HEART 2 HEART – OVERVIEW and GLOBAL GRANT PROJECTS

Updated March 24, 2024

The Heart 2 Heart partners are working on five global grant projects for 2021-22 and are also continuing the work on numerous non-global-grant projects through the 100 in 100 program.

Five Global Grant Projects

1. GG 2123430 Sanitation and hygiene for elementary schools – This project will provide sanitation renovations (sinks, toilets, urinals) and water tank systems in eight schools, serving 6452 student, 249 teachers & staff, and 4500 parents. The budget is $110,106. The Mexico host club is Arboledas. The US sponsor is District 5830 TX/OK. The grant has been approved and is near completion.

2. GG 2123677 Training for dependent elder care – This project will provide training for caregivers in dependent elder care family situations.  The budget is $36,604. The Mexico host club is Cuajimalpa. The US sponsor is District 6780 TN (club TBD). The grant has been approved and is near completion.

3. GG 2123650 Cleft lip surgery equipment and training – This project will provide equipment and training for monitoring treatment of cleft lip surgery with language therapies, early stimulation, psychological therapies, and dental treatment.  The budget is $38,205. The Mexico host club is Xalostoc.  The US sponsor is Murray KY (District 6710). The grant was approved on May 19, 2022 and is underway.

4. GG 2123647 Community growth lab equipment and training – This project will provide science laboratory equipment and training for the high school and for community development. The budget is $70,962. The Mexico host club is Vallescondido. The US sponsor is Decatur IL (District 6490). The grant has been approved and is near completion.

5. GG 2231086 John & Judy Germ Guadalajara Children’s Cancer Center Phase 4 – This project will provide additional equipment for the on-going project in Guadalajara to provide cancer treatment for children and conduct international research. This project will provide equipment to detect and treat brain cancer in children. The budget is $121,624. The Mexico host club is Guadalajara Colomos D4140. The US sponsor is District 6880 AL. The grant was approved on April 12, 2022 and is near completion.

The total budget for these five global grants is $377,501, with $159,751 coming from US partner DDF and $158,941 from the Rotary Foundation match.

The Heart 2 Heart partners are engaged with all seven Rotary districts in Mexico to provide opportunities for clubs to have service projects to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Mexico. Please see www.rizones30-31/news/100-in-100-program for more details.

Updated March 24, 2024

The Heart 2 Heart partners worked on six global grant projects for 2019-20 and on several other non-global-grant projects.

Six Global Grant Projects

1. Holtz- Beahon Kidney Transplant Program 2020 (GG 2091799) – We will continue our work with several partners to provide life- saving kidney transplants for adults and teens who are economically disadvantaged. This will be our eighth global grant with District 4170 for kidney transplants. The grant is budgeted for 110 kidney transplants at about $3,000 each plus financial support for patients who need medicine that is not provided by the government. Recent trends of hospital support and currency exchange suggest that we might supply about 170 transplants with these funds. The grant project budget is $396,000. The US sponsor is District 6820 MS. This grant project has been approved and is almost complete.

2. Hospital equipment and supplies phase 3 project CURE (GG 2091800) – This project will supply three containers of re-purposed medical equipment and supplies (provide through Project CURE) at several hospitals in District 4170. These public hospitals have a service base of several million people with little or no medical insurance coverage or economic means. The grant project budget is $78,000. The US sponsor is Imperial, NE District 5630. Additional funding will be added to the grant in 2020-21. This grant was canceled without warning by TRF.

3. Game, Story and Grow Workshops 2.0 (GG 2014388) –  This basic education and literacy project will provide workshops to improve basic Spanish and math skills to children and parents in underserved areas. This project will be the second phase of a successfully completed global grant project. The grant project budget is $117,949. The US sponsor is District 6510 IL. This grant project was approved and is almost complete.

4. Roger Sims Equipment for treatment of scoliosis in children and adolescents (GG 2098036) – The Florida Satelite club in District 4170 is working with specialists at the Lomas Verdes Hospital to provide free surgeries for severe cases of scoliosis in children. The grant project would supply 60 reusable orthopedic corsets to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation. The grant project budget is $32,560. The US sponsor is District 6540 IN. This grant project has been approved and completed.

5. High school science labs equipment (GG 2098037) – The Vallescondido club in District 4170 is working with a local high school that is renovating for needed labs for biology, chemistry and physics. This grant provides table and equipment for the labs and is a class project of the Zone 30-31 current DGN class. The grant project budget is $68,138. The US sponsor is Decatur, IL District 6490. This project was declined by TRF and was rewritten and resubmitted in 2021-22.

