Jen and Pat Menard’s Volunteer Mission in Cambodia
This January, Jen Menard and her husband, Pat, are embarking on an extraordinary three-week journey to Cambodia to participate in a life-changing volunteer initiative. As part of the Rotary Wheels for Learning (RWFL) program, they will help provide bicycles to children in rural Cambodia—an act of generosity that opens the doors to education, safety, and opportunity. With eight full days of bike-building interspersed with cultural exploration, their trip promises to be both impactful and deeply fulfilling.
Why Bikes, and Why Cambodia?
In Cambodia, many rural children face major challenges just to receive an education. Schools are often located far from their homes, requiring long walks through fields, jungles, or unsafe terrain. These treks expose children to dangerous encounters with unexploded landmines, poisonous snakes, and other hazards. Without reliable transportation, attending school becomes an impossible dream for many.
That’s where the Rotary Wheels for Learning program steps in. Now in its 13th year, the initiative provides bicycles to impoverished children, offering them a safer, quicker way to reach their classrooms. The impact of these bicycles is profound: they transform daily struggles into opportunities for growth and learning, ultimately paving the way for brighter futures.
A Hands-On Mission
Jen and Pat’s trip will include eight days of hands-on bike-building, assembling bicycles purchased locally in Phnom Penh to support the Cambodian economy. Once assembled, these bikes will be transported to remote villages, where they will be distributed to children in need. Beyond the hard work, the couple looks forward to exploring Cambodia’s rich culture, including visits to ancient temples, elephant sanctuaries, and floating villages, all while savoring the incredible local cuisine.
The Rotary Club: A Force for Global Good
The Rotary Club, a global organization dedicated to humanitarian service, is the driving force behind RWFL. Through projects like this, Rotary empowers communities worldwide by addressing pressing needs such as education, health, and economic development. What makes the Rotary Club’s work so impactful is its focus on sustainability and collaboration. By partnering with local communities, they ensure that their initiatives deliver long-term benefits—and every dollar raised goes directly to the cause.
How You Can Help
This year, the RWFL team aims to distribute 644 bicycles, reaching a milestone of over 12,000 bicycles donated since the program’s inception. Each bicycle costs just $50 and comes equipped with essential features like a basket, bell, and light. For a child in rural Cambodia, this modest investment can mean the difference between illiteracy and a life filled with possibility.
You can make a difference today by donating to the Rotary Wheels for Learning program. Here’s how:
- Visit the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst donation page.
- Scroll to the bottom and select "Rotary Wheels for Learning" as your area of support.
- Enter your donation amount ($50 provides one bicycle).
- Fill in your donor information to receive a tax receipt for 2024.
- Complete your donation and make a lasting impact.
Follow the Journey
Want to see your generosity in action? Follow Jen, Pat, and the RWFL team on Facebook at Rotary Wheels for Learning (RWFL). They’ll be sharing updates, stories, and photos from the field, showcasing the children whose lives are forever changed by your kindness.
Join Us in Changing Lives
For Jen and Pat Menard, this journey to Cambodia is more than an adventure—it’s a mission to uplift communities and transform lives. By supporting their efforts and donating to RWFL, you can be part of this incredible movement, bringing hope and opportunity to the children of Cambodia.
Please donate today. Together, we can pedal toward a brighter future!
