The Rotary Area of Focus theme for October is Building Local Economies through economic and community development. Rotary works locally and globally in many ways to alleviate poverty and to strengthen communities and individuals, particularly in developing countries.
Worldwide, there are nearly 800 million people living on less than $1.90 per day. Rotary members are passionate about finding sustainable solutions to address local circumstances and use a multifaceted and coordinated strategy to implement service projects that provide opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. Rotary also helps to strengthen local entrepreneurs and leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.Some of Rotary’s global initiatives in developing countries include:
Providing microloans to enable people to establish small businesses, including rickshaw drivers, street vendors or tailors, or to assist farmers to buy livestock or plant crops.- Providing farmers with skills and knowledge needed to address issues of soil erosion and improve soil fertility to improve crop yields and then successfully market their produce.
- Enabling women to complete financial literacy courses and funding skills development and business training for other community members.
At a local level, the Rotary Club of Moe participates in a range of activities that help to build social capital in our community and to acknowledge and support businesses. We partner with other community groups and organisations to participate in local events including the annual Bonfire night and Carols by Candlelight, both of which create opportunities to strengthen community connections. We award Business Excellence Awards and also invite business owners to address the Club to provide more understanding about the issues that impact their operations. The Club has also worked closely with the Latrobe City to develop a wonderful new adventure playground at the Moe Botanic Gardens, another opportunity to bring community members together.
We undertake various fund-raising activities throughout the year that enable us to provide financial support to essential local services, including the Latrobe Regional Hospital and Gippsland Rotary Centenary House. Big or small, local or global, the Rotary Club of Moe recognises the vital importance of strong local economies and resilient communities to create a positive future for all.