The earth is losing fresh water at an alarming rate. This fact has not fallen silent on Rotary International. It’s why our organization has designated the month of March to support the Focus Area for Water and Sanitation initiatives, and is asking all Rotarians to step up to help bring an end the world’s fresh water crisis.
The Rotary Club of Yankton is involved as an International partner with the Rotary Club of Puerto Cortes, Honduras. The community of Puerto Cortes is one of the most impacted by the Motagua River. It is here where the deposit of plastic, medical, industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste from upstream land uses is washed up by ocean currents onto local beaches. Together, we’re collaborating on multiple Global Grants supporting projects and volunteer efforts to remove as much waste as we can, and restore Puerto Cortes to the thriving tourism and fishing economy it used to be. We’re doing this through supporting volunteer beach cleanup efforts, assisting with the development of a recycling center where plastic waste can be repurposed into usable products, creating a catchment system to keep rainwater from washing plastic waste back into the ocean, and providing educational opportunities to teach about the importance of environmental protection and the need for recycling.
Being involved as an International partner has turned out to be one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences ever for the Yankton Rotary Club. It’s not the daunting task one might think. The relationships formed with fellow Rotarians will last a lifetime. In fact, through our involvement, District 5610 is reaching out to District 4250 and other Clubs within the countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize on additional Global Grant opportunities. You’re invited to share your ideas and participate. There is plenty to do and countless ways to be involved. If you and/or your Club are interested, please click on the link below and consider signing up for the Rotary Service project and tourism event happening March 20 through the 29, 2026.