Featured Causes

International Projects

Dominican Republic Seniors Program

Far away from the sunny beaches that attract thousands of tourists to the Dominican Republic each year are the sugar cane fields. The people who live and work within these fields experience a contradiction - the beauty of the mountains against their poverty-stricken communities struggle to survive.

The Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise has been involved with the people of the Dominican Republic since 1998, with the guidance and help of the Canadian Grey Sisters who reside in Consuelo, Dominican Republic. The first seniors residence was opened in 1992 with the help of Rotary.

For a donation of $200/yr, one substantial meal of rice, beans, chicken and a salad is provided to a senior each day. They are also given a bed and receive medical care from a doctor who visits once per week.

Please contact Debbie Morgan at debbiem@rogers.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for more information and donation.

Viva La Loma

“La Loma” is an adult training center in the small town of Consuelo, Dominican Republic (approx 1½ hrs East of Santo Domingo). The Grey Sister’s of the Immaculate Conception established La Loma in 1997. The Grey Sisters, an order of Nun’s founded in Canada in 1737, have been working in the Dominican Republic since 1951.

La Loma’s purpose was to train locals for the emerging resort industry. In 2001 the local sugar mill closed, and as a result, the school was besieged with people wishing to be retrained and thus find work. The school was unable to accommodate the increased demand. In 2001 a Canadian Rotarian, Bob McAllister & friend Bob Kirk rode bicycles from Whitby, Ontario to Chicago, Illinois in order to raise money for an addition to La Loma. By raising $35,000, a new building was constructed and opened in 2004.  In 2006 there were 314 graduates in areas such as waiter/waitress, bartending, small engine repair and plumbing to list a few. All found placement in their area of study. This is significant since the unemployment rate of the region prior to La Loma was 90%.  Graduates from La Loma have continued since opening this facility and each year Rotarians visit the facility and are excited to see it's continued impact on the people of Consuelo.

Ongoing stewardship of La Loma is carried out by Infotep (approx. English translation: Institute National Formation of Technical Professionals). Infotep is a Dominican agency controlled by private sector and government funding. They provide salaries for teachers, along with curriculums for various courses. An Infotep diploma is internationally recognized, thus students graduating from La Loma can find work throughout the Caribbean and around the world. La Loma has just been recognized for Educational Excellence by Spanish American countries, and will receive this prestigious award in Panama later this year.

Due to its success, La Loma is expanding once again. The new building was constructed with the provision of adding a second floor at a later date. That later date is now.  In 2008, 8 people rode bicycles from Vancouver BC to Calgary AB to raise funds for an expansion of the school (http://www.vivalaloma.com/). Construction was completed with occupancy in the fall of 2009.

Team Laos

Laos has become a new area in which we have invested both time and funds, in large part because of the personal commitment of fellow Rotarian's. Schools, water systems, educational supports and food programs are being impacted by our contributions.

Visit the Adopt a Village in Laos for all the details of why this project helps so many.