Rotary projects around the world in 2025 continue to show how local action can create global impact, with recent initiatives highlighting literacy, health, disease prevention and emotional wellness.

Celebrating culture through literacy

In the United States, acclaimed chef Vikas Khanna partnered with the newly chartered Rotary Club of South West Florida (District 6960) to create and distribute a children’s book, Festivals at the Bungalow. The club raised $20,000 from Rotarians in the U.S. and India, along with individual and business supporters, to print 2,000 copies for Rotary-led literacy initiatives at no cost to recipients. The book uses stories and recipes to take children on a journey across India, helping spark curiosity and foster cultural appreciation.

Getting communities moving in St. Vincent

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Rotary Club of St. Vincent organized a family-friendly “glow run” through Kingstown in partnership with a local fitness center. Around 500 participants carrying illuminated sticks filled the streets along a scenic route from the cruise ship terminal, supported by sponsoring businesses and medical facilities. The event advanced District 7030’s focus on healthy lifestyles, complemented by a virtual family workout and a nutrition webinar to encourage Vincentians to stay active.

Gala for peace and polio in South Africa

In Cape Town, a casual 2016 dinner among friends has evolved into an annual gala dedicated to raising funds to help end polio. At the 2024 edition, about 100 guests walked a red carpet, enjoyed a glamorous evening, and helped support Rotary’s polio eradication efforts as well as a Rotaractor trip to Uganda for a vaccination campaign. Branded “Africa Unite: A Gala for Peace and Polio,” the 2025 celebration aims to deepen young people’s passion for polio awareness.

Putting happiness on the agenda in Mauritius

The Rotary Club of Helvetia Happiness in Mauritius has made emotional wellness central to its mission from day one. Led previously by Syam V.D. Mudhoo, the club created a unique “director of happiness” role to champion initiatives such as mindfulness moments, spontaneous laughter yoga, and relaxed “FriYAY” socials with games and icebreakers. Members see nurturing their own good spirits as essential to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve.