"...a journey without challenge has no meaning; one without purpose has no soul..."

As stated in my first entry, Rotary has challenged me to do something. Here's what I've been able to accomplish my first month...
With the help of Cody Fischer, Rotary Scholar from MN, we connected my club, Dakar Soleil with a club a couple of clubs from Minnesota, USA. Through Rotary Matching Grants a project has been funded to distribute mosquito nets to a local village to prevent malaria. This year the project was independently funded and was able to distribute over 500 mosquito nets. The mayor of one village said this was the first year in 20 years that there were no deaths from malaria! Just think what we can do next year!



Here I was able to translate to seal the deal for the mosquito net project between the President of my club, Jose and Ann, Rotarian from MN. Being that it was only my second week of speaking French I was very glad that my club president also speaks Portuguse. It was a tri-lingual conversation but it got the job done!

There are currently 4 Rotary Scholars in Dakar. Cody, Me, Jamie (Canada) and Lucie (New Zealand, not pictured).

One of the questions during my interview for the grant was: "What are three of the biggest problems facing US society and what would you do to fix it?" First on my list was education standards and reform. I didn't realize at the time, that I would focus much of my Rotary scholarship on education issues. Cody and I have started an English Club at a local elementary school. We give two, one-hour classes on Monday and two, one-hour classes on Friday afternoons. As I learned from my teaching experience in Brazil, I have a lot to learn myself about how to teach in another language. Commands, games, songs, activities-- all in French! It's really made my French/English dictionary a close friend! This week we taught "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes!" Its gonna be great fun! (Pics will come as soon!)

Last night my club (I must say the best club in Dakar!!) hosted a dinner for the District Governor. Unlike districts in the States, my district here covers 14 countries! On the right is my club President, and next to him is the Govenor from Togo. It was a great night and I was able to make some great connections and was even invited to sit at the head table with the Governor!!

Our district conference is in April and the four of us look forward to traveling to Lome, Togo.

For more information on Rotary: www.rotaryinternational.org