Dear Fellow Rotarians,
November is Rotary Foundation Month, a time to reflect on the incredible work made possible through the generosity of Rotarians around the world. One of the Rotary Foundation's key areas of focus is Maternal and Child Health, a cause that is particularly close to my heart.
This Rotary year, our club is participating in two international service projects. One of them focuses on improving maternal healthcare for mothers in Hinche, Haiti, through Maternal Healthcare International. I have been receiving updates from this organization, and it is truly heartwarming to see how our contributions, together with support from our district, are making a meaningful difference in people's lives. It is a beautiful reminder that the impact of our service extends far beyond our immediate community. This project also brings back some personal memories from my childhood in Ghana, West Africa. I remember accompanying my mother to weighing appointments for my younger siblings when they were babies. These were community clinics organized to provide basic healthcare services to mothers and children, particularly those who could not afford hospital visits at the time. I am certain that my mother also took me to similar clinics when I was a baby. Those childhood images have stayed with me over the years. Looking back, I realize how important these initiatives were to families like mine. Access to maternal and child healthcare is not simply about medical services; it is about giving mothers peace of mind, giving children a healthier start in life, and giving families hope.
Seeing our club contribute to similar efforts today reminds me of the generosity of people who choose to make a difference, even when the beneficiaries may be thousands of miles away. May we continue to rise above the call of service. May we continue to forge ahead, extending our hands and hearts to those who need us most.
As we dedicate ourselves to taking care of others, I also want to encourage each of us to remember to take care of ourselves. Service is meaningful, but so is our own well-being. Let us make time to rest, reconnect with loved ones, and nurture the relationships that give us strength.
Thank you for the work you do, the generosity you demonstrate, and the lives you continue to touch. I am grateful to serve alongside each of you. I love and appreciate you all. You are more than fellow Rotarians; you are family, and together, we can achieve so much more.
With gratitude,
Eugene Engmann
President, Rotary Club of Idaho Falls