An Opportunity for Empowerment: A Rotary Global Grant
The Rotary clubs of Ventura, California and Livingstone, Zambia are initiating a global grant in Kazungula, Zambia. This project has the potential to change the cycle of despair, early marriage, and sexual abuse for generations of young girls.
We need other Rotary clubs to participate to make this grant a reality. Clubs and individuals can contribute any amount, and all contributions will count towards Paul Harris points. Please contact George J. Poulakos of the Rotary Club of Ventura by email at gjp@tribecacom.com or call 954-494-4387.
The Problem: A Slow River Crossing Which Causes Devastating Consequences for Young Girls
The only crossing between the Southern African country of Zambia and neighboring Botswana is in Kazungula. The Zambesi River flows between the two countries, and all vehicles must be carried over on a pontoon. Commercial trucks wait in a queue for up to 10 days, and during this time, many of them entice vulnerable young girls to "entertain" them. This is much easier than it should be in an extremely impoverished town with a history of sexual abuse and child marriage. With no source of income in their families, many girls and young women become victims of this sexual abuse.
The Solution: A Global Grant for
The Grace Centre
Prominent civic leaders in nearby Livingstone, Zambia, a tourist destination, have already taken action. They've identified 3 vocations where trained young women can find employment-tailoring, computer work, and food preparation. They formed an NGO and opened The Grace Centre to provide counseling, training, and in select cases, funds for secondary school education.
The founders have ambitious goals, but they were only able to solicit enough funds from individual donors to build the facilities and get the tailoring program started, which has now enrolled 30 young girls and women.
For The Grace Centre to become a reality, additional operating funds are now required.
Once the funds are acquired, The Grace Centre should become self-sufficient within 3 years. The center will generate revenues by employing graduates to create tailored goods, operate an on-premise restaurant, and provide catered meals.
What the Global Grant will Provide
• The equipment, building modifications and furniture to begin operations
Paid
This project is "Paid". This means the funds have been received and the project is being implemented.
Project listed for the 2019-20 Rotary Year.
The TRF Grant application number is #1866010.
Proposed Financing
Existing Contributions Towards This Project
Date
Cash
DDF
Total
Livingstone (9210)
25-Mar-18
$100
$10,000
$10,100
Ventura (5240)
25-Mar-18
$10,000
$18,000
$28,000
Newbury Park (5240)
25-Mar-18
$3,500
$0
$3,500
Ojai West (5240)
25-Mar-18
$2,000
$0
$2,000
Ojai (5240)
25-Mar-18
$500
$0
$500
Thousand Oaks (5240)
25-Mar-18
$1,000
$0
$1,000
Malibu (5280)
25-Mar-18
$100
$0
$100
Moorpark (5240)
25-Mar-18
$500
$0
$500
Santa Paula (5240)
25-Mar-18
$100
$0
$100
Montecito (5240)
30-Mar-18
$1,000
$0
$1,000
Solvang (5240)
10-Jun-18
$5,000
$0
$5,000
Simi Sunset (5240)
10-Jun-18
$500
$0
$500
North Stafford (7610)
7-Oct-18
$2,000
$0
$2,000
Fort Collins-Breakfast (5440)
20-Oct-18
$2,000
$2,000
$4,000
Cambria (5240)
6-Jul-19
$1,000
$0
$1,000
Hermosa Beach (5280)
6-Jul-19
$500
$0
$500
Manhattan Beach (5280)
6-Jul-19
$1,000
$0
$1,000
Ventura South (5240)
6-Jul-19
$5,000
$0
$5,000
Paso Robles (5240)
6-Jul-19
$2,000
$0
$2,000
Culver City (5280)
6-Jul-19
$1,000
$0
$1,000
Woodland Hills (5280)
6-Jul-19
$1,500
$0
$1,500
Simi Sunrise (5240)
6-Jul-19
$4,000
$0
$4,000
San Luis Obispo (5240)
6-Jul-19
$25,000
$0
$25,000
Ventura (5240)
7-Jul-19
$3,900
$0
$3,900
Amount Requested from The Rotary Foundation
$36,600
$30,000
$66,600
Total
$169,800
Note: as of July 1, 2015 there is a 5% additional support fee for cash contributions. This fee does not appear in the financials above because it does not apply if the funds are sent directly to the project account (without going through TRF, and therefore without Paul Harris credit). Clubs sending their cash contribution to TRF must be aware they will have to send an additional 5%.
