The District 7090 CDN Cluster Fund has once again proven its value! Last spring, a group of 13 clubs pledged to support a single Global grant, each contributing $1,000 USD to its success. The idea is that clubs have until the fall to organize an application to perform a Global project, at which time one would be selected to receive the full $31,000 USD to proceed with their project. Note how the magic of the Rotary’s ‘multiplier Effect’ takes the cluster’s $13,000 and with District and TRF contribution, grows to $31,000!At the annual selection meeting, members of the cluster group had a difficult decision to make: there were two projects proposed and only one could receive the cluster funds.
With a close vote, the Cluster group selected the St. Catharines X-ray project: to provide much needed X-ray equipment to a small rural hospital in Portachuelo, Bolivia. Providing the hospital with new X-ray equipment and training, would reduce the diagnosis time in emergency cases by 50% and improve access to diagnostic radiology services for low-income people and neglected residents. Their budget would total $84,000 USD.
-submitted by David Berry
Now think of what that means! With the Cluster Grant, a club can be assured of reaching the $30,000 threshold budget funding to receive acceptance from Rotary International. Clubs that normally could not participate in a Global Grant can now through this ‘Band of Brothers’, either complete an entire Global project or at least gain credit for contributing to a Global Grant.The other proposal: St. Catharines South’s, to provide Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to a medical center in Peshawar Pakistan. These food packets are provided to malnourished children ensuring a nurturing start to their life. This is a critical need in an area of Pakistan that has received so many refugees from war-torn Afghanistan. The population, and especially refugee camps, are in great need for this type of support. Their budget would total $50,000 USD.
Congratulations to St. Catharines for this project, but we really need to mention that both projects are worthy of support from all of District 7090. The Cluster group, and all clubs in the District, are encouraged to consider helping these worthy projects succeed. Please contact either one of these clubs and contribute.