Simply Inspirational - Rotary Alumni achieves much

Robbie Francis was sponsored as an Ambassadorial Scholar in 2010-2011 by District 9930 to study a Masters degree in International Conflict Resolution and Mediation in Israel. She lives with a physical disability that affects her mobility so this was an incredible opportunity to see some of the world and an experience that opened her eyes to the issues and opportunities facing the world today and particularly those facing adversity. 

 

She also met many people in Rotary and developed an awareness of the strong ‘Service Above Self’ ethic of Rotarians and developed the understanding of Rotary and the connections she has since put to good use in service of others.  Since her return to New Zealand she has been involved with Dunedin Rotaract and the soon-to-be-chartered Rotary NRG Dunedin club where she actively volunteers for projects. 

 

Robbie’s Rotary experiences to date have motivated her to do PhD research on the experiences of people with disabilities in places of armed conflict but also joined her life and academic experiences together to co-found The Lucy Foundation (www.thelucyfoundation.com) which is a social enterprise led by a bunch of young people who are passionate about developing a culture of disability inclusiveness through environmentally, ethically and economically sustainable trade.  She is shortly to return to Mexico in time for the 2016 coffee harvest but on the last trip they had Attitude TV travel with them and make a documentary about their first project creating an entire production line of coffee that is inclusive of people with disabilities, from seed to cup.

 

This can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIoqArGl3qk