Related Page

One of the Four Avenues of Service, mentioned above, to which we commit our efforts every year. In August of 2007, as part of a two year program, Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary and the Rotary Club of Mbarara submitted a Matching Grant application to The Rotary Foundation to help provide drug therapy to manage childhood infectious diseases to children at the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda. Infectious diseases, along with malnutrition account for more than 70 percent of childhood deaths in developing countries. Most of these deaths are considered preventable. Together, with our host club in Mbarara, Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary, two additional District 5510 Rotary Clubs, and the power of Rotary Matching Grants, combined to raise $17,450. The funds raised from the grant provided the necessary drugs to treat approximately 4,000 children for infectious diseases for two years. The nursing staff has been trying to keep track of how many children are benefiting from the drugs. The staff is very overworked and although the numbers have not officially been tallied, it's clear that many children are benefiting and several lives have been saved already. The Dr. in charge said repeatedly that everyone is very grateful for the donation." It is truly remarkable to see the impact of our fundraising efforts stretch across continents and provide much needed therapy for so many deserving children. Equally as special, is the fact the idea for the project germinated in the heart and mind of a Rotarian's family member. Once the need was recognized, Rotarians united behind the cause, and sprung to action. It is inspiring to see the power of our collective DNA and unified vision make a tangible difference.