Rotary International Project Approval

Posted by Michael Taylor on May 14, 2025

Brazil Autoclave Project Sponsored by E.L. Crossley Interact Club and 6 Rotary Clubs Approved by Rotary International

In October 2024, a Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil, Maria, who was spending her exchange year in Fonthill, Ontario, proposed a meaningful international partnership. She suggested that the Rotary Club of Fonthill collaborate with her home club in Santa Fé do Sul, Brazil, on a global grant project to provide a new autoclave unit for their local hospital.

The primary objective of the project was to acquire a new autoclave for sterilizing surgical instruments and equipment. This vital piece of medical equipment ensures the safety and continuity of surgical procedures, eliminating delays or cancellations—especially in urgent or emergency situations—due to equipment failure or insufficient sterilization capacity.

The hospital in Santa Fé do Sul performs approximately 150 surgeries each month. With a growing population, demand for surgical services has increased, making the acquisition of a new autoclave essential. The new unit would help prevent surgery cancellations and improve the hospital's ability to respond to patients' needs.

The Rotary Club of Fonthill quickly embraced the initiative and began consultations with other clubs in Rotary District 7090. Thanks to the generous combined efforts of the Rotary Clubs of Fonthill, St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Dundas Valley Sunrise, Niagara Falls, and Welland, a total of $8,400 was raised. This amount was matched dollar for dollar by Rotary International, leading to the successful funding of the global grant project.

Quietly but significantly, Maria also rallied support from the Rotary Interact Club at E.L. Crossley Secondary School. Inspired by her passion, the students hosted a movie day featuring The Lorax and organized a pop-up thrift store, collectively raising $350 towards the project.

This successful campaign is a testament to the power of global collaboration and the remarkable impact that can be achieved when communities come together to care for one another—across towns, countries, and continents.

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