The suitcases are packed for the annual Chemainus RotariansB次元官网网址� sojourn to San Antonio Palopo, Guatemala, but with a lot more than personal effects.

Tom Andrews and Derek Hardacker are representing the club and being joined by HardackerB次元官网网址檚 son Devan from Grande Prairie, Alberta on the humanitarian trip to take supplies and assist the residents of the region with various projects. TheyB次元官网网址檙e carrying an extra load by taking along donated shoes from Queen MargaretB次元官网网址檚 School plus shoes and donated funds to purchase more from Rotarians and friends of Rotarians as well as dental supplies from Dr. Brian Megas and the staff at Chemainus Family Dental on Oak Street.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what Rotary is all about,B次元官网网址� said Andrews. B次元官网网址淥ne of the Rotary areas of focus is maternal and child health.B次元官网网址�

The first trip made by Rotary Club of Chemainus members to Guatemala was in 2014 and the program has continued every year since. Andrews has only missed two: in 2015 due to a broken ankle and in 2021 while COVID travel restrictions were in place.

B次元官网网址淲e still did the project during COVID,B次元官网网址� Andrews pointed out. B次元官网网址淲e just did it remotely.B次元官网网址�

Hardacker went previously in back-to-back years in 2018 and 2019. The last trip included his daughter Kimberley from Whitehorse and heB次元官网网址檚 looking forward to this one with his son along.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a good experience for them to see,B次元官网网址� Hardacker said.

B次元官网网址淭he first time I was really taken aback. The second year it was appreciating how much of a difference we were making to peoplesB次元官网网址� lives.B次元官网网址�

The Rotarians are busy working the entire time theyB次元官网网址檙e there and this is not a free ride, either.

B次元官网网址淲e pay our own airfare, hotel,B次元官网网址� said Hardacker. B次元官网网址淲e pay all of our own travel expenses.B次元官网网址�

Andrews noted funds are raised through various club activities, including the highly-successful Saturday bottle drop devised by Hardacker, for other expenses and materials purchased in Guatemala.

Rotary District Community Grants are obtained to get back about half of that amount, $5,000 from an estimated $10,000 required in this case.

The mission is similar to other years, picking up where assistance provided to citizens left off and to make further contributions.

B次元官网网址淭his year, weB次元官网网址檙e building chicken coops for 20 families and supplying them with baby chicks and nutrition, chick feed to get them going,B次元官网网址� explained Andrews.

That supplies food for the families with the eggs and any surplus can be sold for income.

An ex-pat living in Guatemala, Thomas Zieffle, allows the Rotarians to use his shop for building the chicken coops.

Previous families who got started in 2021 with remote direction from Rotarians are doing well.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of those families still have those cages and raising chickens,B次元官网网址� Andrews indicated.

For the newcomers, B次元官网网址渨eB次元官网网址檒l have someone train them on how to raise the baby chicks, feed them and keep them warm,B次元官网网址� he added.

There wonB次元官网网址檛 be any house-building this time which has been a frequent part of Rotarian visits.

B次元官网网址淲e couldnB次元官网网址檛 find a family that qualified,B次元官网网址� Andrews pointed out. B次元官网网址淭hey had to own some land and be in need of a home.B次元官网网址�

Keep in mind when weB次元官网网址檙e taking about homes here, itB次元官网网址檚 not in the traditional sense of what we know.

Hardacker helped build a house on his other two trips. He pointed out itB次元官网网址檚 nothing more than a 10x12 structure, often for as many as six people in that limited space.

Other needs for the children being met by Rotary are for school supplies for up to 100 children in the elementary schools from Grades 1-6.

B次元官网网址淪chools donB次元官网网址檛 supply anything so the kidsB次元官网网址� families really canB次元官网网址檛 afford it,B次元官网网址� Andrews said.

B次元官网网址淭hen weB次元官网网址檙e doing the nutritional supplement for 50-60 kids over six months.B次元官网网址�

The supplement called Incaparina can be added to whatever families make for meals or even to milk.

B次元官网网址淚t really helps the kids develop physically and mentally,B次元官网网址� Andrews noted. B次元官网网址淎 lot of them are really undernourished.B次元官网网址�

Most homes are also just heated with a stove.

B次元官网网址淲e may buy some stoves for families that are still cooking on open fires,B次元官网网址� Andrews reinforced. B次元官网网址淚f we have extra funds, we put it to good use. They can use it to cook and heat their homes.B次元官网网址�

With Andrews embarking on his ninth trip and Hardacker his third, the experience never grows old and leaves a lasting impression.

B次元官网网址淚 appreciate the fact we have so much here that we take for granted, North Americans as a whole,B次元官网网址� said Hardacker. B次元官网网址淒own there, the people have basically nothing. The kids that run up to you barefoot are happy.

B次元官网网址淲hen you give them something, they appreciate it. ItB次元官网网址檚 a bit overwhelming, that part of it. I really do think itB次元官网网址檚 good time spent and you come back and appreciate what I have.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an eye-opener,B次元官网网址� added Andrews. B次元官网网址淵ou realize how much we have compared to what they have and, yet, they seem so happy with just the basics of life.

B次元官网网址淵ou appreciate so much more and see what percentage of the world lives like that. A lot.B次元官网网址