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.