In June, members of the Vinings Cumberland Rotary Club embarked on a life-changing trip to Paraguay, where they were hosted for a week by the Rotary Club of Luque, Paraguay. During their stay, the visiting members were warmly welcomed into the homes of local Rotary families, fostering a deeper connection between the clubs. This visit marked a significant milestone in the ongoing Agua Fresca project, a collaboration between the two clubs to provide fresh, potable water to schools in Paraguay. The project, which began in 2018, has positively impacted countless students by providing access to safe, chilled drinking water.

The week-long journey included visits to historic sites in Asunción and a trip to Nueva Italia, where Vinings Cumberland members visited schools proposed for new water fountain installations. This expansion is part of a broader effort to scale the Agua Fresca project beyond Luque to other cities within Paraguay. The club is currently pursuing a Global Grant to fund additional fountains in Nueva Italia.

One of the highlights of the trip was the inauguration of the seventh water fountain at the school Escuela Básica #7573 in Luque on June 19th. This event underscored the importance of clean drinking water in a country where schools often lack air conditioning. Access to fresh water is crucial, especially during the hot summer months.

During the trip, Vinings Cumberland Rotarians also introduced local students to the Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP). This scholarship opportunity garnered attention among students, particularly a past Interact Club president and current Rotaract member from Luque, who learned about the GRSP while giving a tour of the city to the visiting Vinings Cumberland Rotarians. Inspired by the program, she decided to apply with the support of her family and the Rotary Club of Luque.

The delegation concluded their trip with a visit to the breathtaking Foz de Yguazu waterfalls at the Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina tri-border, followed by a farewell dinner hosted by the Rotary Club of Luque. This visit not only strengthened the bond between the two Rotary clubs but also reinforced the commitment to expand the Agua Fresca project and ensure long-term benefits for the schools in Paraguay.

In September, DG Gordon Owens visited our club the day the trip to Paraguay was presented as our club's program. Following the presentation, he remarked, “that is what Rotary is all about,” highlighting the essence of our mission.

Looking ahead, we are excited that in May of 2025, we plan to host the Paraguayan Rotary host families as they visit us here in Atlanta.

If your club would like to participate in the Global Grant or if you would like to join a future trip to Paraguay, please contact International Service Chair Brant Campbell at brantc@us.ibm.com.

Vinings Cumberland Rotary looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Rotary Luque, Paraguay, as the Agua Fresca project scales to new schools, bringing clean, refreshing water to even more children across the country.

To view the inauguration video at La Escuela Básica #7573, click here.