We are proud to announce the successful completion of Global Grant GG2453277 – Integrated Watershed Development in Sathakodu, located in Pullalacheruvu Mandal, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

This transformative project focused on sustainable water conservation, soil rejuvenation, agricultural productivity, and livelihood restoration for the underdeveloped rural community of Sathakodu. It directly benefitted over 581 families by reviving 30+ acres of agricultural land, restoring groundwater in previously dried borewells, and creating job opportunities for landless farmers. (Read More)

Two articles which I have read recently and found interesting and useful.

1. Last week a joint statement was delivered by Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians to those attending the COP28 Summit;

"We call on everyone, whatever their belief or world view, to endeavour to listen to the cry of the earth and of people who are poor, examining their behaviour and pledging meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the earth which God has given us."

Rotary is playing its part – with 1.4 million members world wide we can play a large role in “listening to the cry of the Earth.”

From the Rotary website:

Rotary to amplify climate action at COP28 in Dubai

Rotary will help facilitate collaboration on community-led climate action, and discuss the intersection of climate change and mental health

EVANSTON, Ill., USA (21 Sept. 2023) — As nations unite to fight the escalating climate crisis, Rotary is stepping forward to foster dialogue, drive partnerships, and highlight community-led solutions at the 2023 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai from 30 Nov. to 12 Dec.

Set against the backdrop of a world grappling with multifaceted environmental challenges, Rotary will emphasize the importance of collaborative community-driven action and will help facilitate discussions between climate experts and key opinion leaders from across the globe. The Rotary delegation, led by Rotary International President Gordon McInally, Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Barry Rassin, and Rotary International General Secretary and CEO John Hewko, will manage a Pavilion in the UN-managed venue. Across the two weeks, Rotary will host 28 breakout sessions aligned with the COP28 thematic days.

“We aim to bring to the fore how community-driven organizations like Rotary can catalyse positive change and effectively tackle both the causes and impacts of climate change,” said McInally. "Our legacy is not just in the projects we initiate, but in the global collaborations we foster for a healthier planet.”

McInally will share his vision of Rotary's role in addressing global mental health challenges during a Rotary-hosted panel that will explore solutions related to the intersection of climate change and mental health. As a testament to Rotary’s global community presence and commitment to climate action, the Association of Rotary Clubs in UAE will showcase local environmental initiatives in the venue managed by the COP28 UAE Presidency.

Across the globe, Rotary members have pioneered a multitude of community-driven solutions that address environmental challenges, from Madagascar's reforestation projects to organic farming practices in Taiwan and the preservation of mangrove forests worldwide. The Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful and impactful service, has committed more than US$23.7 million toward sustainable, community-based environmental projects and scholarships for professionals interested in pursuing careers related to the environment.