Rotary Clubs In Afghanistan: Presence And Impact

Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world, with over 46,000 member clubs and 1.4 million members worldwide. Rotary Clubs exist to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. While I could not find explicit confirmation of the existence of Rotary Clubs in Afghanistan, there is evidence of Rotary Clubs aiding Afghan refugees and working to create positive peace in the country. For example, the Rotary Club of Minnesota Veterans has helped charter flights to the US for Afghan refugees, and the Rotary Club of Duxbury has raised funds to build a free private school for girls in Afghanistan.

Rotary Clubs and their work with refugees

Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization with over 46,000 member clubs worldwide and a total membership of 1.4 million individuals. Rotary's mission is to "provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders".

Rotary Clubs and their members have been recognized for their work in alleviating the global refugee crisis. In 2019, six humanitarians who were members of the Rotary family were honored as People of Action: Connectors Beyond Borders during Rotary Day at the United Nations. Rotary International President Mark Maloney affirmed the organization's commitment to helping refugees, stating that "Rotary members are creating community-based solutions to provide immediate relief, plus resources for refugees' long-term integration and recovery." Rotary Clubs across the world have been involved in various projects to help refugees, from providing essential supplies and medical care to offering scholarships and language classes.

In Minnesota, the Rotary Community Corps (RCC) has been instrumental in easing the transition for Afghan refugees. The RCC is a group of non-Rotary community volunteers who work alongside sponsor Rotary clubs to address the most pressing needs in their communities. The RCC for the Afghan Community in Minnesota was chartered in January 2022 and has since provided essential services such as assistance with employment, transportation, education, and legal issues.

In Uganda, the Rotaract Club of Nakivale has been supporting refugees by providing them with sugar, soap, and clothes. The club is based inside a refugee settlement, allowing its members to directly serve the refugee community. The Rotaract club in Nakivale is unique in that it may be the first Rotaract club based inside a refugee settlement or camp.

During the recent conflict in Ukraine, Rotary and Rotaract clubs in Europe and worldwide have mobilized to provide rapid humanitarian relief for Ukrainian refugees. They have worked together to provide food, water, medical equipment, and shelter for those fleeing their homes. Rotary clubs in Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Austria, and other neighboring countries have been particularly active in coordinating relief efforts and offering assistance to refugees.

The work of Rotary Clubs and their members in supporting refugees demonstrates their commitment to service and improving lives around the world. Through their local and international initiatives, Rotary Clubs play a crucial role in alleviating the challenges faced by refugees and helping them rebuild their lives.

Rotary Clubs' role in creating scholarships for Afghan refugees

Rotary Clubs have played a significant role in creating scholarships for Afghan refugees, demonstrating their commitment to education and refugee resettlement.

In March 2022, Ademar Bechtold, a professor of economics at Notre Dame of Maryland University, suggested that the university could provide one or two scholarships for Afghan youth. This idea was well-received by the Rotary Action Group for Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Migration. As a result, the university generously committed to providing two full-tuition scholarships for young Afghan women, recognising the importance of supporting the resettlement effort and promoting social responsibility.

Rotary Clubs have also been instrumental in establishing Rotary Community Corps (RCC), which assist Afghan refugees in meeting essential needs and integrating into their new communities. One such example is the RCC for the Afghan Community in Minnesota, USA, which was formed in December 2021. This RCC brings together members of five local Rotary clubs to work with the Afghan community. They address various needs, including employment, transportation, education, and legal issues.

The RCC in Minnesota has made a significant impact by helping Afghan refugees obtain driver's licenses, which is crucial for finding employment and navigating daily life. They have also received support from individuals and organisations outside the Rotary network, demonstrating the power of community collaboration.

In addition to these efforts, Rotary Clubs across the United States have provided various forms of assistance to Afghan refugees. For example, in Salt Lake City, Rotary members established a committee to work with over 40 Utah Rotary clubs to raise funds and help hundreds of arriving Afghans. Similarly, in Southern California, District 5340 raised more than $80,000 for refugee assistance in San Diego. These initiatives showcase the dedication of Rotary Clubs in supporting Afghan refugees and creating scholarship opportunities.

