International Café Recap – August 9, 2025
By Bill Dunn, Secretary, DISC, Yarmouth RC
Over 40 Rotarians from across our District—and around the globe—gathered virtually on August 9th for the latest International Café, a vibrant showcase of global service, cultural exchange, and inspiring partnerships.
🌏 Philippines Outreach Highlights
District Rotarians Carol Madsen and Joanne Landry kicked things off with stories from their recent outreach trip to the Philippines. After a 38-hour journey, they were warmly welcomed by hosts in District 3790 and treated to generous hospitality and fellowship. Their presentation covered local Rotary projects, including school library initiatives, vocational training, and support for leisure industries—plus opportunities for future collaboration.
Looking Ahead to India – February 2026
DISC Chair Bill DiBiasio and DG Sridhar of District 3191 shared plans for the upcoming outreach trip to India. With 10 applications already received, interest is high. DG Sridhar introduced District 3191 and its capital city, Bangalore—home to 85 clubs and over 2,000 Rotarians.
🌍 Spotlight on Project Fairs
The Café then turned to international Project Fairs, offering Rotarians a chance to connect with clubs abroad and support impactful initiatives:
• Colombia: Maria (D4271) previewed the 11th Colombia Project Fair in January 2026. Rossi Birt (D4281) noted that Colombian districts have received over $2 million in support over the years.
• West Africa: Albéric Djomaki introduced the November 2025 West Africa Project Fair, spanning 9 districts and 15 countries, complete with a short video.
• Ecuador: Monica Jaramillo, with translation by Cinthia Chediak, presented the November 2025 Ecuador Project Fair, featuring 25 clubs.
📚 Guatemala Literacy Project
Carolyn Johnson closed the Café with an update on the Guatemala Literacy Project, which aims to build a school focused on teacher development, digital learning, multilingual literacy (English, Spanish, and Kaqchikel), and STEAM education. The project’s budget is approximately $110,000, and additional support is welcome.
📅 Save the Date
The next International Café is scheduled for Saturday, October 11th at 9:30 AM and may feature projects in Uganda and Peru. Stay tuned for details!
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or simply curious about Rotary’s global reach, these Cafés offer connection, inspiration, and a front-row seat to international service in action.