Rotary International dedicates November to the programs and activities of The Rotary Foundation and this gives us a wonderful opportunity to focus our attention on the many great things that our foundation delivers to our world.

We take so much for granted as we enjoy our privileged life. Water streams from every one of the 10 or so taps in our houses, medical aid is just around the corner, a strong and active education system provides a future for all our children and with the exception of a few, we want for nothing. How different it is for one-third of the world’s population!

Including our efforts in the area of polio eradication which is highlighted on 24 October every year, your Foundation provided something like $180 million last year to support clubs and districts in their efforts to ‘do good in the world’. If you add the money supplied by clubs and districts to complete these projects, we would have a conservative spend of something like $450 million.

Nothing ever comes cheap and everything The Rotary Foundation does costs money. When the money runs out so does our ability to make a difference. Clubs can take the bull by the horns and agreed to pay their TRF commitment now rather than wait until the traditional ‘rush’ period of June. We will get our money working sooner rather than later and that will help enormously. If all the clubs in District 5730 could do this then The Foundation would be in a much stronger position.

We can also help as individuals. Those of us with Every Rotarian Every Year commitments who aren’t tied into a scheduled payment plan could consider paying this month. It’s only $100 per person but collectively it has the power to do so much. Those of us who haven’t yet made the EREY ‘leap of faith’ might give the possibility a little extra thought. That extra few Rands a week can make such a difference to the people depending on us for a better life.

The Rotary Foundation is your own charity and we’re just asking you to be part of it. Find out more about the work of The Rotary Foundation and how your Rotary Club can help it at https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation