Like many of you in Rotary District 5610, I grew up at a time when polio was already disappearing from daily life in the United States. By the time I was born, the vaccine had done its job so well (at least in the US) that polio was no longer something families here feared. I don’t personally know anyone who suffered from the disease. And yet, as Rotarians, we know the story doesn’t end at our borders.
Polio is a horrific and debilitating disease. For those who contract it, the effects can last a lifetime—paralysis, loss of mobility, and profound hardship for families and communities. Rotary’s long-standing mission to eradicate polio worldwide isn’t just a line in our literature; it’s one of the most ambitious and successful humanitarian efforts in history. And now, I’m about to see that mission up close.
The spark for this journey was lit years ago, but was fed more by the kindling at last year’s District 5610 Conference in October, where I learned about hands-on polio service trips from our District Polio Chair. The idea of actually participating in a vaccination effort—rather than just reading about it or writing a check—stuck me. After the conference, a fellow Rotarian from Sioux Falls North and I (from Rushmore Rotary) put our heads together and reached out to the Polio Chair, who then connected us with a Rotarian-owned travel company in India. From there, the idea quickly became a plan.
Fast forward to today, there are seven of us preparing to travel to India next month (February). Not all of them are Rotarians yet—but they are good friends, and I’m confident they’ll be Rotarians by the time we complete this trip (said with a smile and just a bit of Rotary optimism). Once we land in India, three Rotarians from Australia will also join the trip, a reminder that Rotary truly is a global family united by service above self.
While our itinerary includes some incredible highlights—cultural experiences (Holi Fest, the Festival of colors, elephant ride), historic sites (Taj Mahal, magical forts, and ancient castles), and opportunities to better understand life in India (marble workshop, tangled bazaars) —the heart of this journey is the polio vaccination experience. We will witness firsthand how Rotary partners with local health workers and communities to deliver life-saving vaccines to children. It’s one thing to talk about “ending polio now” at a club meeting; it’s another to see a child vaccinated and know you played a small part in protecting their future.
For someone like me, who has no personal memory of polio’s impact in the US, this trip feels especially meaningful. It bridges the gap between history and reality, between a global goal and individual lives. It reinforces why Rotary’s commitment matters just as much today as it did decades ago.
I’m heading to India at the end of February excited, humbled, and grateful—to be part of Rotary, to learn from fellow Rotarians around the world, and to contribute, even in a small way, to the day when polio is truly eradicated everywhere. I look forward to sharing more when we return.