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 Husband, wife team aim to end poverty 

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Kathleen Mayhew, president of the Rotary Club of Sebastopol, California, USA, developed the Adopt a Village model with her husband, Frank. Here, she meets with residents of Kiranga Village, Uganda, to ensure that needs are being met. Photo courtesy Rotary Club of Sebastopol

Noting that “world peace can only come when there is no poverty,” Frank and Kathleen Mayhew of the Rotary Club of Sebastopol, California, USA, urge Rotarians to take a new direction to end poverty.

To do that, the husband-and-wife team proposes their “Adopt a Village” model.

Here’s how it works: A Rotary club in a developing country selects a village, assesses its needs, and designs a project with health, food production, and education components. (Clean water and malaria prevention elements are required under the health heading if they are problems in the village.) A partner club adopts the village, addressing all three issues at once. Projects usually cost about US$30,000; some have been completed through Matching Grants from The Rotary Foundation.

Villages in Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Uganda have participated with support from partner clubs in Canada, England, and the United States. The Mayhews, who have given presentations at several North American clubs, currently act as matchmakers, but they encourage clubs with good working relationships to take the concept and run with it.

“While Rotary has had 3-H grants, which are huge grants, nobody has really looked at the multielement grant. It kind of comes as a surprise to people,” says Frank Mayhew, who chairs the grants subcommittee for District 5130. “It does make sense.”

Village inspires GSE team

When a Group Study Exchange team from District 5130 (California, USA) visited District 9110 in Nigeria, team members spent a day in Ijado, a prospective Adopt a Village project site. They learned that the village lacks a health clinic, that villagers fetch water several times a day, and that fewer than 10 percent of adults can read and write.

“What we brought back is passion,” says Susan Cole, team leader and member of the Rotary Club of Windsor, California. “I can’t tell you how moving it was to be there and talk to the women in the village. It’s personal: It’s not just a project, it’s a connection.”

This article appeared in the April 2009 issue of Rotary World.


