This trip to South Africa was not only my first extensive international travel EVER, but my first experience seeing how through Rotary International, you can partner with clubs around the world, creating relationships and the ability to work on projects together. Multiple Rotary clubs represented Frederick on this trip (Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, Key City Rotary, Rotary Club of Frederick) and the Rotary Club of Colesburg, South Africa were our gracious hosts.
RCCC and RCC originally partnered to work together on a community center project in Richmond, South Africa called Grassroots Hope in South Africa. The relationship between these Rotary clubs to bring this project to its highest good, and the way the clubs have maintained this relationship for decades has been a huge eye-opener for me on how accessible Rotary International makes creating community and giving back.
I know how it sounds to say that this trip changed my life. Everything changes my life -eye roll-. But I’d never seen an international charity project before, with my own eyes. I’d never seen decade-long connections across the globe. I’d never experienced how that kind of love for humanity can truly impact people – both the receivers of the nonprofit services AND the volunteers. The idea that there was this ROTARY thing, and through it I could travel all over the world helping people and creating lasting relationships with strangers. IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
