Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Let's just start with the fact that the Rotary Club Lima Sunrise is the only English-speaking Rotary Club in Peru.

Then, maybe continue with the familiar atmosphere present at the Club's meetings, probably the result of its 20 person strong membership.

If this isn't enough, let me tell you about what this small amount of very dedicated people do for Peruvian society.

International
Counting among 9 different nationalities within its members, the Rotary Club Lima Sunrise has many international connections. The club hosts many guests (not just those from other Rotary Clubs), who pass by during their visit to Peru. As is customary in Rotary International, visiting guests may exchange their home Club's flag for that of Lima Sunrise.



Although the club consists of only 20 members, the extensive international network of Lima Sunrise makes it possible to execute projects that surpass the club's own resources and make a greater impact on society.



Identifying health as one of the most pressing problems in Peru, RC Lima Sunrise is dedicated to improving the health of those in need. One of the biggest ongoing projects the club does are the optical campaigns organized in Lima and Iquitos, in which around 1,000 people (including children) received eye examinations and complementary frames. Lima Sunrise also contributed $24,000 to the reopening of a clinic in San Juan de Miraflores providing medical and dental care.

Water
Water seems to take priority when it comes to Lima Sunrise projects, providing appropriate water systems and potable water for the communities of Indiana (Amazonas), Centro Fuerte and Pucallpa.



Due to the apparent ongoing demand, Lima Sunrise tries to provide as many water filters as possible to the communities needing them. Families receive water filters (one each) and some education as to why they are needed.

"People think that because the water is clear, they can drink it," comments Rafael Paz, 2009-2010 president of RC Lima Sunrise. "We have to teach them that there are invisible bacteria which can harm them," he adds. "Water tests showed that water in Buenos Aires (Chosica) contained 100 times more harmful bacteria than what is potable. Our filters reduced them to almost none," boasted Michael Betz, 2008-2009 president of RC Lima Sunrise, the man responsible for organizing the water filter project.

RC Lima Sunrise received a request recently for 100 more water filters, which they are planning to collect and donate in the future.

The Big Pisco Project
Destroyed remarkably rapidly in the 2007 earthquake, the city of Pisco did not recover rapidly. Seeing the situation there, RC Lima Sunrise decided to give a helping hand in restoring some of the medical facilities of the city, contributing to the building of a medical center (polyclinic) with RC Pisco. Construction of the polyclinic has already begun; it is expected to open in the first half of 2010, offering a variety of services, and is eventually expected to receive 200 visitors daily.


Michael Betz and the RC Lima Sunrise managed to collect a total of $300,000 through its international connections for the Pisco polyclinic project, covering the cost of its construction. The project, however, requires further funds, as Lima Sunrise wants to make sure the center can run for the first 2 years, after which is it is planned to become self-financing. "Lima Sunrise has also to look for the implementation of the clinic, which will be achieved by international donations of equipment and by a financial contribution to buy what is needed. The value of the equipment is calculated to be another $100,000," explained Mr. Betz.

For more information on Rotary Club Lima Sunrise, or if you are interested in attending their weekly 7am meetings at the Marriot Hotel, please contact Geraldina Chabes. To read more about Rotary Club Lima Sunrise, click here.