Tayyaba Gul ( right ), of the Rotary Club of Islamabad ( Metropolitan ), Pakistan , leads a team of Rotary-funded Lady Health Workers in Nowshera . The team helps to address cultural gaps that can hinder vaccinations . They use cellphones to report data , allowing reports to go directly to Pakistan ’ s National Emergency Operations Center . Rotary International is working closely with the government of Pakistan and its GPEI partners to intensify polio-eradication efforts there by addressing cultural barriers and increasing immunization posts at border crossings and transit hubs to reach a mobile society . 18 April 2016 . Find the story in “ The Rotarian ,” October 2016 , pages 32-4 .
Photo by Khaula Jamil © Khaula Jamil All Rights Reserved .
Rotarians decided something had to be done !
In 1985 , Rotary launched its PolioPlus program , the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children . Since that time , Rotary has contributed $ 1.7 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to the polio cause . In addition , Rotary ’ s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $ 7.2 billion to the effort .
Rotary ’ s long fight against polio has helped reduce polio cases worldwide by 99.9 percent since the 1980s , when the world saw about 1,000 confirmed cases of polio per day . That is true superhero status !
Millennials have been attracted by the same things that
Millennials are the lifeblood of Rotary , bringing fresh ideas and insights and keeping our clubs alive and relevant . In turn , young professionals are seeking a sense of purpose and belonging that Rotary provides . It ’ s a perfect match .
have attracted every other generation to join Rotary : We want a sense of purpose . We want to belong to something greater than ourselves . We want to be heroes ! This is why we make a difference in communities around the world , and this is why we have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio !
But in Rotary , it ’ s not just about saving the world ; it ’ s also about fun . Rotary has helped get me out of my own bubble and meet people from all walks of life . I ’ m constantly learning from these shared experiences by networking with others within the club , the larger organization , and the local and international community , be it face-to-face or via social media connections . We are a diverse group with one specific com-
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