37 Comments:
At 12:47PM on 17 September 2012, Rtn khawar wrote: good work . We are with u.
At 9:12AM on 8 August 2011, Engineer k.Paul wrote: I am from rotary club of Coxbazer shikath, Bangladesh. we have dicided to adopted a project call healthy village project. We want to support village peoples and to make a proverty free village. Thanks to Frank and kathleen to have good ideas. I request any Rotary Club of the world could come with us and make difference in Banglsdesh Village. Engineer Paul. President Rotary Club of Cox,s Bazer Shikath.expeorul@ yahoo.com.
At 1:06PM on 12 October 2010, Dr David Omega wrote: I am the president of the Rotary club of Naivasha in Kenya. our club has opted to adopt a village called Nyamathi near Naivasha town. This is a very needy village with no secondary school,poor health facilities and no water. We are looking for any clubs willing to partner with us on this project and change the lives of the people in this village.
At 10:57AM on 11 October 2010, Froilan M. Fernandez wrote: Good day to every Rotarians around the world, we are very much fortunate for we are of those who help poor villages, here in the Philippines we usually call it Adopt-a-barangay, as of now although we have never been awarded or I say claimed any grants from the RI because of lack of reports or what so ever requirements we have to submit to have a grant, We the Rotary Club of Sta. Barbara has adopted a Barangay and so far launched Literacy which entitled (DORP) Drop Out reduction Program, and we are happily handed out 3 Kinds of books to the out of school youth, and now as part of our project we are having a Livelihood seminar which will benifit those jobless ones to make incomes from lesser profits for them to afford a new small business, and by the coming months or days maybe if our club funds can manage we will have Deep Well projects (Clean Water) and Circumsition (Operation tuli) and Dental Mission. May I request any foreign Club if you have time to please help us Help our less fortunate townmates for I know that you are more than capable in helping them through Matching grants. This is your brother in Rotary and sorry if I extended my needs of help in this column. Pres. Froilan M. Fernandez RC Sta. Barbara, District 3790 Philippines
At 2:41PM on 1 October 2010, quazi raquibul islam wrote: While I participated Birmingham convention I was introduced with Frank and know about their projects. Frank was very interested to adopt a village in Bangladesh. I again saw Frank at Montreal last June, 2010 and prior to that I have submitted a project near Dhaka. I spent some tome at his stall TO ADOPT A VILLAGE and I found Frank is very popular to many Rotarians from different clubs. Our project now with Rotary Foundation and hope to complete all formalities within a month. We the members of RC Shantinagar are grateful to Frank for his effort and interest towards Bangladesh. This is a good idea. Hope Frank's idea will get more popular in course of time. Rtn PP Quazi Raquibul Islam, RC Shantinagar Dhaka, RID 3280, Bangladesh
At 11:39AM on 25 January 2010, Dr. I.P.Dhakal wrote: Bharatpur Rotary Club under RI District 3292 is searching an international matching partner for establishing E- library at the Rampur campus Chitwan Nepal. This campus is in the process of upgrading towards Agricultural, Veterinary and Forestry university. It has academic programs upto Ph.D level , however the library facility is very poor. The library is having good infrastructure. Interested clubs are invited to join hand and contact by email : ipdhakal@yahoo.com
At 9:26AM on 2 December 2009, P' Ola El Noury wrote: Rotary Club of Cairo Al Orouba District 2450 is developing a poor village named rab Bani Saleh in Helawan in Egypt . we will focus on providing clean water , eracicate polio , ceiling for homes, and also will provide pregnant cow to families o improve their income and will also eradicate illeteracy, we are looking for RC doing the same project to make with matching grants of amount US$ 30000
At 9:28AM on 24 November 2009, Tim Duncan wrote: Adopting a village is one idea that is very new to me..its such a good idea to mutigate poverty in africa.There is alot been done here and i think adopting village is one not yet covered area where organisations have not tackled.in the same way Global Village Network is an organisation which supports Local initiatives in rural uganda.GVN would like to seek support from well wisher form allover to help support rural communities. our website:www.globalvillagenetwork.co.ug
At 4:44PM on 9 November 2009, Carol Hickman wrote: We have adopted a school in Barra de Navidad, Mexico. If you would like to help this little school please contact: Lise Wiggins E-mail Address(es): wigglise@dccnet.com Costalegre Schoolroom Project Rotary Club of Costalegre http://www.tomzap.com/CRC.html