6. Grade school bathroom renovations (GG 2091804) – The Tlaquepaque Industrial club in District 4140 is working to upgrade bathroom and sanitation conditions and to provide school and community hygiene training in ten rural schools. The grant project budget is $34,030. US sponsor is Cullman AL District 6860. This project was canceled by TRF without warning.

The three global grants in process total $546,509 and the Rotary Foundation match comprises $266,764 of that total.

The Heart 2 Heart partners have been extremely active in projects that are not eligible for global grant funding. Projects that are being supported for funding include the following:

Support of wheelchair program partnership with World Access Project – used wheelchairs, Puerto Vallarta donation and training event, specialized wheelchairs for children, and support of a school for the disabled

Security barrier for pre-school in Tlaquapaque D4140

Positive peace project for Mexico

Medical mission trip to Guadalajara area D4140

San Juan Tilapa school community center support

Updated March 24, 2024

The Heart 2 Heart partners are working on five global grant projects for 2020-21 and are also working on numerous other non-global-grant projects through the 100 in 100 program.

Five Global Grant Projects

1. Rotaract Positive Peace Workshop in the US (GG 2118246)  – This project will provide training and practical application techniques in positive peace for 25 Rotaract clubs in the US, with first preference to Rotaract clubs in our two zones. The project will be led by PDG Jim Roxlo, a Positive Peace Activator. The budget is $75,383. The US host is District 6780 TN. The Mexico sponsor is District 4170. This grant project has been completed.

2. Project Angel (GG 2118641) – This project will provide a specialized rehabilitation program for young children so that they have a chance for a better life. The budget is $54,000. The US sponsor is District 6170 AR. This grant project has been completed.

3. Autism early detection treatment and research (GG 2091802) – In alliance with the Azul autism foundation of Mexico, the Mixcoac club in District 4170 would support a research and treatment program that can help in early detection of autism, which impacts an estimated 1.5 million families in Mexico. The concept is to model a successful pioneer program in Europe by using two specialists from Spain to help in training and research. The project would involve three hospitals over a three year period. During this period, research would be done while treating children with autism challenges. The budget is $89,135. The US sponsor is District 6820 MS. The grant application was denied by TRF in April 2021.

4. Knee prosthetics (GG 2012879) – This project will provide artificial limbs for impoverished people with disabilities.  The grant project budget is $60,454. The US sponsor is Greater Lake Charles LA (District 6200). This grant project has been completed.

5. COVID equipment project (GG 2014925) – This project will provide needed equipment in the Mexico City area public hospitals to help address the vast needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The project budget is $89,158. The US sponsor is District 6190 LA. This grant project has been completed.

These five submitted global grants totaled $368,130, and the proposed Rotary Foundation match comprised $172,940 of that total.

The Heart 2 Heart partners are engaged with all seven Rotary districts in Mexico to provide opportunities for clubs to have service projects to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Mexico. Please see www.rizones30-31/news/100-in-100-program for more details.

Updated March 24, 2024

The Heart 2 Heart partners are working toward ten global grant projects for 2017-18 and are also working on three other non-grant projects.

Twenty five of the twenty six districts in Zones 30-31 are partners in the program this year, as well as District 5630 Nebraska. The ten global grants total over $1,200,000. The US partners contributed just under $400,000 in DDF to these ten global grants, and The Rotary Foundation will provide over $500,000 in matching funds for these global grants.

Ten Global Grant Projects

1. GG 1860594 Holtz-Beahon Kidney Transplant Program 2018 ($192,000, Mexico host Cuajimalpa, US sponsor Carlinville IL D6460)

We will continue our work with several partners to provide kidney transplants for young adults and teens (primarily ages 15-49) who are economically disadvantaged. This will be our seventh global grant for kidney transplants. The grant is budgeted for 64 kidney transplants at about $3,000 each. However, recent trends of hospital support and currency exchange suggest that we may be able to supply about 80-100 transplants with these funds. The grant was approved on April 17, 2018, and is completed.

