity through volunteer community groups called Rotary Community Corps.

Approximately $3.4 million will help improve the quality, safety, and relevance of basic education, including life skills training:

• All programs will seek to reduce the barriers to students receiving improved basic education.
• The Distributed Learning Program focuses on teacher training and curriculum.
• The Ripple Effect Program fights poverty through education by implementing projects that support the schooling of children.
• The Rural Community Development Program works in concert with three locally registered non-governmental organizations. The program provides assistance to rural villages by providing training in applied and practical skills that will enhance existing capacities in food processing and production, improve water supply, and provide vocational skills leading to self-employment for those marginalized through disability, youth, or under employment.
• The initiatives in Honduras and El Salvador focus on removing barriers to children's attendance at primary school.

Approximately 144,000 individuals will benefit directly and another 2 million will benefit indirectly from the program. Almost 90 percent of the direct beneficiaries will be children and youth.