An article from Aviv Palti and Jessica Palti, Melbourne Passport
An extraordinary international collaboration brought together the Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne, Rotary Clubs of Balwyn, Keilor East and Melbourne, supported by a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation through Rotary District 9800. In partnership with the Karen Women’s Organization (KWO), Days for Girls International, SolarBuddy, the Cambodia Rural Students Trust (CRST), and the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, this initiative demonstrated the power of Rotary connections across borders.
Listening Before Leading
The project began in October 2023, when Rotary Passport Melbourne’s PP Aviv travelled to Yangon, Myanmar to meet local leaders and understand community needs. Despite complex logistical and security challenges, a meaningful partnership emerged with Naw K’nyaw Paw, General Secretary of KWO. Meeting educators and community members revealed extraordinary resilience, dignity, and determination.
The project began in October 2023, when Rotary Passport Melbourne’s PP Aviv travelled to Yangon, Myanmar to meet local leaders and understand community needs. Despite complex logistical and security challenges, a meaningful partnership emerged with Naw K’nyaw Paw, General Secretary of KWO. Meeting educators and community members revealed extraordinary resilience, dignity, and determination.
From Insight to Action
Two key areas of sustainable impact were identified: reproductive health education through the Days for Girls curriculum, and solar study lights for students living without electricity. Materials were translated into Karen, and KWO educators completed certification.
Two key areas of sustainable impact were identified: reproductive health education through the Days for Girls curriculum, and solar study lights for students living without electricity. Materials were translated into Karen, and KWO educators completed certification.
In parallel:
- 3,700 reusable menstrual health kits were distributed
- 2,200 SolarBuddy lights were prepared
Northern Thailand became the implementation base.
Empowering Through Education
A team of 10 CRST student-educators, members of the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, travelled to Thailand to train KWO educators using a “train-the-trainer” model.
A team of 10 CRST student-educators, members of the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, travelled to Thailand to train KWO educators using a “train-the-trainer” model.
Within days, over 20 trainees were confidently delivering workshops, reaching more than 800 students across schools and teacher training colleges. Travel was challenging – by truck, boat, and on foot – but the spirit of the communities was unwavering.
Beyond the workshops, the focus was on encouraging students to remain in school and to see education as a pathway to leadership and responsibility within their communities.
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More Than a Project
As Doeb Chhay reflected: “When you meet the Karen people, living with so little, yet giving so much, you realise how much we take for granted.” This initiative went far beyond distributing resources. It restored dignity, empowered local educators, and built lasting bridges of trust and friendship.
As Doeb Chhay reflected: “When you meet the Karen people, living with so little, yet giving so much, you realise how much we take for granted.” This initiative went far beyond distributing resources. It restored dignity, empowered local educators, and built lasting bridges of trust and friendship.
A Shared Achievement
We extend our sincere thanks to all Rotary partners, The Rotary Foundation, and Rotary District 9800, along with KWO, Days for Girls International, SolarBuddy, Travel Beyond, CRST, and the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap.
We extend our sincere thanks to all Rotary partners, The Rotary Foundation, and Rotary District 9800, along with KWO, Days for Girls International, SolarBuddy, Travel Beyond, CRST, and the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap.
- When Rotary collaborates across borders, we deliver more than projects – we deliver dignity.
- When we invest in education, we invest in peace.
- And when we uplift others, we light the path to brighter futures for generations to come.
We invite you to experience this journey through this short video – https://youtu.be/HxnSzhWOgbk
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