2. GG 1860595 Vickie Blade Pacemaker Program ($165,000, Mexico host San Angel, US sponsor Kingston TN D6780)

The pacemaker program would fund the purchase of pacemakers and provide for the implanting and upkeep of the pacemaker into the patient that has no funds to purchase such a life saving device. There are approximately 3500 people identified who are waiting for a pacemaker who have no money to pay. Most of these people will die. The grant would provide pacemakers for 600 patients. Two hospitals will provide all services at no charge, so that the project cost is for the pacemaker purchases, at an average cost of $290 each. This would be the second year for this program. The grant was approved but later canceled because it could not be completed per Mexico government restrictions.

3. GG 1754279 Education skills – basic Spanish and math ($88,026, Mexico host Vallescondido, US sponsor District 6170 AR)

This project will provide workshops and materials to improve basic education skills in an impoverished area. The host club has successfully implemented a similar project locally and now looks to expand and enhance the model and opportunities. The grant has been approved and is completed.

4. GG 1860815 Neurological center equipment and training ($46,000, Mexico host Bellavista Atizipan, US sponsor Grand Island NE District 5630)

This project provides specialized equipment and training at a center for children with severe neurological challenges and is a follow up project to a recent successful global grant at this center. The grant was approved and is completed.

5. GG 1860644 John & Judy Germ cleft lip and palate surgery center equipment ($205,023, Mexico host Vallejo, US sponsor District 6820 MS)

The Vallejo club in Mexico has obtained space and staffing for a new cleft lip and palate surgery services in the Mexico City metro area. The grant project would supply necessary equipment for the center. The grant was approved and is completed.

6. GG 1868708 low cost shelters for earthquake victims in rural area ($150,000, Mexico host Las Torres Satelite, US sponsor Noblesville IN D6560)

The project would provide low cost shelters for 25 families whose homes were destroyed in the September 2018 earthquake. This project is a high priority for D4170 Governor Pio and is using a Rotary Foundation pilot project grant. The grant was approved and completed.

7. GG number TBD Positive Peace Conference in Mexico ($85,000, Mexico host District 4170, US sponsor Chattanooga Hamilton Place TN D6780)

Rotary International and the Institute for Economics and Peace are working together in peace efforts through the concept of Positive Peace. Pilot projects included conferences in Uganda and Mexico. This new grant will be for a follow up conference in Mexico. Young professionals from all over the country are invited to learn and share about the Positive peace concept and to eventually develop plans and projects to address some of the challenges.

8. GG 1860416 John & Judy Germ children’s cancer center equipment  in District 4140 Guadalajara ($245,000, Mexico host Guadalajara Colomos, US sponsor District 6820 MS)

The Hospital Civil de Guadalajara provides services for needy children with severe cancer challenges. Their program is similar to the one at St. Jude’s in Memphis, and the two hospitals actually work together on children’s cases and on groundbreaking research. The grant project funds equipment that helps both areas. The host club will provide $95,000 cash and the host district will provide $5,000 DDF, so they are clearly very invested in the success of this project. In addition to these grant funds, a Mexico agency has pledged matching funds equivalent to the grant for additional equipment. The grant was approved in December 2017 and is completed.

9. GG 186700 Ecatepec adult literacy training ($35,000, Mexico host Ecatepec, US sponsor District 6150 AR)

This grant will provide equipment and training in a community center so that adults who did not graduate from high school will get additional education in order to get their certificate and to inprove their computer skills to enable their employment opportunities. The grant should be submitted by late April 2018.

10. GG 1866194 Firewood ovens for earthquake victims in Oaxaca ($32,500, Mexico host Pase de la Reforma, US sponsor Kentland IN D6540)

This project will provide new, earthquake resistant firewood ovens for 100 families in a rural community in the Oaxaca state. These ovens provide baked goods for the families as well as other income to help support the families. The grant was approved but later canceled, due to lack of support from the clubs in Oaxaca.

Other Projects (not global grants)

The Heart 2 Heart partners are working on three additional projects for 2017-18 that are not eligible for global grant funding.

1. Wheelchairs ($35,500)

The Heart 2 Heart partners are working on a continuing basis with the Toluca Suroeste club and World Access Project to purchase one container of 200 wheelchairs for $30,000 for disabled children and adults with severe economic hardships. The refurbished wheelchairs are not just the same kind in different sizes. They are multiple varieties, designed to meet a wide variety of individual needs. The H2H partners are also working to sponsor 20 specialized wheelchairs at $275 each. The World Access Project program not only offers wheelchairs, it offers crutches and other devices to help mobility.

