International Projects

Each year The Rotary Club of Bendigo supports a number of International humanitarian issues.

Learn more about our International Projects here:

End Polio Now

Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 30 years, and we’ve made incredible progress in the fight to rid the world of it forever. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've helped to reduced polio cases by more than 99.9 percent. It’s crucial to eliminate polio from the last three countries where it remains endemic and to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. Be a part of history and donate today. We’re close to eradicating polio, but we’re not done yet. We still need funds to continue immunization and surveillance efforts. Your gift will get us closer to the finish line.

End Trachoma by 2020

You can help Rotary End Trachoma by 2020 by saving your used postage stamps from envelopes or by making a donation to this important project. The World Health Organisation has a global goal to eliminate trachoma by 2020. Trachoma is an infectious eye disease that can be prevented with good hygiene practices. Though it is still present in remote Aboriginal communities and can lead to permanent blindness. The work of the Australian Government, the Fred Hollows Foundation and Indigenous Eye Health to treat trachoma infections has seen significantly reduced rate of infection in the affected communities.

The Rotary Club of Bendigo is raising funds through stamp collecting, funds that will be used to ensure that hygiene practices and community environments are improved to completely eliminate the disease. Rotarians are being asked to consider supporting this important project. Contact our Club today to organise collection of your used postage stamps.

Micro-Finance Project Progress Self-Help Group with Leprosy Affected Persons in Nepal

This projects aims to promote skills, generate employment and provide income that will not only benefit householders living with Hansen’s Disease, but to also financially support the work of the Progress Self-Help Group with Leprosy Affected Persons. The project funds sewing machines and sewing education to enable income generation through on selling of handmade items. A percentage of income is then returned to the Group as well as providing income to the householder. The project also provides chickens to families, to generate income by egg selling in the local area.

World Leprosy Day Health Camps in Nepal

The Rotary Club of Bendigo, along with the Progress Self-Help Group with Leprosy Affected Persons and Nepali RC Chitwan and RC Jawalakhel, host each January the annual World Leprosy Day Health Camps in Kathmandu. People living with Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) can attend the free health camp and benefit from health education to learn more about prevention, early detection and treatment. Everyone has a free consultation with a doctor specialising in Hansen’s Disease and receives a self-care kit to take home to help manage their wound care, and prevent deformities. This health promotion day also helps to prevent social isolation and stigma sometimes attached to those living with Hansen’s Disease by facilitating social connection and activities in the wider community.

Youth Training and Education Program in Nepal

The Youth Training and Education Program support young people in Nepal who aim to study and work in Nepal following completion of the tertiary education. The program covers the costs of college fees, thereby enabling a young person to gain a relevant qualification that will lead to employment and subsequent contribution within their own community in Nepal. The previous recipient gained her Health Science Diploma in Nursing and is now working in a health clinic in remote Nepal. Nawang Tamang (see pic) is the current recipient about to enter his second year of a Social Work Degree that will enable him, on his graduation, to work with youth in the area of mental health.

Learn more about our Club Projects, Community Projects and Youth Programs.