Never underestimate the power of a determined Rotarian.
When it comes to serving others, Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs member Donna Mosher is a true force for good. Her dedication and quiet persistence recently led to a remarkable gift for children halfway around the world.
Months ago, Mosher reached out to the LEGO Foundation with a request: could they help provide Braille Bricks for blind students in Niger, where the Pagosa Springs club has a long-standing partnership with the Rotary Club of Niamey. For weeks, she heard nothing back and assumed the request had gone unanswered.
Then, one day, two large boxes appeared on her doorstep. Inside were eight complete packs of LEGO Braille Bricks. The surprise didn’t end there. Just a week later, a third box arrived, sent without fanfare from LEGO headquarters — a total donation worth $1,200.
These innovative Braille Bricks are more than toys — they are powerful learning tools. Designed with raised Braille letters on each brick, they help young children with visual impairments learn to read through play. Our sister club in Niamey is eager to share them with visually impaired youth attending a school for the blind in their community.
Niger is among the poorest countries in the world, with half its population surviving on less than $2 a day.
Last year, under Mosher’s leadership, members of the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs personally contributed $1,200 to their sister club in Niger. The funds provided uniforms and specialized supplies for students at the school for the blind, ensuring they had the tools and dignity they needed to learn.
The good news doesn’t stop there. Mosher also announced that our club has been awarded a District Matching Grant to provide even more educational support to visually impaired students in Niger. The $3,000 grant, matched by $3,000 members of the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs contributed, will fund the purchase and shipment of braille paper, braille writing machines and other vital school supplies. The grant has been sent to Rotary International headquarters in Evanston for final approval.
This effort is a shining example of how a single Rotarian’s vision — and willingness to simply ask — can create ripples of hope and opportunity across the globe.
One Rotarian’s persistence is making a world of difference — literally.
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