Buena Park Rotary Secures $85K for Water Project in India

## Buena Park Rotary Celebrates $85,321 Global Grant for Water Management Project in India

### International partnership advances check-dam and river restoration work while connecting Buena Park Rotarians with humanitarian service thousands of miles from home

**BUENA PARK, Calif. — September 25, 2026** — The Rotary Club of Buena Park is celebrating a major international service milestone after **Rotary International released $85,321.98** for a water management project in India, allowing partners to move forward with implementation of an initiative centered on check-dam development and the deepening of a river.

The Rotary Club of Buena Park is celebrating the release of $85,321.98 for an international water management project in India, made possible through Rotary partnerships and fundraising efforts led in part by Immediate Past President Shailesh Shah.

The milestone was shared with Buena Park Rotary leadership by Immediate Past President **Shailesh Shah**, who helped lead fundraising efforts and develop the partnerships that made the project possible.

The initiative brings together Rotarians and humanitarian partners across international borders, with the **Rotary Club of Buena Park serving as the international host/support club**, according to project correspondence. Partners include **Self Awakening Mission**, Shri Ashok Ji and other Rotary and project representatives in India.

For current Buena Park Rotary President **Carlos Franco**, the project illustrates how a relatively small community service club can make an impact far beyond its hometown.

“From Buena Park to India, we may be separated by thousands of miles, but our commitment to helping others knows no borders,” Franco said. “It’s amazing to see what can happen when people come together in service. This is what ‘Service Above Self’ looks like on a global scale.”

## From Buena Park to India

The project focuses on water management through infrastructure intended to capture and better manage water resources. Check dams are small barriers constructed across waterways that can slow water flow and support water conservation and groundwater recharge, depending on their design and local conditions.

Such work aligns with Rotary’s broader international focus on water, sanitation and hygiene. Rotary reports that its Foundation has invested extensively in water-resource projects around the world, and global grants are specifically designed to support large international projects with sustainable and measurable outcomes. Rotary

Rotary has a history of supporting check-dam projects in India. Previous Rotary initiatives have used check dams to increase water storage and groundwater recharge and to support communities facing water scarcity. Service Project Center

With funding now released, project partners are expected to move into implementation, including on-site work, project identification and documentation of the project’s progress and impact.

## Recognizing the Leadership Behind the Project

Franco gave special recognition to Shah, whose work helped position the Buena Park club to participate in the international initiative.

“A very special thank you goes to Shailesh Shah,” Franco said. “His leadership and hard work helped raise the money that made this possible and opened the door for the Rotary Club of Buena Park to be part of such a meaningful international project. Projects like this don’t happen overnight. They happen because people are willing to build relationships, stay committed and keep working toward something bigger than themselves.”

Shah, in correspondence announcing the release of funds, also credited **Self Awakening Mission** for its generosity, commitment and support of the project.

The nonprofit operates in India and describes its work as spanning humanitarian and charitable efforts including community meals, medical camps, elderly care, assistance for underserved communities, women’s empowerment and other service programs. Its website also documents water-relief efforts in India. Self Awakening Mission

Shah also recognized Shri Ashok Ji for his leadership and continued work bringing the water project toward implementation.

## A Global Club With Local Roots

The project comes as the Buena Park Rotary Club seeks to expand the meaning of service for its members — pairing local projects and youth development with opportunities to participate in international humanitarian efforts.

Franco said the India partnership demonstrates that a Rotary club does not have to be large to think globally.

“Buena Park is our home, and serving our neighbors here will always be at the heart of what we do,” Franco said. “But Rotary also gives us this incredible network where a relationship formed here can eventually help a community on the other side of the world. That’s powerful.”

The project’s next phase is expected to include construction and continued documentation, with Buena Park Rotary and its partners following its progress and eventual community impact.

For Franco, the milestone is also an example of continuity in volunteer leadership — with a project cultivated under one club president continuing to receive support from the next.

“Shailesh helped plant the seed, and now our responsibility is to help carry the work forward,” Franco said. “That’s Rotary. Leadership changes, but the service continues.”

**Service Above Self — across borders.**

Editorial note: The $85,321.98 grant amount, Buena Park Rotary’s role, project description and partner acknowledgments above are based on the project correspondence provided by the Rotary Club of Buena Park. The broader descriptions of Rotary’s grant and water programs were independently verified through Rotary International.

## About the Rotary Club of Buena Park

The Rotary Club of Buena Park brings local business, civic and community leaders together through fellowship and service. The club supports youth development, community initiatives and humanitarian projects while participating in Rotary’s international network of service.

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