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by Robin Loving When 620 Rotarians from Mexico, the United States and Canada gathered in San Miguel in late February for the Rotary International Mexico conference, arguably the most inspirational experiences occurred during field trips. Transformation was literally on display as Rotarians visited empowerment programs for adults, children, and rural communities. Former migrant worker Ezequiel Mojica explained how he had overcome the “nightmares” of poverty and violence to found and direct Apoyo a Gente Emprendadora for the past 21 years. His program has helped 1,500 men and women obtain education and funding for small businesses. The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday’s Skills for Success program with Apoyo is funding training in eight trade areas, launching plumbers, electricians, caregivers, technicians, salespeople, customer service agents, graphic designers and residential maintenance workers. Visiting Rotarians also attended a presentation of the club’s Girls’ Empowerment Program. This program has taught more than 4,500 fifth- and sixth-grade girls in three years about how a woman’s monthly cycle is comparable to the seasons of the year, the cycles of the moon and the natural elements of air, earth, fire and water. Empowered with information, self-confidence and reusable hygiene kits the girls receive at the end of the 5-day workshop, the state secretary of education notes that they are staying in school more years and are at less risk of dropping out. Club members and visitors traveled to a rural community to see examples of rain-harvesting water cisterns and dry composting toilets. Community members gave testimonials about how the education training and resources assist their families. They then shared a homemade lunch featuring a salad called flor de sabila, or flower of the aloe vera plant, among other local dishes. Speaking on behalf of the community’s families, Diego Picon, coordinator of the community radio station, said, “We appreciate that you began with cisterns, for we have a very bad situation with our water here,” said Diego Picon, who coordinates the community radio station. “First, there is little water. Second, it is poisoned with arsenic and fluoride which have made us sick with renal failure among other things. Third, we appreciate having indoor bathroom facilities, for it used to be dangerous to go into the countryside for these necessities,” he continued. “Fourth, thank you for ecological ovens, for these are allowing us to bake and sell to help us economically as we have little firewood locally for baking. Fifth, thank you for helping us with beekeeping, which is producing an economic lifeline for us. Only a few of our families have these essentials, or grey water systems to enable us to safely use wastewater for other essentials, he continued. “The heard of all this is the vision of the community and the process of community organization. Thank you for supporting our community in whatever else you might do in the future,” he concluded. In his closing remarks at the end of the RIMEX conference, Rotary International President-Elect Yinka Babalola from Nigeria shared his experience of visiting the Girls’ Empowerment Program, and his desire to see this type of program duplicated throughout Mexico and other parts of the world. Rotary is where neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change. For more information, contact President Andrea Spessard at [email protected] and/or Vice President of Club Services Robin Loving at [email protected], and/or see rotarysmamidday.org and/or Apoyomexico.com, and/or contact Pincon@[email protected].
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