At 12:25PM on 27 July 2009, Muhammad Maqsood Iqbal wrote: Our club, Rotary club of Farooqabad has decided to adopted two school in a village of Punjab, Pakistan. We feel it is a wonderful way to support children to provide them the necessities. We will do this project through Matching Grants which has prepared and submit on 29-08-09. we are now looking for a international partner for this Matching Grants Project. maqsood_org@yahoo.com
At 9:25AM on 20 July 2009, Enid Asingwire wrote: Its interesting to hear about adopt a village. There is a village here in Uganda about 35KMS from the capital city Kampala. For them toilets rather pit latrines has never existed in their vocabulary. The water they use is fetched from about 3kms. Most of these people are illiterate and burying people is the order of the day. People dying from malaria and AIDS. I have been thinking of how we could help this village, thanks to Rotary that it has come up with this project. ROTARY IS IN OUR HANDS.
At 10:26AM on 18 May 2009, Frank Mayhew wrote: Thanks to all of you for your good words of encouragement. If you would like to contact us, our email is fkmayhew@comcast.net. Or you can visit our website at www.toadoptavillage.org. Many thanks, Frank and Katheen Mayhew Ending Poverty--One Village at a Time
At 9:37AM on 18 May 2009, Ashley Ekelund wrote: The Rotaract Club of the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario, Canada) has taken on this project and is encouraging the entire university student body to participate in adopting a village in Uganda. $35,000 for the project - 35,000 students - 1$ per student = a whole village saved! That's less than the price of a coffee. Let's spread this project to university campuses all over the world! Cheers to Rotary for changing the world.
At 7:45AM on 14 May 2009, Ron Brittan wrote: Good idea to adopt a villiage! But what about "adopt a school"? Taking on the problems of a whole villiage may be too much for an idividual RC, but they may be able to handle a school. MDG No 2, Universl primary education, is essential in lifting counties out of poverty. Enrollment in some African countries is ony 70%, and the schools are most inadequate. Ron, Oxford RC, UK.
At 9:14AM on 13 May 2009, Kunchu wrote: This project obviously a meritorious act. Hats off for Frank and Kathleen Mayhew who has under taken this unique service to alleviate poverty from a village. They have made all the Rotarians proud. Both husband and wife are radiating loving and kindness on other souls. - Rotary club of Colombo South, Sri Lanka
At 3:14PM on 12 May 2009, RTN. SYED AZMATULLAH RC: CHENNAI PHOENIX RD: 3230 wrote: It is plain truth that "world peace can only come when there is no poverty" and “Adopt a Village” model set by Frank and Kathleen Mayhew of the Rotary Club of Sebastopol, California, USA is one of the ways of poverty eradication. Rotary must give priority for poverty eradication.
At 9:21AM on 12 May 2009, Mir Mohammad Qazi wrote: Poverty is the fundamental issue to be noticed it is affecting the peace of whole world and its very good to see that Rotary is taking interust on this issue. We should also concern on it and shold try to continue these kind of activities. RID-3270
At 10:37AM on 11 May 2009, marianne brandon wrote: It was heartening, once again, to see the global impact of a group of which I am a part.
At 10:38AM on 11 May 2009, Dr SPS Grover wrote: That is real Rotary,Ithink we should all learn from this and do something more than what we are doing now.
At 10:38AM on 11 May 2009, andrew martin niwagaba wrote: I think adopt a village is a very good idea. we have a village that has some issues to address and i will be glad if anybody out there can adopt my village. we need a vocational school and a small dispensary in thhe community. niwagabaa@yahoo.com thank you
At 10:39AM on 11 May 2009, Ram Prakash K wrote: Please let me know how to tke up this project, as it is interesting one and we have many villages in and around us, in India, Karnataka. First of all i would like to congratulate fortaking up this project.
At 10:39AM on 11 May 2009, PP Dr Aruna Tantia,RC salt lake metropolitan kolkata D3291 wrote: Wonderful idea that would really benefit developing countries especially villages where millaneum goals can be implemented. In D3291 we have been adopting this concept , $ clubs have so far adopted 8 villages. Wish more clubs in west come forward to adopt many more of such villages requiring help from Rotarians.
At 10:40AM on 11 May 2009, Rtr Maheen Tariq wrote: This is indeed a most wonderful idea, and it strikes me as even more interesting because we had thought of a similar project for the incoming Rotary year! :) I'm sure we can take help from this already developed project, and take the project to greater heights! ~Rotaractor Maheen Tariq Allawala, RAC Karachi Karsaz, RID 3270 (Pakistan & Afghanistan)
