Global Grant WASH Project in India

The Rotary Club of Merikoski has been initiating an international Global Grant service project (Global Grant GG2349345) aimed at improving the living conditions of girls in Machilipatnam, India. Under the theme “WASH Empowering Girls,” we are building 29 toilets in two middle schools and a girls’ home, Home of Hope. Additionally, we are providing drinking water filtration systems for these locations. The project, with a budget of approximately $40,000, is being implemented in cooperation with the local Rotary Club of Machilipatnam, as well as numerous other districts and clubs.

Collaboration with Kaakkuri School in Oulu

Since 2009, the Rotary Club of Merikoski has engaged in an important and long-term collaboration with the Kaakkuri school. The core of our project is promoting a sense of community: our goal is to prevent social exclusion and school bullying, and to improve class spirit. Our clear guiding principle is that there must not be a single bullied or marginalized student or teacher in the school. In practice, we support youth well-being by organizing action days and expert-led workshops (e.g., in music, sports, and arts), supporting visits to places like the Tietomaa science centre, and awarding scholarships. 

Youth Exchange

Our club’s youth exchange program is highly active, and its core mission is to promote connection among the nations of the world. Our club sends and hosts young people in international long-term, summer, and camp exchange programs. In addition to our sending and hosting activities, our youth exchange team also organizes our own international summer camps, such as those held in Oulu and Kalajoki.

Friendship Beyond Borders – Ukrainian Children’s Book Project

We are participating in a joint Rotary club charity project to support Ukrainian children. The project involves delivering to Finland a Ukrainian-language poetry book, “Friendship Beyond Borders,” written by Iryna Honcharenko, the incoming president of the RC Cherkasy-Synergy in Ukraine. This colorfully illustrated book was created with the hope of bringing joy and safety to children living in the midst of war. A reading moment in their native language brings comfort and a sense of community to the children. We support the initiative and can, for example, donate these books to local libraries, kindergartens, or schools, as well as organize reading sessions for the children.