Her name was Kathia, and she lived on her parent’s farm in Costa Rica. Kathia had two brothers and two sisters, so her dad had to work from dawn to dusk each day, trying to grow some coffee beans and provide food for the family.
The day after her 12th birthday, Kathia’s father told her that she must quit school and come and help him on the farm. Kathia was a bright student and begged her father to let her stay at school. “Just til I’m 16, daddy” she said. Although he was in desperate need of another pair of hands to work the farm, Kathia’s father loved all of his children. Not least; his first daughter, Kathia. He reluctantly agreed but told her “Only until you reach 16”. Kathia never forgot how much her father was giving to let her continue at school and she graduated top of her class. “Now you can come and work with me” her father said. “But daddy I have learnt so much and am ready to go to University” said Kathia. “Please let’s not waste this chance. I promise that I will pay you back with all my love and kisses”. Once again, Kathia’s dad relented. “Seems that it is God’s will” he said.
Kathia worked very hard and managed to graduate with a BS in Agriculture - after just 3 years. Kathia gave her dad lots of hugs and kisses and finally she joined him on the farm.
Over the next 4 years Kathia and her dad increased the yield on the farm by 10-fold! Kathia showed her dad how to set up a small corporation and they became partners in the business. Over the next 15 years the business bought the land from neighboring farms, and they then created a co-operative where all the farmers could share in the profits.
Today, Kathia and her dad are one of the largest bean suppliers to Starbucks coffee and dad is a rich man. What about the other siblings? Well dad thought it only fair that they all continue at school. Each of them graduated with a university degree and three of them are now working and living in the USA.
I never met Kathia, but her story was told to me by a Peace Corps Volunteer – Jasmin. I spent some time with Jasmin over dinner one evening and asked her what she felt Rotary can do to help to combat the enormous poverty that exists in the world. Jasmin paused and thought for a moment “Sending money helps” she said “but the best possible way is to educate the children. Go out and tell Kathia’s story”.
I have always believed in the power of education and literacy, and I knew immediately that Jasmin was right. The best way to tackle poverty is to educate the children in impoverished countries and regions of the world. Ever since my talk with Jasmin, I have tried to figure out what Rotary can do to have a real impact on the education of children in impoverished countries and regions of the world. Then last year I was judging a team of high schoolers who were taking part in the World Affairs Challenge (WAC). The team: from Rocky Mountain High, explained that some teachers in Angola had as little as three days of teacher training. The students project outlined how they would attempt to improve the quality of teacher training and thereby improve the quality of education for thousands of children in Angola.
The project hit me between the eyes. I thought; what if Kathia had lived in Angola and her teachers had not been well trained? She would never have been able to reach her potential and the farm would never have prospered. I knew immediately that Rotary could help educate children by first helping to ‘Train the Teachers’.
Over the past 12 months, a small team and I have continued to pursue and work on this idea. Then in Feb 2022, the Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch, ‘Rotary Teacher Training’ (RTT) project was launched. In partnership with Teach United (TU) and World Denver, our mission is to provide a quality level of teacher training in many parts of Central and South America.
Our Mission –
- We envision a world where teachers are empowered, effective, and have the strategies to connect, inspire, and improve student outcomes.
- To reach our goal, we aim to help schools, districts, and government systems of education shift toward a better model for teaching and learning.
- We aim to develop a Rotary Teacher Training Program.
Our financial goal – by year 4 we intend to raise a minimum $100,000 per year.
With the help of TU, World Denver and Rotary Clubs like ours, this program should eventually impact millions of children in impoverished regions of Central and South America.
Our RCHR team includes:
Project Leader – Phil Calderbank
Secretary – Peter Ulrich
Treasurer – Chip Kennedy
Grants - Betsy Alexander, Ron Lester,
Jerry Wilford
Fund Raising – Arthur Cone, Terre Cone,
Patricia Sznip, Marion Trummer, Zig Berzins, Bill Simmermon
Teacher Coaches – Claudia Caves, Jan
Selinfreund, Phil Calderbank
General Assistance – Connie Golas
We need YOUR help. Please join us to help raise funds, train to be a teacher coach, work with Betsy and her team on grant applications. Whatever you can do and wherever you can do it, WE NEED YOUR HELP!
For more information on the RTT project, TU or World Denver, please contact me.
Special thanks to Melinda Cain, (WAC) and Patricia Sznip RCHR, and the Highlands Ranch Rotary Foundation (HRRF), without who’s help I could never have got this idea off the ground!
Apr 29-30 - District Conference, Empowering Youth, The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace. Register through the 5450 website.
May 7 - Sunrise Recycle Event, 7am - 4pm. Volunteers needed, a sign-up sheet being circulated for 2-3 hour shifts.
Jun 4-8 - Rotary International Convention, Houston, TX. See email from Feb 1st to register.
Jun 15th - NCOA Fort Carson Golf Tournament
Membership Committee
Next meeting May 5th, 11am
International Service
Patricia is stepping down as chair, thank you for your dedication. Welcome Connie Golas and Marion as co-chairs.
Next meeting Apr 14th, 11am
Rotary Teacher Training
Next meeting Apr 7th, 10am via Zoom
Pediatric Mental Health Committee
Next meeting Apr 5th, 9am via Zoom
Public Relations Committee
Next meeting, Mar 15th, 4:15pm at Michelle McRae's home
Community Service
Next meeting, Mar 31st, 11 am
Connie Golas has scheduled the next meal at the Denver Ronald McDonald House for Mar 22nd.
Children's Hospital would like more blankets; plan your no-sew blanket get together soon.
Contact Connie Golas if interested in volunteering for Rotary Readers, 303-857-5666.
Pop-the-trunk is the 3rd Wed of the month from 8-11:30am. March's date is the 16th.
Contact ReStore, 970-799-4321, if you are interested in volunteering and register at habitatmetrodenver.org (click the ReStores tab).
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