You too can become intimately familiar with our Rotary mission of eradicating Polio! I am from Rushmore Rotary club and just returned from a trip to India that I coordinated with the help of the International Rotary network (special thanks to Ashok Kumar for the initial introduction). The purpose of the trip was to administer Polio vaccinations to 500 children, working towards our service mission of eradicating polio from the world. Watch the video.
. It was spectacular in every way, the importance and impact were intense and meaningful not only for the Rotarians but also conveyed to me by our non-Rotarians companions, which was unsolicited and unexpected and I will not admit that it brings me to tears recapping it.
Fellow Rotarians in Sioux Falls North, Shelli and Diane, joined the trip as well as four non-Rotarian friends plus three Austrians Rotarian and non-Rotarians. The primary purpose of the trip was to conduct an awareness rally on Polio and importance of vaccination and, of course, to administer these vaccinations in the slums of Agra, India. However, equally meaningful was the continued interaction with local Rotarians, plus the children, at a school they support which was initially renovated and curriculum uplifted by the Australian Rotarians within the group. Shelli and Diane spent extra days learning about the greater healthcare system while the rest of us had a chance to spend several days touring the northern part of India. This included immersing ourselves in the fascinating Hindu culture (80% of the population) and the Islamic influence (17% of the population). We visited temples, mosques, historical sites, spice, textile, and gemstone markets. We even spent the night at a 1464 Palace (adjusted for modern plumbing), Why? Why not! Let’s not forget one of the seven wonders of the world is in India, the Taj Mahal. Stunning from afar and up close plus inside. Furthermore, in the backdrop of the entire visit was the Holi Fest. This celebration of good over evil meets a color run was celebrated everywhere by everyone, adults, children, cars, and animals. A delightful happy spirit surrounded us.
I invite you to consider a trip of this nature. It was well worth the very reasonable price! Contact Travellama India (Rotary owned), Mr. Sachin Wadhwa, sachin@travellamaindia.com, WhatsApp +91 9068 444 560 (or Jennifer Rollins for a warm introduction) to get started on expanding your heartfelt journey in helping to eradicate Polio.