I first heard the phrase mitakuy oyasin when a Lakota friend said it during a ceremony, and it remains a typical sign-off for correspondences with Native American friends. Roughly translated it means “all my relations,” “all our relations,” or “we are all related.” It’s a simple saying that carries a complex message. Among other things, it speaks to how this planet – indeed, the whole cosmos – is interconnected.

This is apparent when you consider polio. One positive aspect of the journey to global eradication of polio is that it clearly demonstrates our interconnection, or all our relations. And it motivates us to partner with others and move past cultural differences.  

Cultural understanding is one of the wonderful concepts that Rotary promotes, especially during February, World Understanding Month. In honor of that – and because for many of us, cold weather cabin fever is setting in – we decided to provide an armchair travel experience.

On the following pages, you’ll find inspiring stories and images that will transport you to remote regions on the globe. Rotarians undoubtedly will be visiting more of these in the upcoming months. We have an unprecedented window of opportunity, thanks to the largest challenge grant received by Rotary from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The partnership has injected a much-needed US$200 million into the global effort to eradicate polio.

A photo essay by Jean-Marc Giboux offers a historic look at the people and places in polio’s hot spots. Seems everyone is getting into the act – even R&B singer Beyoncé participated in an immunization campaign in Ethiopia.

Want to go to Europe? You can tour Germany via the travel column, where a reunited Berlin is undergoing a rebirth and renaissance.

Looking for a warmer climate? Check out Brazil in a tale chronicling the brave journey of Gilberto Mendes Oliveira. This Rotarian overcame both personal hardship and poverty and now helps others through an vocational apprenticeship program.

Finally, you can see parts of Egypt and the Middle East that are normally overlooked by tourists seeking iconic sights or news reporters hoping to grab headlines. Instead, we visit with dedicated Rotarians and professionals who share with us the cosmopolitan city of Alexandria and some tenacious humanitarian projects. Egypt is part of District 2450. District Governor Farid Gebran explains some of the challenges he faces as governor of an area that includes nine countries on three continents and Rotarians who speak seven languages – but still share common goals.