The African Ruggedized Educational System (ARES) has proven to be such a success in bringing the world's education to children in remote, rural communities of Africa, where there is limited access to books, paper and writing materials, and intermittent power and no access to the internet, it has now arrived in The Philippines.
The first mission of its kind, to introduce what has been called, "Asian Ruggedized Educational System (ARES)", happened in February as a joint International Service Project of the Rotary Club of Ladner and the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise. Ladner Rotary President Bridget Jacob, on behalf of this club as a sponsor, participated in the team visit to The Philippines and reported on the overall mission in a club meeting on Zoom April 21, 2020.
Elena Agala, of the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise, was the driving force behind the mission to distribute three ARES systems to schools and, as she has done for many years, to provide dental services to those in need in various communities.
Bonnie Sutherland, of the Rotary Club of North Delta, who also a member of the recent ARES team mission to The Philippines, started working in Africa in 1992 with her late husband, Don, both teachers in Delta. In Kenya they saw the great need for teachers and students and began shipping containers of books and other materials to Africa. ARES eventually emerged from this international service in education.
The Rotary Clubs of Ladner and Richmond Sunrise each raised $5000 for the mission to distribute the three ARES systems, provide books, shelving and tables at four elementary schools and support the dental team visit. A Rotary District 5040 grant also provided funds, and Ladner Rotarian, Michael Cruise, made a personal contribution.
For more information on ARES, click here.