Page 6 - 2026年4月號

Count on preparation, not luck

N ot long ago, in a small health center in resources are limited, and the need is urgent. It is the
commitment to prepare people before a crisis arrives
the village of Aaye in southwest Nigeria,
Count on preparation, not luck and to stand with communities when it does.
a woman arrived in labor carrying twins.
Maternal and child health is not an abstract goal.
The facility was short-staffed. The nurse
N She had participated in Together for Healthy Fami- It is deeply personal. It is a mother who survives
ot long ago, in a small health center in
midwife in charge was not present. resources are limited, and the need is urgent. It is the
childbirth. It is a newborn who takes a first breath.
the village of Aaye in southwest Nigeria,
A community health worker stepped forward. commitment to prepare people before a crisis arrives
It is a family that remains whole because someone
and to stand with communities when it does.
a woman arrived in labor carrying twins.
The facility was short-staffed. The nurse
lies in Nigeria, a Rotary Foundation Programs of Maternal and child health is not an abstract goal.
Scale initiative. And though she was not formally was trained, ready, and cared enough to act. Rotary
understands that service means investing in people
midwife in charge was not present.
It is deeply personal. It is a mother who survives
trained as a midwife, she was equipped with essen-
and systems long before they are tested.
A community health worker stepped forward. childbirth. It is a newborn who takes a first breath.
tial emergency obstetric skills.
Programs like Together for Healthy Families in
She had participated in Together for Healthy Fami- It is a family that remains whole because someone
lies in Nigeria, a Rotary Foundation Programs of Nigeria show what is possible when Rotary brings
Hours later, both babies had been delivered, was trained, ready, and cared enough to act. Rotary
one at the health center and the other at a general
together local knowledge, global partnerships, and
Scale initiative. And though she was not formally understands that service means investing in people
hospital, where the mother had been referred after
sustainable solutions. By working alongside health pro-
trained as a midwife, she was equipped with essen- and systems long before they are tested.
complications were quickly identified. The new- Programs like Together for Healthy Families in
tial emergency obstetric skills. fessionals and local leaders, Rotary helps ensure that
lifesaving care does not depend on luck or location.
borns and their mother were alive and safe.
Hours later, both babies had been delivered, Nigeria show what is possible when Rotary brings
Women around the world face similar circum- together local knowledge, global partnerships, and
one at the health center and the other at a general The story of the mother and her twins is at its core
a story of service. It is a reminder that Rotary’s impact
stances every day — moments when the difference
hospital, where the mother had been referred after sustainable solutions. By working alongside health pro-
between life and loss depends on well-trained medi-
is measured in human moments when people step
complications were quickly identified. The new- fessionals and local leaders, Rotary helps ensure that
PHOTOGRAPH: MONIKA LOZINSKA
borns and their mother were alive and safe. forward to help others in their most vulnerable hours.
cal staff and reliable systems and procedures. lifesaving care does not depend on luck or location.
PHOTOGRAPH: MONIKA LOZINSKA
Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria exists The story of the mother and her twins is at its core
Women around the world face similar circum- When we Unite for Good, service becomes more
to increase the chances that those moments end in
than an ideal. It becomes a lifeline for families, a
stances every day — moments when the difference a story of service. It is a reminder that Rotary’s impact
hope. By strengthening health systems and training
source of strength for communities, and a promise
between life and loss depends on well-trained medi- is measured in human moments when people step
frontline workers, this program helps communities
that Rotary will continue to go wherever help is
cal staff and reliable systems and procedures. forward to help others in their most vulnerable hours.
needed most.
Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria exists
protect mothers and children even when circum- When we Unite for Good, service becomes more
PHOTOGRAPH: MONIKA LOZINSKA hope. By strengthening health systems and training FRANCESCO AREZZO APRIL 2026 ROTARY 3
stances are difficult.
than an ideal. It becomes a lifeline for families, a
to increase the chances that those moments end in
This work reflects the very heart of Rotary service.
source of strength for communities, and a promise
FRANCESCO AREZZO
Service is not only what we do when conditions are
frontline workers, this program helps communities
that Rotary will continue to go wherever help is
ideal. It is what we do when systems are strained,
President, Rotary International
needed most.
protect mothers and children even when circum-
stances are difficult.
This work reflects the very heart of Rotary service.
Service is not only what we do when conditions are
4
臺灣扶輪 2026.4
ideal. It is what we do when systems are strained,
apr26-A-PresMessage.indd 3 President, Rotary International APRIL 2026 ROTARY 3 3/1/26 23:27
apr26-A-PresMessage.indd 3 3/1/26 23:27