ROCHELLE — When Interact Club members discovered many schools in India do not have a basic need, they knew exactly what their international project should be.

Students in the Rochelle Township High School club heard about the plight of students half a world away at an event hosted by the Rochelle Rotary last fall.

At the After Hours Rotary event, Dr. John Prabhaker shared the fact many students in India do not have a desk to work at, which captured the attention of every Interact Club member.

Undoubtedly students in every country, including the U.S., face the same obstacles such as hunger, lack of supplies, and reliable transportation. Having a desk to work at could be deemed one of the most basic of necessities for students in a learning environment.

Interact advisor Alison Vrana said after the students heard that, their focus was clear.

“We felt that desks are a basic need for an effective educational environment, so we wanted to help,” Vrana said. “We found out that each desk would seat two to four students, and even being able to provide some desks would fill a need that we take for granted here in the U.S. We felt that this project deserved our attention, and it really does fit our motto, “Service Above Self.”

That’s where the Rochelle Rotary Club also stepped in. Rotary president Geri Hayden explained the project’s partnership between both clubs.

“Our ultimate goal is to attempt to collectively raise $15,000 here in Rochelle, collaboratively with our Interact students, Rotary Club, and through Rotary grants,” Hayden said. “The Rotary Club in India is also fundraising to match our amount of $15,000 and is applying for a Rotary Global Grant for the third leg of the $15,000, for a total cost of $45,000.”

That funding would provide nearly 1,500 desks, which would benefit over 4,000 students in Bhopal, India who are presently sitting on the floor at their school.

How to help

In the next few weeks, Interact members will be asking local business owners if they would like to be a collection site for the “Give a Gallon for India Campaign.” Plastic milk jug containers will be available at these businesses from March 1 through April 9.

Every year the Interact Club tackles local and international projects. The goal for this project is $5,000. Three years ago the club raised $16,500 for bridges in Skare Park, benefitting the local community.

“We’ve done a lot of good for the Rochelle community, but we want to deepen our impact on the world,” Vrana said.

For more information or to offer your place of business as a collection site, please call 815-562-4161 ext. 1107, or email Alison Vrana at avrana@rthsd212.org.