Many terms can be used to describe the VTT program: social justice, social activism, community involvement and community development are a few. The program can also be described as an opportunity to go out and do good in the world. The program empowers people to help others to help themselves.
Here are a few examples of VTT teams from our neighboring Rotary District 6420 that have made a difference in the world:
The District sent a team of six people to Guatemala to work at Ak Tenamit, a vocational training school for the indigenous Mayan population. District 6420 also sent a team of nine people to the Nebbi District in Northwest Uganda to help the community to better serve girls by enabling them to stay in school. This group was comprised of three physicians, two trauma counselors, two nurses, one teacher and one librarian
The volunteers in both of these VTT experiences, some of whom are Rotarians, engaged in awesome and meaningful work. They touched the lives of the people with whom they worked and developed numerous meaningful relationships
There are two primary VTT funding sources: District Designated Funds and a matching Rotary Foundation Global grant. The cost of one project must be a minimum of $30,000. Additional resources from a district, club, individual or business may augment the project cost.
A successful grant must fit into the framework of Rotary's area's of focus; peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy and economic and community development.
This is the first year that District 6250 will be involved with the relatively new Vocational Training Team program. I am hoping that the above two examples will provide you with some information about what the program is all about.
For more information, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you!
Tom Marshall PDG
pdgthomasmarshall@gmail.com
715-213-3046 (C)
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