Posted by Kyle Weir
The Rotary Minute is a quick one-minute story that features the work and impact of Rotary in our community and world!
As we restart our “Rotary Minutes” this Rotary year, we’re going to start by telling stories about the 7 areas of Focus for Rotary worldwide.  Since today’s speaker is about the environment, it only seems appropriate to start with the Environment.
 
In 1963, fellow Rotarian Salvador Rico’s sister contracted Polio from swimming in the Ameca River in Jalisco, Mexico near their family farm. She perished. Salvador’s mother would cry at night with Salvador on her lap because of the loss.
 
As an adult Salvador and his Rotary club started the Ameca River Project in 2013, followed by the Cleaning the Rivers of the World Project in her memory. “We faced many challenges especially since the Environment was not part of the areas of Rotary focus when we started…”
 
Clean, healthy water and air are the foundation for all life. Indeed, everything Rotary does or dreams of doing depends on the health and wellbeing of our planet. For that matter, everything good and wholesome that you and I dream of doing ultimately depends on the health of our planet.
 
In memory of all those who have perished because of polluted waters, air, or soil, let us celebrate Rotary International’s 7th Area of Focus: The Environment. 
 
In the hope for a planet where our work for:
  • Peace and conflict prevention/resolution,
  • Disease prevention and treatment,
  • Maternal & child health,
  • Clean water and sanitation,
  • Economic & community development, and
  • Basic education & literacy
are made possible because of pure air, clean water, and healthy soil, let us celebrate Rotary International’s 7th Area of Focus: The Environment.