Toledo Rotary 10282013.mp4Rachel Williams-Paki—"Literacy, Peace, and Polio"
Rachel shows Rotarians how effective their international projects can be, even in the most complicated locations. Rachel will talk about how literacy is the key to changing society and bringing peace and success with our PolioPlus campaign. Projects featured are on the frontier of polio’s last stand in northern Pakistan. Upon joining Ipswich Rotary 12 years ago, Rachel was informed that her role was to make the club more international. As International Chair she has committed the club to a number of Rotary International humanitarian projects. The first of which was funded by the donations, in lieu of presents, from her wedding to Peabody Rotarian Fred deNapoli. In July 2009, Rachel received the “Service Above Self Award,” Rotary’s highest honor for individual Rotarians. As District Literacy Resource Coordinator for District 7930 (Boston and vicinity), Rachel spearheaded educational assistance to schools, both locally and internationally. She believes that to keep crime down in our neighborhoods, we need good public schools. To have peace in the world, we need to help with literacy on a global basis. In November 2011, Rachel spoke at Rotary Day in NYC at the United Nations. In March of that year, she addressed the District 3272 Peace Conference in Pakistan as “Ambassador of Goodwill.” She continues to speak at club & district events and is now in the process of facilitating an Adopt-a-School Rotary International Global Grant for Rotary clubs here in the U.S. who will partner with clubs in Pakistan. Rachel goes to Pakistan annually to check on past, present, and future projects.
