Editor's Note:
Following up on the wonderful information about Global Grants briefly highlighted in the article from the District Foundation Committee Connecting the Dots, I'm taking the opportunity to feature a Global Grant with the chance for "buy-in" by other clubs. Please review this letter and reach out if you have any questions or are interested in learning more.
May 20, 2023
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club is excited to announce that we are supporting a new Global Grant in Colombia, S.A. We would be honored if you joined us in this worthwhile project.
Rotarians Rick Whelchel and Emma Bodwell recently traveled to Colombia, S.A. to participate in its 8th Project Fair. At this fair, they learned about a new project being promoted by the Nuevo Medellin Rotary Club, called Aquaponics for Youth with Leadership. After the project fair, Emma & Rick traveled to Medellin to learn about this project first-hand.
Here are some of the project highlights:
LOCATION: Hogar San Jose de la Montana a self-sustaining foster home in Sabaneta, Colombia for girls ages 6-18 who come from high-risk homes.
AREA OF FOCUS: Community/Economic Development
PROJECT: Construction and Development of a self-sustaining Aquaponics System combining Agriculture and Fish Farming.
Benefits:
- Generates a permanent source of revenue
- Strengthens food security for residents
- Provides management training
- Empowers the residents in entrepreneurship
- Promotes respect and care for the environment
- Benefits more than 240 people, and over time it will allow the home to support more girls and impact more families
The Bridgton-Lake Region Club has signed on as the principal sponsor for this project and has applied for a Global Grant. Our goal is to raise $45,000 to complete this very important project, and we are reaching out to you to ask for support. Please help out, whether your club can contribute $50, $500, or $5,000 – it will all help!! Your generosity will be amplified through matching District Designated Funds and Rotary International Funds.
LOCATION: Hogar San Jose de la Montana a self-sustaining foster home in Sabaneta, Colombia for girls ages 6-18 who come from high-risk homes.
AREA OF FOCUS: Community/Economic Development
PROJECT: Construction and Development of a self-sustaining Aquaponics System combining Agriculture and Fish Farming.
Benefits:
- Generates a permanent source of revenue
- Strengthens food security for residents
- Provides management training
- Empowers the residents in entrepreneurship
- Promotes respect and care for the environment
- Benefits more than 240 people, and over time it will allow the home to support more girls and impact more families
The Bridgton-Lake Region Club has signed on as the principal sponsor for this project and has applied for a Global Grant. Our goal is to raise $45,000 to complete this very important project, and we are reaching out to you to ask for support. Please help out, whether your club can contribute $50, $500, or $5,000 – it will all help!! Your generosity will be amplified through matching District Designated Funds and Rotary International Funds.
Please consider supporting this project!! We would be happy to present this project to your membership in person or by Zoom, whichever is more convenient for your club. Just reach out to Emma. Be aware: Our goal for gathering fundraising pledges for this grant is June 15, 2023.
To learn more, check out this video put together by our friends and partners in Colombia.
Yours in Rotary,
Emma Bodwell
International Committee Chair
Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club
District Governor Designate - 2025-2026
International Committee Chair
Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club
District Governor Designate - 2025-2026
Aquaponics Global Grant Committee
From the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club: Emma Bodwell Committee Chair, Rick Whelchel, Dr. Lisa Ryan, George Klauber, Skip Sullivan, Carol Madsen, Dr. John Eliasson, Aaron Hagan
From the Lake Region High School Interact Club: Susie Butler, Izabelle Apovian
From the Nuevo Medellin Rotary Club: Maria Luisa Aguilar, Erika Aristi, Sonia Borno
From the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club: Emma Bodwell Committee Chair, Rick Whelchel, Dr. Lisa Ryan, George Klauber, Skip Sullivan, Carol Madsen, Dr. John Eliasson, Aaron Hagan
From the Lake Region High School Interact Club: Susie Butler, Izabelle Apovian
From the Nuevo Medellin Rotary Club: Maria Luisa Aguilar, Erika Aristi, Sonia Borno