FEBRUARY: WORLD UNDERSTANDING MONTH

DG Ken and Pam with Eve Vega - Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Mexico hosted by The Rotary Club of Clearlake

DG Newsletters: February | March

February is World Understanding Month. As Rotarians, our goal is to work toward peace through understanding and, to work toward understanding through service. This service is translated into a variety of community projects in District 5130. It is also seen in the work done internationally by so many of our clubs. These projects involve both Rotarians and beneficiaries. They are projects that genuinely create understanding and bring people together for a common purpose. They allow Rotarians to share in the pride and benefit of a job well done.

This became very evident to Pam and I as we traveled to Nigeria to participate in an Immunization Plus Day in late November. Since Rotary International chose to take on the goal of global polio eradication, we have seen how working toward a common objective can bring people together. In Nigeria we observed an uncommon level of cooperation and communication between international organizations, the government of Nigeria and the local community. We will never forget the openness and trust that developed between Rotarians, local health workers and ourselves as we worked together to administer polio vaccine to remote Muslim villages. The world became a smaller place as we worked together to make a difference in the lives of small children.

Pam and I have a new respect and a better understanding for the commitment of those with whom we worked with to "Kick Polio Out of Nigeria"! It is this "understanding" that we honor during the month of February. As our Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson recently stated, "If we plan and serve well, we will also build lasting bridges to a better future." Let this be our legacy as we commit to world understanding and our belief that peace is possible.

Sincerely, Governor Ken