May is Youth Service Month in Rotary – a time to recognize, promote, and celebrate the powerful role young people play in creating positive change, both locally and globally. Rotary clubs around the world dedicate this month to showcasing their commitment to the next generation of leaders through programs, partnerships, and community engagement.
Balwyn Rotary believes in the power of youth to lead. Through initiatives like Rotaract, Interact, RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), and Rotary Youth Exchange, we empower young people to develop leadership skills, build lifelong friendships, and gain a global perspective.
Currently, 2.5 billion people globally don’t have access to improved sanitation facilities – meaning more people have access to mobile phones than to toilets. Along with health issues presented by lack of proper toilet facilities, many girls don’t attend school due to their periods if there is no toilet. The goal of this toilet project was to ensure that each one of the schools that we support has adequate toilets to ensure that everyone can go to school and stay healthy along the way. Lack of access to sanitation creates a host of health problems, making it easier for diseases to spread, infecting drinking water and contributing to undernourishment and poverty. A child dies every 20 seconds because of poor sanitation, according to the U.N. It can also impact future economic opportunities because lack of sanitation can negatively affect school attendance, especially for girls. In 2013, 1,000 children died every day due to diarrheal disease because of poor sanitation
At the most recent Board meeting in March, a grant was approved to support The School of St Jude in Tanzania for the 2025 school year. This grant represents a renewal of our sponsorship from 2024, during which the Club proudly supported two students. For 2025, the Club has committed $3,240, which covers sponsorship at half the rate of the 2024 commitment. This continued support helps provide life-changing educational opportunities for students who might not otherwise have access to quality schooling
Girls face immense challenges and are disproportionately affected by global crises such as climate change, conflict, and poverty.
Every girl deserves the opportunity to thrive. By breaking down the barriers that hold them back, Balwyn Rotary empowers girls in Australia and globally to reach their full potential and shape a brighter future. How is your club fostering opportunities and creating a world where girls can lead, innovate, and succeed?
