Often we are reluctant to donate money to a worthy cause because we aren't sure that our money actually reaches those it is intended for.  Donating through Rotary is a way to alleviate those worries.  Our club is fortunate to have a member who actually goes on location, checks and reports the progress to the club.  David and Marissa Troxell presented an update on two of our ongoing international projects, the weavers in Nepal and the school in Cambodia.
     WEAN, Women's Entrepreneurial Association of Nepal consists of a three year commitment by our club with a sister club at Jawalekhel, Nepal.  The program consists of approximately 25 women, most have no education, but all have a desire to earn a living by producing high quality hand woven mats.  The process included purchasing new looms, developing a product that would sell to upscale markets such as high end hotels, and then, in the third year, this year, developing those markets.  All was on track until the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal in April.  The area in which the women live is flat and was not effected by the earthquake, the area is similar to India.  Unfortunately the areas where they had hoped to sell their mats were devastated, mainly the capital city of Katmandu.  The earthquake has put the entire county into a holding pattern, including the WEAN project.  The Troxells visited Nepal just weeks before the earthquake, meeting with Rotarian Rita Bhandary of the sister club in Nepal.  The slide show that accompanied the presentation showed beautiful photos of  an ancient landscape that no longer exists xxx, after being destroyed by the earthquake.  Nepal is a very religious country and helping one another is considered an opportunity, opportunity has knocked and we will continue to do what we can to help as the country struggles towards recovery.
     For the second half of the presentation we shifted our attention to a small school in Cambodia.  This is a school for children so poor that they can't afford to attend the public school, even though it is free.  There are 335 students in first through ninth grades.  Without the funding of Rotary clubs around the world this school could not exist, Rotary pays for everything from transportation, which is primitive but effective, to school uniforms.  Our club has provided funding for grass on the playground, prior to the grass being added it was covered in stones which made it impossible for the girls to participate in outdoor activities.   Through our literacy project we have sent books.  Several of our books arrived while the Troxells were visiting.  The Troxells also teach classes while they are there.  But one of the most heartwarming projects initiated by our club is a type of pen pal program between Love School in Jamestown and the Cambodian School.  The Love School students collected money to buy soccer balls for the Cambodian children.  David and Marissa video taped segments of the Cambodian children saying hello to their Love School counterparts during their visit.  In addition to their classes the children receive two hot meals a day and each family receives a 50 lb. bag of rice.  There is also a high level of family participation at the school.  The Troxells proposed two new Club projects for the Cambodian School.  The first involved eye glasses for the students.  None of the 335 students had eye glasses.  They are working on the details of developing that project.  Another Club opportunity is an immediate need for individual student sponsors.  Each of the 335 students needs to be sponsored, and they still need 63 sponsors for this year.  Several Rotarians stepped up to the challenge following Monday's meeting but more are needed.  If you are interested please contact David Troxell, (716) 969-7165 or email him at davidjtroxell@hotmail.com.    Remember, you won't be sending your money off into cyberspace with only the hope that it will reach a needy student, your donation is virtually hand delivered by Rotarian David Troxell to a child in need. 
     Our club can't thank David and Marissa enough for their involvement in these two worthy projects, both personally and as representatives of our Rotary Club.  A donation will be made to Rotary International's PolioPlus Campaign on their behalf.
 
Club President Michael Moots; Executive Director JCC Foundation, David Troxell,
Marissa Troxell (seated), Brigetta Overcash; WCA Foundation Executive Director,
and Tory Igang; United Way of Southern Chautauqua County Executive Director