Cleft palate and lips are a gestational development condition where the formation of the palate and/or sometimes lip is incomplete. The condition results in an opening between the nasal and oral passages in addition to facial deformities. Children born with the condition experience difficulties with breast feeding and breathing leading to poor nutrition and sometimes death. In impoverished regions, which lack the resources to provide necessary medical treatment and education to parents, these children are often abandoned or shunned within their communities. In rural Peru, where education is limited and beliefs are formed through tradition, there are cultural misconceptions and about the cause of this condition, leading to ideas that the children and their mothers are cursed by God or nature for misdeeds. The children who survive to adulthood suffer lifelong complications with eating, drinking, speaking, breathing and social acceptance.
The project is sponsored by the Club Rotario Arequipa Selva Alegre, in Arequipa and the Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary Club. The surgeries will be performed in Paz Holandesa, a local non-profit hospital which is financially supported by a Dutch foundation. The surgeries will be performed by a group of doctors from Barcelona, Spain (FES) supported by AMEPA, a non-profit association of Peruvian doctors residing in Barcelona, Spain.
While all the medical services and the facilities are provided pro-bono by the team of doctors and the clinic, there are additional expenses and services which require funding. The Rotary Clubs of Selva Alegre and Yorba Linda Sunrise are committed to promoting the services, locating and transporting the children to Paz Holandesa, assisting the families with pre- and post-surgery medical costs, and to housing and feeding the families during their stay. Funds are also needed for the local transportation and room and board of the clinical team.
The Yorba Linda Sunrise proposed donation of $6,000 ($3,000 our funds and $3,000 the District Grant) will go towards the cost of medical supplies and housing. Our sister club, Selva Alegre, will provide additional funds for feeding, clothing, and transport of the families from and back to their villages. Also, since the two Rotary clubs are sister clubs, it is planned that some Rotarians from the Yorba Linda Club will travel to the site, at their own expense, to assist with the work and assist our sister club in overseeing financial stewardship of the project. The total cost of the project is dependent upon the number of participants.
2014 EXPERIENCE:
This 2014-2015 District grant application is based upon a successful established project occurring this year from August 4th to the 16th, 2014. The partnership and roles between AMEPA, FES, Paz Holandesa, the Rotary Club of Selva Alegre and the Yorba Linda Rotary Club are already established and operational. Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary sent a donation of $4,000 for this years' project from our own internal funds which are being used to cover some of the medical supplies ($5,357) and housing costs ($900). The cost in excess of our $4,000 is being covered by the local Rotary Club of Selva Alegre.
Two Rotarians from the YLSRC have traveled to Peru, at their own expense, for the current project. They, and the local Selva Alegre Rotarians, are involved daily, with the financial stewardship of the funds, assisting the children and their parents and providing support to the clinical team. This support includes attending to the convalescing children and their families, organizing meals, and facilitating their return to their villages.
With the presence and involvement of the Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary Club at this year's project, we are able to better coordinate and plan the 2014-2015 District grant project. The $6,000 Grant we are applying for will help make a more significant financial contribution to what will hopefully be a larger project in 2015.
DISTRICT GRANT REQUIREMENTS:
1. Rotarians (in Peru and USA) are involved and personally participating in the project. The project, in its totality, will be organized by the Peruvian Rotary Club. There is a Rotarian contact at the clinic and the doctors coming from Barcelona will provide the surgical services. Also, the host Rotarians are involved with the logistics of food and housing of the doctors and patients.
2. The project expects full approval before it actually begins, no reimbursements. Approval is expected in 2014, and the project is scheduled to take place in June 2015.
3. The project is planned for June 2 to 14, 2015.
4. The project does not provide for scholarships, vocational teams, or travel.
5. This project includes two approved Areas of Focus: Disease Prevention and Treatment, and Maternal and Child Health. The Activity Type is Health and Disease.
6. The Project as a Budget and the total cost equals the total funding. Please see the attached Budget or schedule of expenditures and funds.
7. This request is for a District Matching Grant, YLSRC monies are equal to the District's matching.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. There are three non-Rotarian organizations participating: Paz Holandesa (The clinic where the service will be performed) and AMEPA (Association of Peruvian Doctors in Barcelona that support the surgeons). Please see the attached 5-year agreement.
2. There is already a great deal of public image about the project and the mission of Rotary within the Arequipa community. The Rotarians of Selva Alegre promote the project and Rotary through local and regional flyers, posters and presentations at area hospitals, clinics and schools.
3. The application and attached documents explain the non-Rotarian participation in the project. Please see item 1 above.
4. The non-Rotarian participation is stated in the attached 5-year agreement. Please also see item 1 above.
5. This is an international project that could qualify for special District consideration as cleft palate surgery solves a very serious defect and provides life changing services. Children who receive the surgery are able to grow into healthy and productive members of their community rather than being shunned or abandoned due to poor health, embarrassment or prejudice.
6. The 5-year agreement between the organizations makes the project very sustainable. The necessity for this kind of medical service is such that if the project's enthusiasm and the necessary resources are maintained it is hoped that it would continue on beyond the five year agreement.
INTERNATIONAL PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
1. This International project is definitely in two areas of focus: Disease prevention and treatment, and Maternal and Child Health. If expanded to include the parents, it could also be in Basic Education and Literacy.
2. The international host has already successfully organized the 2014 project. In fact, as of the time of this writing, the same service is currently taking place. (Please see "2014 Experience" above). The host club role is also explained above.
Maria del Rosario Torres
Presidenta 2014-2015
Club Rotario Arequipa Selva Alegre
Trianamorena50@hotmail.com
District 4450, Peru
3. All goods and services are to be purchased in Peru. The budget is in dollars.
4. The Peruvian Rotary Club is responsible for managing all funding.
5. The transfer of funds associated with this District Matching Grant will be done via a wire transfer, same as the transfer of monies made by the Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary Club for the 2014 campaign.
This District Matching Grant request has been discussed with Mr. Carlos Rioja, 2014-2015 District 4455 Governor, and Mr. Raul Ponce de Leon, 2015-2016, Governor Elect. They, as representatives of Rotary International, fully support this 2015 service project.
Mr. Carlos Rioja, 2014-2015 District 4455 Governor
Cell +51 994372107
Email: crioja@amauta.rcp.net.pe
Mr. Raul Ponce de Leon, 2015 - 2016, Governor Elect
Cell +51 959945438
Email: raulaqp@hotmail.com
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