Friendship in Rotary often bears fruit that can change the world. When I was Rotary president-elect, I served on the Board of Directors alongside then Vice President Olayinka ‘Yinka’ Hakeem Babalola from Nigeria. My wife, Susanne, spent time with Yinka’s wife, Preba ‘Precy’ Babalola. Yinka and Precy support The Rotary Foundation, not only as Arch Klumph Society members, Benefactors and Major Donors but also as Rotary members who are deeply involved in Foundation projects.
Susanne and Precy’s friendship led to their clubs joining forces. For October, as Rotary marks Community Economic Development Month, I thought Precy Babalola could best capture the impact of their collaboration in her own words:
Obuama, Nigeria, was hit hard by Covid-19. Many families, especially women and young adults, were left without stable income or opportunity. The community urgently needed practical support and long-term solutions.
My club, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Passport, decided to respond. We partnered with the Rotary E-Club of Hamburg-Connect and our districts to launch a global grant project focused on empowering people with skills that restore hope and dignity.
Over 250 women and young adults were trained in farming fish, poultry, and snails as well as bead making. Local facilitators led hands-on workshops, equipping participants with skills to start enterprises.
Families are now generating income and mothers can send their children to school. Youths are earning, teaching others, and contributing to the local economy.
Women, once stuck, are now leading their own businesses, training others, and finding a new sense of purpose. The project continues to ripple, creating not just jobs but confident community leaders.
This is what change looks like when dedicated Rotarians work together with the support of The Rotary Foundation.
Community economic development is an area of powerful projects for many reasons. We have experts in our clubs who know how businesses can strengthen their local economy. Such projects can be adapted nearly anywhere and often show early signs of success.
Our Foundation, too, provides the expertise of an engaged professional staff and the Cadre of Technical Advisers.
What began as dinner conversation led to a life-changing global grant. Isn’t it remarkable that in Rotary, the friendships we make can create opportunities that transform lives for generations?
Holger Knaack
TRF Trustee Chair