System Entry: Pledge of $3,500 by Dana Moldovan of the Rotary Club of Newbury Park, District 5240.
25-Mar-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $2,000 by Mike Caldwell of the Rotary Club of Ojai West, District 5240.
25-Mar-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $500 by Mike Weaver of the Rotary Club of Ojai, District 5240.
25-Mar-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $1,000 by John Bradley of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, District 5240.
25-Mar-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $100 by Allan Mannheim of the Rotary Club of Malibu, District 5280.
25-Mar-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $100 by Allan Mannheim of the Rotary Club of Malibu, District 5280.
25-Mar-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $500 by Jim Lewis of the Rotary Club of Moorpark, District 5240.
25-Mar-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $100 by John Chamberlain of the Rotary Club of Santa Paula, District 5240.
30-Mar-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $1,000 by Harlan Green of the Rotary Club of Montecito, District 5240.
10-Jun-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $5,000 by George Poulakos of the Rotary Club of Solvang, District 5240.
10-Jun-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $500 by George Poulakos of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset, District 5240.
10-Jun-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $500 by George Poulakos of the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach, District 5280.
7-Oct-18
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $2,000 by Sarah Laws of the Rotary Club of North Stafford, District 7610.
2-Apr-19
by George Poulakos
Application sent in December. Since then we have responded to two sets of extensive queries. The application is with the Cadres.
4-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
This project has been fully funded and approved.
5-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
Fully pledged
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $1,000 by Gerry Porter of the Rotary Club of Cambria, District 5240.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $500 by steve pederson of the Rotary Club of Hermosa Beach, District 5280.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $1,000 by ken deemer of the Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach, District 5280.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $5,000 by Dante Honorico of the Rotary Club of Ventura South, District 5240.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $25,000 by Tom Bormes of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, District 5240.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $2,000 by Gail Tannehill of the Rotary Club of Paso Robles, District 5240.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $1,000 by Lyn Caron of the Rotary Club of Culver City, District 5280.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $1,500 by elizabeth tilkian of the Rotary Club of Woodland Hills, District 5280.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $4,000 by Chas Wilson of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, District 5240.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $25,000 by Tom Bormes of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, District 5240.
6-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Project is now "Fully Pledged".
7-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Pledge of $3,900 by Gary Gutchess of the Rotary Club of Ventura, District 5240.
7-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Application Sent to The Rotary Foundation through Member Access.
7-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Application approved by The Rotary Foundation.
7-Jul-19
by George Poulakos
System Entry: Payment has been issued by The Rotary Foundation.
3-Feb-20
by George Poulakos
We are continuing to monitor the initial distribution of funds and are preapring for the Interim report which is due in July
19-Feb-20
by George Poulakos
The project is moving along. Construction of the restaurant building is complete and most of the equipment has been purchased and will be installed shortly.
2-Sep-20
by George Poulakos
An Interim Report was sent to the Foundation in JUne. At the moment, we are communicating with Nesta Hatendi who wi reviewing our updated information on the project
16-Mar-21
by George Poulakos
The project is ongoing. A second year report is being prepared and will be submitted by the end of July. A Rotarian from the International club will be doing a site visit in June and will be reviewing the project
16-Oct-21
by George Poulakos
We have received approval from RI on our second year report.
2-May-22
by George Poulakos
We have been having challenges from the Grace Centre on updates, both financials and student graduation rates. We have asked RI to hold off any more payments until we receive these updates.
2-Dec-22
by George Poulakos
We are preparing to submit the third year report
16-Jun-23
by George Poulakos
We are in the process of enhancing the staff and determining whether the additional funds that reside at RF should be released
2-Jan-24
by George Poulakos
Progressing with the final pahsaew
16-Jul-24
by George Poulakos
All is going asplanned.
2-Feb-25
by George Poulakos
We are in the final year of this project and we expect to prepare a Final report by August of this year.
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