At 10:40AM on 11 May 2009, Lea Recomite wrote: I am from the Rotary Club of Parañaque Metro, District 3830, Philippines. In our club we have the adopt-a-health center project. The club give financial support and in-kind support that the health center needs like nebulizer units because respiratory ailments like asthma is most common among the children here, pedia cuffs for dengue tests, pre-natal vitamins, first aid kits and more. We have also built our own clinic located in a parish. The club has also an adopted "barangay" (a small community of 50-80 families), Barangay BF Homes, where the same adopted health center is located. Our Rotaract Club - a community based club - is our main partner in this service to the local community. More power to Rotary!!!
At 10:40AM on 11 May 2009, Rotn. Ajayi, Idowu wrote: This is a very good idea which Rotarians from other clubs should emulate. it is very rewarding to continue to put smiles to the faces of those that are in need. RC opebi,D9110,Nigeria.
At 10:41AM on 11 May 2009, Ken Lane wrote: Rotary Club of Victoria (Club 90) has already adopted a village in Kenya, facilitated by a husband-and-wife duo who spend half of each year in Canada, the other half in Kenya.
At 10:40AM on 11 May 2009, TERRY ROBERTS wrote: Great insite to other side of normal expectations of life.
At 10:39AM on 11 May 2009, Rtn Mita Saha RC of Saltlake Midtown Dist 3291 wrote: Fantastic! this is exactly what we need to do here in the villages of West Bengal India.unless there is an overall development the support is not effective.
At 10:39AM on 11 May 2009, K.S.Srinivasan wrote: The work done by Frank and Kathleen Mayhew is remarkable and praiseworthy. We can adopt a village and bring the level of health and education is phenominal. I may be given the email addresses of Rtn.Susal Cole leader and member from R.C.Windsor,CA and also Rtn Fran of R>C.Sebastopol, California so that our Rotary Club of Nanganallur, RI District 3230 in India can also adopt a village. I may also require the help of Rotary Clubs who can partner us in this venture as Matching Grants can be appiled. Rtn.PP.K.S.Srinivasan, R.C.Nanganallur,R.I.Dist.3230
At 10:38AM on 11 May 2009, Rtn dinesh raj sharma wrote: Excellent and prgagmetic approach, trust this concept will be wonderful way to bring peace as a first step through Rotary. I do have expereince on squatter and poor settlements. let us make this as campaign. thanks, good wishes rtn. dinesh RC Kathmandu, RID 3292
At 10:38AM on 11 May 2009, PP Rtn.Manjunath M A wrote: Friends in Service, Excellent Work, this world needs more projects like this for our future. Let Rotary grow,Rotary more for more than ...........years PPRtn.M.A.Manjunath Rotary Royal Mysore RI Dist.3180 India
At 10:37AM on 11 May 2009, Deepak Shantilal wrote: What an unique and wonderful idea Sirji. Rtn.Deepak Shantilal, RC Tumkur East 3190, India
At 10:37AM on 11 May 2009, Rtn Col Saba wrote: We at Hosur Midtown RID 2980 have practical experience of adopting a village in a forest area where facilities for education, health-care and water are lacking. When I visited Finland as a GSE Team leader , I could get a matching grant partnership with RID 1380 & Kahajoki Aro Club.And the TRF matched 50% of the project cost to provide potable water. We thank the TRF and the matching partners led by the then DGE Rtn Heikki Arkela. You dream of a Project and Make it Real.
At 10:37AM on 11 May 2009, Col Rajeev Mannali wrote: A very inspiring article. May be we would like to emulate the example
At 10:36AM on 11 May 2009, Pamela Tuft wrote: Our Club adopted a village in Uganda. I have visited Osukuru twice. Life-changing for all involved, simple idea, beautiful results. Thank you Kathie and Frank.
At 9:03AM on 11 May 2009, GBEMI TIJANI MST wrote: NOTHING else demonstrates genuine compassion and commitment to end inequity conditioned by gradual erosion of ethics in politics than this most welcome ADOPT A VILLAGE ROTARY partnership -style .Kudos to RI & THE MAYHEWS - The good thing is that Poverty alleviation is integral in this initiative. As a health news worker with public health education bias and copious experience as a documentalist with a national medical association working in partnership with a health communication consultant we are exposed to petals of poverty in rural and urban locales because of unsustained governmental implementation of basic needs manifestoes like water supply, food programmer and adult literacy .at the grassroots. RC OF OLUYOLE ESTATE WILL IDENTIFY VILLAGE LACKING THE BASICS AROUND US for adoption partnership project in 2009-2010 rotary year. We look forward to interested Rotary Club in USA . .Urban poor galore here in D9130-Rtn Gbemi DIRECTOR INT.SERVICE 9may091.40am
At 2:56PM on 8 May 2009, Rtn. Dr. Mainak wrote: Wonderful, Thanks for sharing! Rtn. Dr. Mainak Mukherjee RC Burdwan Greater, RID 3240, India

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