The Rotary Club of Alpharetta just returned from a fantastic project trip to Pelotas, R.S. Brazil.  With support from the Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Atlanta Brazil, Stone Mountain and Roswell clubs, Alpharetta serves as the international partner for both an Education/Literacy Global Grant and a Down Syndrome training & service center building project.  Two clubs from District 7710 in Maine are also participating.

Carolyn and Peter Johnson, both District 7710 PDG’s, joined the group in Brazil. Carolyn is a Cadre Partner, and at one point had global RI oversight for all Education & Literacy projects. Her support and enthusiasm was key to getting global grant approval.  The sponsored organization, known as “APADPEL” (Association for Parents of Down Syndrome Pelotas) will be featured in the December edition of RI’s Education and Literacy newsletter. Fundraising and grants to date have raised more than $150,000. 

Both the city of Pelotas, R.S. and Rio Grande do Sul government officials have targeted this project for funding and replication across the state, surely a good sign for “sustainability!”  Training classes will be overseen by special education professionals and students from the University Federal of Pelotas, and coursework is credentialed by the University of Sao Paulo, considered the “Harvard of Brazil”. Thanks to the many Rotarians, individuals and businesses who have contributed to date to this remarkable project!  For more information, contact Bob Koncerak at RDAHKoncerak@yahoo.com.