Ecuador Homes of Hope

Rotary Homes of Hope 2006 Update

Rotary Homes of Hope

On Thursday night September 21, 2006, one hundred and ten District 7510 Rotarians joined together at the Toucan Restaurant at the Quality Inn in Somerset for the Third Annual Homes of Hope Intercity Dinner. This event highlighted the progress of the District Homes of Hope Project, and the Arc of Hope (“adopt a child”) program.

District Governor Michael Hart was present at our Intercity Dinner and presented the Building Partner awards for those clubs and individuals who participated in the 2005-2006 year. This past year, 16 Rotary Clubs, 3 Interact Clubs, and 4 individuals received this recognition. We were also fortunate enough to have 4 Rotarians from District 4400 in Ecuador come and give two marvelous presentations; one on the village and one on their Rotary club.

Past District Governors Adrienne Bzura, Marsha Carldon, Elly Ezra, Ralph Winter, and DGN Joe Scandariato also attended the dinner. DGE Julie Ann Juliano and the Branchburg Club were the hosts.

This year the team that traveled to Ecuador consisted of 14 Rotarians (one a doctor and one a dentist) from many different Rotary clubs in our District as well as 4 nurses from Somerset Medical Center. The team built cinderblock walls for the homes, the medical clinic saw more than 1,000 people, and others had meetings related to bringing water to the village and meetings related to the dilapidated school building the children are attending.

All our team members agreed that the children looked so much healthier, are doing better with school, and are more outgoing and happier. We all know that the latrines we dug last year are a major improvement in the sanitation of the village. This year the thrust is on bringing in clean potable water for them. Mick Schiable of the Rotary Club of Flemington is working on a matching grant for this project. We are presently accepting sponsorships for the children of the village. $420 yearly, gets the children in school for a year, buys them their uniforms, shoes, 2 medical and 2 dental visits, as well as a nutritious breakfast 5 days a week before school. This Arc of Hope project is one of the shining gems of this program.

Three Rotary Clubs stepped up to the plate at our Intercity Dinner with large checks for their commitment to this year’s programs. We hope to keep this program alive and active and to have all 80 children adopted again this year. If you are interested in a program on this project, please contact Doug Merritt of the Branchburg Club or Brian Fischer of the Clinton-Sunrise Club to set up a club program and date. If you would like to sponsor a Child, contact Karen Brotea of the South Amboy-Sayreville club.

Please contact Doug, Brian, Mick, Karen or me if you have ANY questions or would like more information on our Homes of Hope projects in Ecuador. Continuity and Commitment are rare, but when they co exist together, they are an unstoppable team.

Please Join Us,
DGE Dr. Julie Ann Juliano
Homes of Hope Committee