Rotary clubs all over Great Britain and Ireland are inviting schools and youth groups such as brownies and cubs to participate in a new initiative, Grow Your Own Crocus. The initiative is designed to educate youngsters about the devastating disease of polio and how Rotary is working to eradicate it from the world.
The purple crocus is the symbol or Rotary’s worldwide campaign to eradicate polio and is the focus of this project, which was specially developed by the Rotary Crocus Campaign and the Youth Service Committee of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI). So far, over a hundred Rotary clubs have signed up to sponsor the project and it is hoped that hundreds of schools and youth groups will take part.
During October, packs of 270 crocuses, along with compost and pots, will be delivered to participating schools and youth groups for children aged from 4-11 years to plant and grow at home. In addition there will be a national competition for the best designed crocus pot label.
The crocus packs, paid for by sponsoring Rotary clubs, will include educational materials, tailored to the national curriculum. When the crocuses start to bloom in Spring, the children will bring them back to their school or youth group, where they will be the focus for learning about polio, based on the experiences of children of a similar age who have the disease. They will also learn about Rotary’s role in polio eradication and how they can help fundraise for End Polio Now.
David Price, International Coordinator of the Rotary Crocus Campaign and a member of the Rotary E-Club of London Centenary said: “The Grow Your Own Crocus project is a great way for Rotary clubs to engage with local children, their schools, youth groups and parents whilst promoting the cause of global polio eradication.”
Schools and youth groups who wish to take part should apply online.