Furthermore, colleges and universities have also stepped up to offer scholarships and shelter to Afghan refugees. For instance, the University of Tulsa offered two scholarships, while Bard College in New York committed to admitting at least 100 Afghan refugees and providing full scholarships.

The work of Rotary Clubs and educational institutions highlights their shared goal of empowering Afghan refugees through education and supporting their successful resettlement.

Rotary Clubs' work in creating positive peace

Rotary Clubs are indeed present in Afghanistan, with one source detailing the work of the Rotary Club of Duxbury in the country. The club raised $65,000 in one night in 2005 to fund a free private school for girls in Afghanistan. The school, called the Zabuli Education Center, has been running for six years and has educated over 400 girls from kindergarten to ninth grade.

Rotary Clubs work to create positive peace by addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. They do this through service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships. Rotary Clubs also work with communities to develop the skills needed to resolve conflicts.

The Rotary Peace Centers, for example, have trained over 1,700 peace fellows who now work in over 140 countries. These fellows serve as leaders in governments, NGOs, educational and research institutions, peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies, and international organizations. The Rotary Peace Fellowship is a fully-funded program that covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.

Rotary Clubs also work to create positive peace by promoting economic development and supporting local businesses. They do this by approving economic development grants and providing other resources and tools to help businesses succeed. This contributes to creating equitable and resilient societies, which is a key aspect of positive peace.

Additionally, Rotary Clubs work to create positive peace by providing access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and water and sanitation. For example, club members have installed bathrooms in schools to help students stay in school and built accessible playgrounds for children. They also work to improve the health of mothers and children and support education and literacy initiatives.

Overall, Rotary Clubs work to create positive peace by addressing the underlying causes of conflict, promoting economic development, and providing access to essential services that contribute to creating equitable and resilient societies.

Rotary Clubs' work in resettling Afghan refugees in the US

Rotary Clubs across the United States are aiding in the resettlement of Afghan refugees. In Minnesota, the Rotary Club of Edina/Morningside, in partnership with other clubs, has helped establish the Rotary Community Corps for the Afghan Community in Minnesota. The RCC helps new arrivals obtain essential services, including employment, transportation, education, and legal assistance.

In Utah, the Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services, in partnership with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, has helped resettle more than 300 Afghan refugees. In Texas, Refugee Services of Texas, in collaboration with Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, has provided six cars to Afghan refugee families. In Virginia, the International Rescue Committee is aiding in the resettlement of Afghan refugees, and in Wisconsin, New Beginnings for Refugees is assisting in the same effort.

Rotary Clubs are also helping Afghan refugees in other ways. For example, the Rotary Club of Duxbury, Massachusetts, raised funds to build a free private school for girls in Afghanistan. In Maryland, the Rotary Club of Edina/Morningside has helped charter the Rotary Club of Minnesota Veterans, the first club formed for military veterans to help other veterans.

Rotary Clubs' work in providing essential services to Afghan refugees

Rotary Clubs have been actively aiding Afghan refugees in resettling and integrating into their new communities. One of the most notable efforts is the establishment of the Rotary Community Corps (RCC), which are groups of non-Rotary community volunteers who work with sponsor Rotary clubs to address the most pressing needs of the communities they serve.

One such RCC is the Rotary Community Corps for the Afghan Community in Minnesota, which was chartered in January 2022. The RCC in Minnesota helps new arrivals obtain essential services and navigate their new lives. This includes assistance with employment, transportation, education, and legal issues. The RCC also helps with translating important documents, such as driver's manuals, into Pashto and Dari, the official languages of Afghanistan.

Rotary Clubs across the United States are also providing basic household items, appropriate clothing for the climate, adequate food supplies, and assistance with English language training and employment services. In addition, Rotary members have partnered with leading refugee resettlement agencies to offer long-term support to Afghan refugees settling in their communities.

Furthermore, Rotary clubs and members are also helping with the creation of scholarships for Afghan refugees. For example, the University of Notre Dame of Maryland has committed to providing two full-tuition scholarships for young Afghan women, thanks to the efforts of Rotarians Ademar Bechtold and Quentin Wodon.

The work of Rotary Clubs and their members in providing essential services to Afghan refugees is a testament to their dedication to serving others and promoting peace and goodwill in the world.

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