2. Naucalpan community center computers ($10,000)

The Las Torres Satelite club has worked with the municipality of Naucalpan and the INEA (National Institute for Adult Education) to establish a community center for educating and training adults who have not completed their high school education and are functionally illiterate. The Maryville TN D6780 club provided the computers and peripherals to help complete the center. The project purchases are complete, and the educational center is fully functional.

3. District 4140 school renovations ($10,000)

Clubs and individuals in District 6080 MO, District 6780 TN, and one club in California are working with our new D4140 partners in Tlaquepaque to help with some renovations (painting and roof repair) in five local grade schools. The project is fully funded and should be completed by May 2018.

Updated February 21, 2023

The Heart 2 Heart partners are working on seven global grant projects for 2018-19 and have completed several other non-global-grant projects.

Seven Global Grant Projects

1. GG 1861159 Hospital equipment and supplies – The project will provide three containers of re-purposed medical equipment and supplies (provided through Project CURE) at four hospitals in District 4170. These public hospitals have a service base of several million people with little or no medical insurance coverage or economic means. Budget is $78,000. US sponsors is Livingston TN D6780. This grant project had to be revised to change from mixed use containers (equipment and supplies) to medical beds, due to importation complications. Two containers have now been delivered, with the third containers delivered in late 2022. This project should be completed soon.

2. GG 1979842 Ken Thompson hospital equipment and supplies – The project will provide three containers of re-purposed medical equipment and supplies (provided through Project CURE) at four hospitals in District 4170. These four public hospitals have a service base of several million people with little or no medical insurance coverage or economic means. This project is named in honor of District 6840 Governor Ken Thompson, who passed away suddenly in October 2018. Budget is $78,000. US sponsor is Covington LA D6840. This grant project has also been modified, now to include up to six half-containers of Stryker Emergency Relief Beds (ERBs) that will be matched by up to six-half containers from a Mexico non-profit partner. This grant project should be completed by summer 2023.

3. GG 1860645 WASH challenge pilot project – District 4170 wishes to establish a consistent project that brings in water and sanitation in schools, along with water and hygiene education and anti-bullying training (similar to programs being done in Central America). Budget is $37,070 for a handful of schools as a pilot. US sponsor is District 6510 IL. This grant project in well under way.

4. GG 1977889 John & Judy Germ Guadalajara Children’s Cancer Center Equipment Phase 2 – The Hospital Civil de Guadalajara purchased specialized equipment to detect, analyze, and help treat eye cancer in infants.  The budget was $56,000. US sponsor is Springfield Sunrise MO D6080. This Phase 2 project has been approved and completed.

5. GG 1979841 John & Judy Germ Guadalajara Children’s Cancer Center Equipment Phase 3 – The Hospital Civil de Guadalajara is following up on last year’s successful project with another major project for equipment that helps treat children’s cancer cases and assists with groundbreaking international research.  The budget is $325,500. The US sponsor is District 6820 MS. This Phase 3 project has been approved and completed.

6. GG 1876091 Low Cost Shelters Phase 2 – This project will add 25 homes in Joquicingo, where dozens of homes were destroyed in the Sept 2017 earthquake. This project is in conjunction with a new pilot program developed by TRF for low cost shelters, where the maximum number of grants in one community is two and the maximum number of shelters is 50. Estimated budget is $150,000. US sponsor is District 6690 OH. This grant project has been approved and is under way.

7. GG 1872597 Adult ed literacy training – The project will provide equipment, supplies and training at a community center in Ecatepec so that adults can obtain high school equivalency and computer skills for better life and employment opportunities. Budget is $36,290. US sponsor is District 6150 AR. The grant has been approved and is under way.

These seven global grants total $760,860, and The Rotary Foundation match comprises $328,780 of that total.

The Heart 2 Heart partners have been extremely active in projects that are not eligible for global grant funding. Projects that are funded and that have or will be completed include the following:

Support for a grade school drug and alcohol abuse prevention workshop program – $6,000

Addition of a community center space at San Jaun Tilapa grade school near Toluca (major sponsorship by Fairhope AL D6880) – $51,500

Chemistry lab equipment and band equipment at Toluca area high school – $10,000

Equipment for school for mentally and physically challenged in Toluca area – $10,000

Support of wheelchair program partnership with World Access Project – $10,000+

Donations to projects by Heart 2 Heart visiting team in November  2018 – support for kidney transplant recipients, support for Acolman hospital near Texcoco, support for earthquake survivors in Joquincingo – $5,200+

