Rotary Club of Humble recognized the non-profits in the area that they support through the support of the many Community Sponsors that we had at lunch today. It was a full room! Thank you to everyone that supports Rotary and our non-profits!
In the remote northwest corner of Nicaragua, just three hours from Houston, Texas there lived over 800 children living off of the garbage of the city dump of the city of Chinandega, Nicaragua. These children were digging through the garbage, with their bodies full of open sores, desperately looking for something to eat. Children were competing with dogs, cattle and adults for scraps of food.
In 1995 a missionary, Padre Marco Dessy, began working with these children by means of a small school where the students also received a hot lunch each day; but he only had room and funds to support about 90 children. A Rotary Club from Humble, Texas began an effort to expand the school and provide additional funds. Then in 1998, Hurricane Mitch destroyed the northern region around Chinandega leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless with their homes, farms, cattle, tools and everything gone. They also ended up at the city dump compounding the problem. Rotarians from the Houston area responded.
The original School of the Dump was expanded to include all grades from pre-K through high school. A Trade School was also built as well as a live-in school for blind children, a hospital, medical and dental clinics, a pregnant women’s shelter and much more.
In 2001, after the Rotary International Convention in San Antonio, Texas, other Rotary districts from Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Colorado, North Texas, Ohio, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, decided to join the rescue mission. Since then many other great miracles have happened for those children in desperate need.
Today more than 1,700 children benefit from our programs. We have seen the miracles of the children of the dump become CPAs, attorneys, doctors, businessmen, teachers … and more scholars are in the pipeline. We have expanded our programs to other regions of Nicaragua and today ” The Children of the Dump” program has become a model for Rotary International on how to help break the cycle of extreme poverty in the world. It can be done and this is the living proof.
This history is dedicated to Father Marco Dessy of Chinandega, Nicaragua, the Humble Rotary Club in Houston, TX, its District 5890, the organization HOPE & Relief International, Inc. and the extraordinary efforts of hundreds of Rotarians under the guidance of Dennis Adams, Frank Huezo, Jim Kite, Larry Wright, and Mike McCullough
For more information visit the web site of Hope & Relief International @http://hopeandrelief.org/hope/
At the meeting last week assistant Governor Dale Mellencamp offered some kind words about the history of our club with the Children of the Dump project in Nicaragua and at that meeting I mentioned that the first college graduate from the Children of the Dump, Maria Jose Perez, had spoken to our club several years ago.
I thought the members might be interested in the update I received from Maria this afternoon. Picture attached.
Message from Maria:
“I finished my MBA degree last year and was admitted as a CPA last month.
Member of the Rotary Club of Chinendega San Cristobal and will become an officer of the Club in two weeks.
A volunteer with Foundation Chinendega 2001.
Employed by the largest sugar company in Nicaragua as an auditor.
I am married and am so grateful for all the Rotarian support for our community and myself.
Maria”
Some history:
Assistant District Governor Dale Mellencamp shared an example of what Rotary does to help others. He recognized our club's initiation of The Children of the Dump project that rescued children that were living off of food obtained from the local dump in , Chinandega, Nicaragua. Several Rotarians that were involved shared the activities that were involved in initiating the project. This project was ultimately used as a template for International Projects. We continue to provide monetary support. Rotarians Frank Huezo and Jim Kite have done excellent jobs in continuing this project. Father Marco Dessy, a local Priest played a pivotal role. Numerous children have obtained an education to help them move forward in life. Go to www.childrenofthedumps.org to learn more. Service Above Self.
Celebrate 100 years of The Rotary Foundation by learning the history of our impact around the world. Check out "Doing Good in the World: The Inspiring Story of The Rotary Foundation's First 100 Years" in our new ebook and Kindle formats. Buy: http://on.rotary.org/Centennial_Book
By Quentin Wodon, Rotary Club of Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., USA Sometimes the best way to gain a little attention for your club is to not talk about your club, but about other worthy groups and volunteers you are working … Continue reading →
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit www.humblerotary.com or www.Rotary.org or e-mail info@humblerotary.com. Like us at www.facebook.com/humblerotary
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=logo}
.jpg)
.jpg)
