Rotary Provides International Covid-19 Disaster Funds to Ecuador

NEWS RELEASE

CUPERTINO, Calif. – May 5 , 2020— The Rotary Club of Cupertino (www.cupertinorotary.org) continues its efforts in support of those vulnerable during the Covid-19 pademic and has taken steps to provide International Disaster Relief funds to public hospitals in Ecuador, South America in partnership with local Rotary clubs in Ecuador, South America.

The Rotary Club of Tomebamba, Cuenca Ecuador, Rotary Club in Edmonton Canada-The Edmonton Riverview, and Rotary International.

Together, in under two weeks, they have raised over $46,000 towards disaster relief and have initiated deliveries of critically needed equipment and supplies.

As part of the humanitarian project “A suit for your Hero” the Rotary clubs in the province of Cuenca, Yanucay, Gualaceco and Tomebamba and with the support of Edmonton Riverview and Chicago New Worlds, Rotary Club of Cupertino, USA made the second installment of personal protection inputs for the medical staff of the following institutions:

• Jose Carrasco Arteaga Hospital
• Vincente Corral Moscoso Hospital
• Municipal Hospital for Women and children
• Ecuadorian Red Cross
• Health Center in Zone 6-15, Cuenca
• -Health Centers Turi, Machala

Delivery included:

• Personal Protective Equipment PPE (including
• 600 reusable anti-fluid suits
• 300 disposable robes
• 500 facial masks
• medical equipment incl.
• vital signal monitors.

“As a poorer country, Ecuador is straining to care for its population, so our club together with The local Rotary Club of Tomebamba and Rotary Club of Cuenca, Ecuador, will arrange for the purchase and delivery of equipment and supplies,” said Padma Chari, president, Rotary Club of Cupertino.

“The first deliveries are underway and all should be delivered within a few weeks as time is of the essense since the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted Ecuador particularly hard. Ecuador is experiencing high infection rates, hospitalizations and death rate is high,” she added.

BACKGROUND ON THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ECUADOR

Why this project?

Cupertino Rotary and the Tomebamba Rotary Club recently completed funding and implementing a variety of services for a women’s shelter in Cuenca Ecuador.

The Covid-19 crises pandemic hit Ecuador very hard. The Rotary Club of Tomebamba club reached out to us for assistance.

Cupertino Rotarians have many ties to Ecuador, as Cupertino Rotarian Irmgard Lafrentz youth counselor for the club in 2016, took the Rotarian mission to a higher level and developed a good relationship with an Exchange student, Carolina Tamariz and her family. The Tamariz family hosted 10 Rotary exchange students over the years and several family members are Rotarians in the Rotary Club of Tomebamba.

Ms. Lafrentz travelled to Ecuador in 2016 and returned to the United States in 2019 after working succesfully on a Rotary International /Cupertino Rotary global grant for a much needed shelter for abused women and children. The grant is currently in implementation phase.

ABOUT THE CUPERTINO ROTARY CLUB

Chartered in 1955, the Cupertino Rotary represents a broad cross section of local residents, businesses, and professions. Members of the club are involved in a wide array of leadership and volunteer activities. Together, we make a difference in both our local community and in communities around the world.

As the club usually meets every Wednesday at Noon for a lunch program and guest speaker at Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino, due to the Covid-19 Shelter in Place, the club is currently meeting virtually each week. To learn more, visit the website at( www.cupertinorotary.org)

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Contact:

Marguerite Padovani

Padovani Public Relations for

Rotary Club of Cupertino

mpadpr@gmail.com