District 4140 school and clinic renovation projects – $10,000+

How a club can participate in Heart 2 Heart

Heart 2 Heart welcomes all clubs from any and all districts to be a partner in Heart 2 Heart. All the club has to do is to financially participate, at any level. We recommend the following minimum contribution:

$100 or more for a global grant project and

$150 or more for a non-global grant project

Clubs who contribute $500 or more for Heart 2 Heart will become members of the “Mexico Century Club”. As we near the 100 year anniversary of Rotary in Mexico in April 2021, the Heart 2 Heart partners have created the Mexico Century Club as a way to get new partner clubs interested in Mexico service in Districts 4170 and 4140, to ask existing and new partner clubs to help us for projects that do not fit into grants and are too big for most clubs to consider on their own, and to help get all clubs into global grants. The plan is to gather support from at least 150 clubs to contribute $500 (or more) annually for projects and global grants.

The Heart 2 Heart partners have started seven global grant projects and has completed three non-grant projects for 2014-15. 16 of the 26 districts in Zones 30-31 have partnered this year to make these global grants a reality.

RELATIONSHIP WITH FURMEX

During 2014-15, Heart 2 Heart established a partnership with FURMEX. FURMEX is a not-for-profit organization that works with other non-profits and charities and Rotary clubs in Mexico to do humanitarian work. Rotarians in Mexico comprise most of the organization’s leadership. Since many of the smaller clubs in Mexico do not have club accounts, it is more financially to work with a formal and experienced organization to do projects. FURMEX charges a 3% fee for each project (3% of the total project budget) but also can contribute up to 25,000 pesos (about $1,600 USD in current conversion). Therefore, Heart 2 Heart gets accountability and another financial partner, and the Mexico clubs have more incentive to consider smaller projects.

Seven Global Grant Projects

1. Kidney transplants for young adults and teens. We work with several partners to provide kidney transplants for young adults and teens ages 15-29 who are economically disadvantaged. This grant project has been approved, and the project started in late May 2015.

2. Equipment for a rural school. We have partnered with a North Carolina district to provide equipment and training for a remote mountain area school with an indigenous population. The government is providing a new structure that will really help, and that construction is well underway. This project was approved in April 2015 and should be completed by August 2015.

3. Mediation training. This is a peace and conflict resolution project that will provide training for qualified counselors and legal assistants to help provide service for economically disadvantaged families. The courts cannot handle all the potential conflicts between family members and between neighbors, and most folks cannot afford legal help. This grant project was recently approved and should begin in July or August 2015.

4. Solid Rain. This project is a pilot program to supply poor families in arid areas with an opportunity to grow vegetables year round for themselves and to sell for supplemental income. The technology involves capturing water in globules (similar to that used in florist shops and even diapers) and mixing with soil in garden plots so that the plants can take the water as needed. The concept has been tried in that area successfully with small fields. Despite continuing efforts to make this happen, once again the grant has not been filed. While in Mexico, we established a final deadline date that passed. Because we had funding already secured, we needed another project.

On our radar has been a large water project in conjunction with WASRAG and CONAGUA, the Mexico water authority, to provide water and sanitation to four rural communities near Oaxaca. We have now reallocated our funds for solid rain to this project. This grant project should be submitted soon.

Mexico D4170 will host the project as a district project. Lafayette, North Carolina is the US sponsor club. The total grant is for $200,000, and the total project budget is $1,000,000. With the Mexican government supplying 80% of the funding, the “bang for the buck” for Rotary is extremely good. Our contribution supports our friends in D4170, makes new friends in D4195 and in North Carolina and California, helps D4170 with their DDF for other Heart 2 Heart projects, and gets us involved with an important major project with reduced risk and responsibilities.

5. Cleft lip and palate training and surgeries. The project will provide additional training and increased surgeries for cleft lip and palate challenges in a poor area about three hours from Mexico City. This grant project has been submitted and reviewed, and we expect approval after Mexico answers some follow up questions.

6. Autism center equipment and training. The project will expand equipment and training for a hospital that serves as the lead training center for autism professionals for the entire country. Training opportunities will be increased and many more children will be served. This grant project was submitted on June 30, 2015.

