Posted by Peggy Strom on Apr 07, 2022
Anoop Mathur provided a "Member Minute" at the start of today's meeting.  He used this time to reflect on the nearly 50 years that has passed since he came to the U.S. from India.  He talked about the people who have had great influence and positive impact on him during this time and the importance of leaving one's mark in the world.  Our speaker was Robyn Coquyt from Africa Classroom Connection.  Africa Classroom Connection was founded in 2006 after a visit by Founder Henry Bromelkamp) (Rotarian from the Minneapolis Rotary Club), who returned from a visit to South Africa and wanted to make change. The organization exists to provide much needed funds to build classrooms in the Eshowe, Kwazulu-Natal area of the country.  To date, they have helped more than 37,000 kids by building 109 classrooms.  When apartheid was abolished in 1994, the South African government found itself saddled with decades worth of unmet needs. While education was a high priority, building classrooms in rural areas such as those near Eshowe, was not. Thus, the effects of apartheid are still apparent in the lack of infrastructure facilities.  By using a standard building plan each time and working with the local community members, ACC is able to build each school facility for only $13,000.  Given this, local governments are more than happy to allow ACC to build facilities, which are then turned over to the local governments to operate.