By Rotary International

A microloan from the program helped Willie Brake open a neighborhood computer store.

By Lawrence Wright

The tagline above was one of the early lines we in Rotary District 6400 used during our LaunchDetroit open house events when we were telling our story to prospective applicants. Later, I remember thinking about that line and wondering if it was too much of a cliché.

Fast forward to today and I have become a true believer. This program, which we started in 2013 to provide microloans, training, and mentoring to those trying to start local businesses, has had that transformational effect on several budding entrepreneurs in Detroit.

I think of Willie Brake and his small computer business. He started in year one of our program and, after two years, opened his own retail store offering computers and computer services to customers in his neighborhood. The neighborhood had been without any local computer stores, since most had either moved to the suburbs or been replaced by big-box stores that sold computers.

I’ve enjoyed visiting with Willie and hearing the good things he’s accomplished so far, such as hiring young local techies to work in his store while he moves out into the community to promote his business. …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

Cynthia Salim models her brand of socially responsible professional wear for women in New York City. Photo by Monika Lozinska/Rotary International

By Cynthia Salim

At the age of 21, I was a fervent student activist at Loyola Marymount University, walking picket lines to advocate for a living wage in Los Angeles, California, USA. I never would have imagined that at 28 I’d be starting a fashion label in New York City and doing social change work through a lifestyle brand. That’s the power of the Rotary experience — it widens perspectives and inspires change from every industry.

In my twenties, I went from thinking I would never work in the private sector to becoming an impact entrepreneur, spending my days finding responsible factories to work with and talking to photographers about how to thoughtfully portray women in advertising campaigns for Citizen’s Mark, a line of high-quality blazers I started for a generation of socially conscious and empowered women on the rise.

When I was selected for a Rotary Scholarship in 2009, I was introduced to the concept of vocational service. This is the second object of Rotary: “High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

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By Rotary Voices staff

Nigeria’s last case of polio caused by the wild poliovirus was reported on 24 July 2014, and the African continent has had no reported cases since 11 August 2014. The World Health Organization (WHO) removed Nigeria from the list of polio-endemic countries on 25 September. When Nigeria and every country in Africa have gone three years without a case of polio, WHO will certify the region as polio-free.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are now the only remaining countries where polio has never been stopped. Pakistan accounted for nearly 90 percent of the world’s cases in 2014, and experts say it will prove the biggest challenge to global eradication efforts. However, the country has seen recent progress, reporting a nearly 70 percent reduction in cases in the first six months of this year, compared with the same time period in 2014.

The government of Pakistan has set up 1,857 health camps with support from partners and donors. This year alone, over 480,000 people have benefitted from health services at the camps, including 10,000 children who had never received the polio vaccine.

More than ever, we need the support of donors, governments, and our partners to ensure that effective …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

Ann Lee Hussey administers polio drops to a child in Chad in 2014.

By Rotary Voices staff

Stories from polio survivors remind us why we have spent more than two decades committed to the pursuit of wiping this crippling disease from the face of the earth. This Friday, Rotary hosts a Livestream event in New York City that will provide a global update on our effort, including recent progress we have made and what we need to do to cross the finish line. Plan on watching the global update, and be inspired by these stories:

Ann Lee Hussey contracted polio when she was 17-months old. A member of the Rotary Club of Portland Sunrise, Maine, USA, she has taken part in countless National Immunization Day trips to immunize children with the drops of oral polio vaccine, and shared her experience in Chad with our blog in this post from February 2014.

Kerry Jacobson contracted bulb-polio at the age of 7, in 1952. He spent several weeks in a hospital ward with other children, some in iron lungs, before being released and undergoing rehab. He still suffers from Post Polio Syndrome.

Peter Kavanagh was infected at the height …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

By Rotary International

By Naish Shah

My two cousins had polio, and they passed away before they reached adulthood. My brother, my sister, and I were fortunate to have been born here in Chicago, so we received the polio vaccine that my cousins in India never got. This has made me passionate about doing whatever I can to help eradicate this horrible disease.

I rode with the Miles to End Polio team last year. My fellow members of the Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown, Illinois, USA, and I raised more than $8,000 for the cause. Easily, the Miles to End Polio effort last year was the most memorable experience of the two years I’ve worked at Rotary International. It really provided a tangible way to contribute toward Rotary’s mission and live the motto of Service Above Self.

I also felt blessed to be able to train and ride with the team last year. I had never ridden more than 104 miles before. I could not have done it without the tips, support, and encouragement of the team. We truly built goodwill and friendship. It was a great experience, and I thank all my teammates for their support.

We also received wonderful hospitality and support from the Rotary …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog