West Springfield Club Funds India Project
Posted by Rene Laviolette
on Jul 26, 2010
For the second consecutive year, The Rotary Club of West Springfield has teamed up with The Rotary Club of Shimoga, India,to provide 50 cows to 50 women in Shimoga, as part of The Rotary Foundation International Matching Grants Program.
The project was spearheaded by Robert MacDonald, of West Springfield, Mass., former Rotary District (7890) Governor and past President of The Rotary Club of West Springfield. MacDonald, who currently serves as a member of the West Springfield Club's Board of Directors, said that one cow alone can change the entire life of an Indian woman. He explained that economically disadvantaged women in the Indian culture are not regarded highly by their husbands and children because they often do not bring any income into their households.
"These women do not have any marketable vocational skills or an education," said MacDonald. However, the acquisition of a cow gives women the ability to gain status in their households and the community. By learning how to take care of the cow, women are able to provide milk for their family and sell the leftover milk for profit. "It helps to alleviate some of the poverty and allows the women to be self-employed," said MacDonald. "They increase their status by being able to provide for their children. It really boosts their self-esteem."
The cows are specifically bred to yield a high quantity of milk, so the benefits last for years to come. There is also the opportunity for the cows to reproduce, allowing the women to sell the new calves as an additional source of income.
"It's a sustainable project that has such a great effect on the community," said MacDonald.
Funding for the grant came from matching donations from District 7890, which serves Western Mass. and Northern Conn., The Rotary Club of West Springfield, The Rotary Club of Shimoga, District 3180 in India and The Rotary Foundation. Over $34,000 has been allocated for this cause in the past two years.
Rotary International is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
The Rotary Club of West Springfield meets Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. at The Monte Carlo Restaurant on Memorial Avenue.
"These women do not have any marketable vocational skills or an education," said MacDonald. However, the acquisition of a cow gives women the ability to gain status in their households and the community. By learning how to take care of the cow, women are able to provide milk for their family and sell the leftover milk for profit. "It helps to alleviate some of the poverty and allows the women to be self-employed," said MacDonald. "They increase their status by being able to provide for their children. It really boosts their self-esteem."
The cows are specifically bred to yield a high quantity of milk, so the benefits last for years to come. There is also the opportunity for the cows to reproduce, allowing the women to sell the new calves as an additional source of income.
"It's a sustainable project that has such a great effect on the community," said MacDonald.
Funding for the grant came from matching donations from District 7890, which serves Western Mass. and Northern Conn., The Rotary Club of West Springfield, The Rotary Club of Shimoga, District 3180 in India and The Rotary Foundation. Over $34,000 has been allocated for this cause in the past two years.
Rotary International is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
The Rotary Club of West Springfield meets Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. at The Monte Carlo Restaurant on Memorial Avenue.