RAGCED NEWS – August | Vol. 14, Issue 02
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Editor’s Message
It is always inspiring to look back at where a movement began and reflect on how far it has come. In this issue, we are pleased to share a personal reflection from RAGCED President Wally Gardiner, tracing the origins of RAGCED and reminding us why the fight against poverty remains so important. His words are a timely encouragement for all of us to stay engaged and continue supporting community-based economic development around the world.
— Gomathy T. M.
President’s Message
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice… If We Were Redundant?”
When our RAGCED News Editor, Gomathy, asked me to write about RAGCED’s vision and progress, I thought it would be easy. But as I reflected more deeply on what it means to serve as President of an organization like ours, I realized how unique our mission truly is.
Most organizations measure success by growth—more members, more clients, bigger profits. But at the Rotary Action Group for Community Economic Development (RAGCED), our goal is to become unnecessary.
The Yumbe Challenge is an inspiring example of how Rotary-led Community Economic Development (CED) initiatives are transforming local economies—one Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) at a time. Thanks to the generous support of the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne and three of its members, two Ugandan villages are already well on their way to establishing permanent sources of affordable credit for local entrepreneurs.
In an increasingly digital world, the path to sustainable progress for underserved regions lies not just in infrastructure or finance—but in empowering communities with knowledge, skills, and technology. This philosophy lies at the heart of Community Economic Development (CED), a grassroots approach that helps communities identify their challenges and collaboratively build solutions to improve economic well-being and quality of life.
It is with immense joy and gratitude that we share the latest chapter of RAGCED’s mission to transform lives through community economic development—this time, with a focus on restoring sight.
This project was led by Rtn. Gomathy T M, RAGCED – Secretary & Chair – Rotary Action Groups RID 3192 (RY 2024-25), under the RAGCED South Asia Chapter, in partnership with RAGCED, Rotary International District 3192, RAG4BP (Rotary Action Group for Blindness Prevention), and individual Rotarians and Rotary Clubs who believe in service that transforms.
In the summer of 2004, as a new Rotarian from the High River Club, I was introduced to Steve Rickard—a man with an immense passion for fighting poverty. Soon after, the District 5360 Microcredit Task Force was launched with the goal of organizing a programme among the District’s clubs to raise one million dollars to combat global poverty.
Initially, most club members responded with “Good luck, gentlemen!” We explained that this would be a ten-year programme, with a realistic target of one hundred thousand dollars per year. Today, that programme is in Phase 8 (still in Honduras), and instead of one million dollars, it has provided more than USD 2.8 million to the poor, through small loans (USD 25 to 100), training initiatives, and strong support from local Rotary Clubs. Mission accomplished — and much more to come.
Today, RAGCED (the Community Economic Development Rotary Action Group) has grown from a small group of five people in District 5360 to a global organisation of 400+ members in 34 countries, with new Chapters in Latin America, India, and soon in parts of Africa.
RAGCED LATAM — led by Juliana Corredor of Colombia (President), José Antonio Gonzales of Mexico, Amalia Calderón of Ecuador, and myself (as Vice-President) — is working very hard in the fight against poverty. To quote our President:
“Unfortunately, the number of implemented projects is insufficient, especially in Latin America. Between 2019 and 2023, in Latin America (Zones 25A and 23B), 759 GG projects were implemented, of which only 60 focused on CED, representing only 8% of the FTR resources allocated to combat poverty. This problem, often referred to as ‘the other pandemic’ in the region, is the root cause of numerous social problems, such as gender-based violence, malnutrition, inequality, and disease.”
As members of RAGCED and CADRE, it is our responsibility to promote, encourage, and support clubs and districts in implementing projects that focus on poverty reduction through Community and Economic Development.
Let us keep fighting the battle — and, according to the UN, we are winning. With each project, each Rotary Club committee, member, governor, or Club President who works together, poverty is reduced, and local economies are strengthened.
Voices from the Leadership