7. Lindavista school (project in memory of D6080 DG Michael Beahon). The Lindavista club has been working with a grade 1-6 school in recent years. The club worked with the community to get the local government to add new library and classroom space to the terribly overcrowded school. Now equipment and other needs have arisen. This grant project would look at a “whole school” approach, where we would address needs to fill the new library and computer room and classroom, to put new chairs in some classrooms, to replace worn and costly white boards with new chalkboards, and to provide materials for “readers corners” (now required by the government but not funded). Additionally, the project will provide educational workshops to address school bullying and ways to improve citizenship and tolerance. Funds for extracurricular equipment such as music are part of the workshop planning. This grant project has been submitted and reviewed, and we expect approval after Mexico’s recent answers to TRF questions are further reviewed.

Three Non-Global Grant Projects (all completed)

1. Computer training for a girls shelter (year one of two)
2. Solar panels to heat water for an orphanage
3. Water pumps for a remote mountainous area (serves 10 communities that now each get water one day out of ten)

The U.S. Heart 2 Heart partners pursued two new Global Grants, one for kidney transplants and one for a water tank system project with a new host Mexico club (Tlalpan Golf) for 2012-13. District 6060 (Missouri) was a new U.S. partner and sponsored both projects.

The global grant proposal for the kidney transplant project was for 28 transplants, with a total Global Grant of $103,600 and a total project cost of $257,600. There are eight U.S. districts (6060, 6780, 6110, 6880, 6560, 6200, 6040, and 5890) currently partnering on this project. The Rotary Club of Cuajimalpa is the host club in Mexico D4170. The Rotary Club of St. Louis, Missouri is the host club in U.S. District 6060. The grant proposal was accepted by The Rotary Foundation in late November 2012 as Global Grant 26222. The grant application was approved on April 5, 2013. The project started in early June 2013 and was completed in March 2014. Over 40 kidney transplants were performed with this grant.

The current proposal for the water tank project is for 31 water tank systems, with the total Global Grant and project cost of $108,500. There are nine US districts (6060, 6780, 6110, 6450, 6460, 6560, 6040, 6510, and 6200) currently partnering on this project. The Rotary Club of Tlalpan Golf is the host club in Mexico District 4170. The Rotary Club of High Ridge, Missouri is the host club in U.S. District 6060.The global grant proposal 1416319 has been submitted and is under review by The Rotary Foundation.

2012-13 GIRLS SHELTER PROJECT

The Parkville, MO and Maryville-Alcoa, TN clubs worked with the Tlalpan Golf, MX club to provide seven computers, software, and computer stations at the Fundacion Clara Moreno y Miramon girls shelter in Mexico City. Parkville Rotarian Michael Hobbs and his wife Lucile generously donated the funds for the purchase of the computers and all the necessary software and peripherals. The Maryville-Alcoa club sponsored the computer stations and printers.

The complications from the Future Vision Pilot procedures and guidelines led to a decision by the current U.S. district partners to limit the number of Global Grant projects that were pursued in 2011-12 to just two projects. However, the partners intended to increase financial support of the projects that were chosen and to encourage new partners.

The kidney transplant project was resubmitted (following its initial rejection in 2010-11) and approved as Global Grant 25280 in Fall 2011. District 6650 (Indiana) was the U.S. sponsor district. The project was written to provide for 21 transplants, the first of which was done in December 2011. The total Global Grant is for $88,200, and the total project cost is $193,200. Due to dollar conversions and increased contributions from patients’ families, 39 transplants were conducted with the grant, which was completed on January 23, 2013. Three U.S. districts (6560, 6780, and 6200) partnered on this project. The Rotary Club of Cuajimapla was the host club in Mexico District 4170. The Rotary Club of Carmel, Indiana was the host club in U.S. District 6560.

The water tank system project grant proposal, which will supply 60 water tank systems, was submitted on June 27, 2012. District 6200 (Louisiana) is the U.S. sponsor district. The grant proposal was numbered by The Rotary Foundation as Global Grant 26072 on October 16, 2012 but was not developed. The grant proposal has been re-numbered as Global Grant 1414613 and was approved in April 2015. The total Global Grant and project cost will be $210,000. Five U.S. districts (6200, 6560, 6780, 6040, and 6760) partnered on this project. The Rotary Club of Ecatepec is the host club in Mexico District 4170. The Rotary Club of Greater St. Charles, Louisiana is the host club in U.S. District 6200.

