Presentation of educational materials donated by Rotary Club of Roselle - Roselle Park at Belen de Carillo, Costa Rica

 

 

With an eye toward one of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus, basic education and literacy, The Rotary Club of Roselle – Park partnered with Club Rotario de Garabito (serving Playa Jaco, Garabito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica), Heredia Rotary Club of Costa Rica, Peace Corps, Peace Corps Volunteer Brittany Stromko (a Roselle Park resident serving with the Corps) and Give-A-Book Foundation to bring “a selected assortment of looks and didactic materials” to needy Costa Rican youngsters. 

 

Here is an outline of how the partnership works:

  • Peace Corps and Rotary International signed an official (general) collaboration agreement.
  • The USA Rotary Club provides the funding ($1,600) for the books.
  • The Peace Corp volunteer is responsible for implementation of the project and any reporting.
  • Give-A-Book provides the educational material (in Spanish) and coordinates between the organizations and the volunteers including orientation, coordination in logistics of the process of sponsorship and delivery of books.  
  • Costa Rican Rotary Clubs are responsible for funding the logistics including the delivery of the books.

      

Peace Corps volunteer Stromko explained, “I am hoping to establish libraries at the local high school and middle school in the rural community of Belen De Carillo, a community of roughly 4,000 people.  She also noted, “While many tourists drive through Belen on the way to the beaches, they do not see what living in rural Costa Rica looks like.  While the main highway is paved, no roads off of that highway are and many kids bike over an hour on the dirt roads to attend school.”  Speaking of conditions in the schools Brittany stated, “Books were such an important part of my childhood and my education and they are sorely missing from schools in rural Costa Rica.”

 

Brittany’s part in the project, aside from receiving the books, setting up the libraries and getting them into the hands of her student, is to ensure that the money is well spent.  Steve Leonard, Club President, said he expected success and lots of photos from Brittany as well as a full report.  Bob Zeglarski, a club member and point-person for the effort, explained that that Thomas Ghormley H., President of Club Rotario de Garabito, Costa Rica District 4240, invited a delegation of Rotarians to Costa Rica to see the project in action.  

 

Give-A-Book Foundation leader Carl Dickerson (also a Florida Rotarian) said, “The (Peace Corps) volunteer is also responsible to assure proper participation of the benefitted community including providing for the sustainability of the project in regard to adequate facilities, administration and responsibility for the books.”  

 

Based on the advice of her Peace Corps leader,  Peace Corp Volunteer and Roselle Park, NJ resident Brittany Stomko put out a call to her “hometown”  Rotary Club, , for monetary assistance with this worthwhile endeavor.  The goal was $1,600.  But timing was an issue - Brittany’s stint in Costa Rica as a Peace Corps volunteer is ending June 2015.  So if something could be done, it had to be done in time for her to receive the books and assure its success!  

 

Members of the Rotary Club of Roselle – Roselle Park rose to the occasion.  The challenge - the club’s budget included only $500 for such a situation.  The solution - club members donated their own money to bring the total up to $1,600.  The other challenge was communication:  Zeglarski communicated with Stromko via Skype and email when service was available.  Zeglarski commented, “We are talking about a very remote area of Costa Rica.” But all is well since the check has been received by Give-A-Book and the (Rotary) wheels are in motion to get the books in the hands of Brittany and her needy students.  

 

Aside from a Rotary moment for members of our club, the club will raise awareness of Rotary in our community and beyond as we publicize our work and have Brittany discuss the project upon her return to the USA.  Just as important, Brittany is now another starfish for our Rotary ocean.