Thirteen Rotary Club of La Jolla members and their families and friends had something to do in early March – they built a chicken coop to help provide a much-needed source of protein for children in Jeremie, Haiti. The trip was part of a construction effort at the Hopestart International Children’s Home. Established in August of 2013, this home provides a place of safety, care and holistic development for children who have been neglected and abused. Jeremie, which lies in the country’s Northeast, has a population of about 31,000. Chapter president Lora Fisher said, “I’m still processing and reflecting on the trip,” Rotary La Jolla president Lora Fisher said. “There are so many obstacles that Haiti faces, from government issues, poor living conditions and lack of education. I was truly inspired and amazed by the children at the Hopestart Children’s Home. Their reading skills and English truly exceeded my expectations. I believe because of the education and nurturing and support they are receiving they will not only impact their communities but be the next leaders in Haiti.”
In January of 2010, the Caribbean island of 10.3 million was struck by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that killed and injured 160,000. Haiti is the most poverty-ridden country in the Western Hemisphere. The La Jolla chapter also supplied something integral to Haitian life – soccer balls. Haiti is a member of the Fédération Internationale Football Association, the governing body for the world’s professional soccer teams. The boys pictured here may have thoughts of sports stardom; thanks to Rotary, they now have a tool to work with. Rotary also provided dental screenings for the 22 children who worked on the site. La Jolla Rotary is one of 30,000 Rotary clubs in 160 countries, offering international partnerships aid the needy. Some 1.2 million Rotarians make significant contributions to the quality of life around the globe. — Martin Jones Westlin