International Service Committee

Carmen tending to her pigs in Peru
Carmen, a recipient of a micro-loan in Peru, tends to the pigs she raises in her business.

Creating Lasting Change Beyond Borders

The work of Rotary doesn’t stop at borders. Each project supported by RCWO’s International Service Committee (ISC) represents our belief that compassion is universal and service is without boundaries. By investing in education, health, and opportunity around the world, we’re helping to build a more peaceful, equitable, and connected global community, one project at a time.

Rotary’s vision of “Service Above Self” is global in scope but deeply human in scale. Every project we support aims to empower individuals, build capacity, and create pathways toward a more just and hopeful world.

Our Mission

Our mission is to identify opportunities where our club’s expertise and compassion can make the greatest difference, and to ensure that every initiative reflects Rotary’s values of integrity, accountability, and sustainability.

The International Service Committee guides and supports all RCWO projects with an international or humanitarian focus. Working in collaboration with Rotary partners, NGOs, and local leaders abroad, we align our efforts with Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus: from basic education and literacy to clean water, maternal health, and peacebuilding.

Rotary Areas of Focus
Generator provided to a school in Ukraine
A generator provided to a school in Ukraine through Rotary partnerships.

Featured Programs & Initiatives

PolioPlus & Global Health

RCWO continues its commitment to Rotary International’s flagship cause: the eradication of polio worldwide. Through annual fundraising and advocacy, we contribute to vaccine access, disease surveillance, and community health resilience in partnership with the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Aid

When crisis strikes, from earthquakes to refugee displacement, RCWO’s International Service Committee mobilizes quickly to provide emergency support through trusted Rotary networks, ensuring help reaches those most in need.

The Rotary Club of West Ottawa proudly supports ShelterBox, a Rotary-founded humanitarian organization that provides emergency shelter and essential supplies to families displaced by disaster and conflict. Through this partnership, we help deliver life-saving aid and hope to communities in crisis around the world.

Rotary Foundation Grants & Global Partnerships

The ISC helps identify and coordinate Rotary District and Global Grants, enabling long-term international development and humanitarian aid. From literacy programs to infrastructure support, these partnerships amplify the reach of our club’s service beyond Canada’s borders.

Granting Guidelines and Funding Application Form

 

Children in Lebanon showing their new supplies
Children in Lebanon showing their new supplies.

Featured International Projects

Cuba: Canada Cuba Care Connection

  • Delivering essential medical supplies to healthcare providers through Rotary-supported partnerships and sustained volunteer effort.

Kenya: Bea Osome Clean Water Project

  • Bringing clean, reliable water to school communities while supporting health, sanitation, and opportunity for women and girls.

Lebanon: Rebuilding Care and Supporting Learning

  • Supporting healthcare, education, and families through Rotary-led partnerships focused on recovery and resilience.

Peru: Women Entrepreneurs and Community Supports

  • Strengthening family stability and local economic resilience through funding for micro-enterprises and community kitchens.

Tanzania: Bright Future School

  • Increasing access to education in Moshi through classrooms, transportation, and scholarships for students facing financial barriers.

Uganda: EmpowerEd Refugee Children

  • Supporting refugee students with education, meals, and supplies to help them continue learning in the face of displacement.

Ukraine: Blankets for Ukraine

  • Providing direct humanitarian support through Rotary partnerships, including essential winter supplies for families affected by conflict.

 

Published on: March 22, 2026
Updated on: March 22, 2026