INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

Guatemala Medical, Dental and Vitamin Project

Recently our club has partnered with the Rotary Club of Lemoore to support an annual trip to Guatemala to provide medical, dental and vitamin support to remote, underserved and poor villages. Guatemala faces some of the highest rates of childhood malnutrition globally, leading to devastating health consequences. These include chronic malnutrition causing developmental delays and lifelong health challenges which hinder physical and cognitive development, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting the potential of entire communities. Providing vitamins and other services to these children and their families is a cost-effective way to combat the high rates of malnutrition, anemia, and micronutrient deficiencies in Guatemala. We are pleased to participate in this project to ensure that these children, and their families, receive the nutrients they desperately need to lead healthier and more productive lives.

The Safe Blood Africa Project 

Previously, the Rotary Club established 22 blood banks in Nigerian hospitals that helped to save an estimated 16,000 lives per year. The Safe Blood Africa Foundation started a "Train the Trainer" hospital training program to expand and sustain the practice of modern transfusion medicine in Nigeria. We also joined with the Global Network for Blood Donations, local and regional blood banks to increase blood donations in California and worldwide.  Two blood mobiles were sent to Nigeria by our Rotary District 5230 – a combined effort of District-wide Rotary clubs.

Safe Water 

Unsafe water is the primary cause of death in developing countries around the world. Carmel Valley Rotary sponsored the construction of a potable water storage tank in a remote village in Ecuador, a septic tank system at a school in Haiti, and built five wells and water systems for five secondary schools in Nigeria.