The Future Vision Pilot program began in 2010-11, and its impact on Heart 2 Heart was both immediate and ongoing. Mexico District 4170 was selected as a Future Vision Pilot district, but most U.S. partner districts were not selected as pilot districts. This forced all the districts to work together through other Future Vision Pilot districts in order to complete Rotary Foundation matching grant projects, using the new Global Grant procedures and guidelines. District 6560 (Indiana) and District 6200 (Louisiana) served as the U.S. sponsor districts on five proposed new Global Grant projects. The new Global Grant applications proved to be a challenge for our partners to complete to the satisfaction of the Rotary Foundation, and only one project was approved during the year.

The water tank system project for schools in the Ecatepec area was approved by the Rotary Foundation as Global Grant 25211. The project provides a water tank, two filtering systems, and three water dispensers to 40 schools. Mexico has nine partner clubs providing support for the project. The total Global Grant and project cost was $139,840. The project is complete. Seven U.S. districts (6560, 6780, 6040, 6460, 6510, 6200, and 6760) partnered on this project. The Rotary Club of Ecatepec was the host club in Mexico District 4170. The Rotary Club of Danville, Indiana was the host club in U.S. District 6560.

The Holtz-Beahon Kidney Transplant Program is a cooperative effort between three private hospitals in Mexico, Mexico Rotary District 4170, U.S. Rotarians and other partners, the Ayudar Foundation of Mexico, and The Rotary Foundation through global grants to provide life-saving kidney transplants for young women and men, generally aged 15-49. Grant program recipients all have a high financial need. The program goal is to “save a life a week” by funding at least 52 kidney transplants per year.

Kidney (renal) failure is a more prevalent problem in Mexico than in any other country of the western hemisphere, due primarily to genetics and diabetes. Poor water and sanitation, poor diets, and lack of education in Mexican society all contribute heavily to the problem. Mexico has the world’s largest percentage of young children who are obese. As a result of all these factors, a relatively high number of children and young adults have kidney problems and need transplants. There are literally thousands waiting for donors and/or financial support, and the number of cases is expected to skyrocket as the population continues to grow. The Mexican public hospitals can provide kidney transplants through some of its facilities, but usually that process will take one to five years or more, which in most cases is too long to wait for the patients that we serve.

The transplants are done in three hospitals (one in Mexico City and two in cities less than 100 miles away) that are among the best kidney transplant facilities in Latin America. The doctors are absolutely top notch. These are the doctors and hospitals that the wealthy use, and yet these medical professionals are willing and anxious to also serve people in need.

The financial numbers are truly amazing. With great support from the lead kidney doctors (Dr. Mario Cardona and Dr, Guillermo Mondragon), the hospital partners discount their fees drastically and negotiate with families and the Ayudar Foundation in Mexico so that the targeted average price to Rotary is $3,500 per transplant (based on current exchange rate of approximately 20:1).

The doctors are willing to do two transplants per week under the program if it could be funded and if the right qualified patients could be found. Many potential recipients do not follow through for a variety of reasons, often related to either a lack of a viable and/or willing donor or an unwillingness to demonstrate any attempt at a minimal financial commitment. Organ donation is a relatively new concept in Mexico, so almost every kidney transplant requires a living donor, usually a close relative.

Members of the Cuajimalpa club work tirelessly with the hospitals to screen potential recipients and donors, as well as to provide logistical support for the families and the hospitals for paperwork follow up and transportation, both before and after surgery. The Mexico government does provide medications for all patients after surgery.

The kidney transplant program is named after Mexican Rotarian and program founder Ignacio (“Nacho”) Holtz (who passed away in October 2022) and District 6080 PDG Mike Beahon (who passed away from kidney-related illness in 2014). The program name recognizes the connections between Mexico and the U.S. that has come together by the inspiring spirit and Rotary service of Ignacio Holtz and Mike Beahon.

District 6560 (Indiana) completed several TRF humanitarian matching grants in the years preceding the Future Vision Pilot program. These grant projects included kidney transplants, several water tank systems, several used ambulances and fire trucks, and school computers. Districts 6460 and 6510 (Illinois) partnered with them on some of these projects. D6190 (Louisiana) also sponsored one new ambulance. Rotarian Claude Johnson (Crawfordsville, Indiana) worked tirelessly for several years to help provide used ambulances and fire trucks, some funded through matching grants and some funded locally.

During 2008-2010, District 6780 (Tennessee) partnered with four different U.S. districts (6560, 6040, 6460, and 6510) to complete TRF humanitarian matching grant projects for infant radiant cradles and craniotomy equipment for a hospital, kidney transplants, a new ambulance, used fire trucks, and water tank systems.