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After retiring from a 35-year teaching career in the Comox Valley, it didn’t take long for Rotarian Brian Mather to realize he missed working with kids.
With that in mind, about eight years ago, Mather got involved as a mentor with the Mark R. Isfeld Interact Club. The volunteer student organization is affiliated with the Rotary Club of Comox and gives students from Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School the chance to volunteer in local and international projects.
“An opportunity came up through the Rotary Club to mentor the Interact club, and I took it. And I haven’t quit,” he said.
Through Mather’s mentorship, the student-led club has undertaken a series of initiatives in Honduras. Projects have included building a roof and washrooms for a local school in Comayagua, funding a new kitchen for a rural school, and building a library and community resource centre.
Most recently, the club worked with Comox Rotarians to build a dental clinic for a rural community in Honduras.
The student club returned to the Central American country this year.
“We support an education program down there called Alternatives and Opportunities, which provides education, health support and family support for the very poor families in the public markets,” said Mather, a few days before leaving for the trip.
“This year, we have a cheque for them. In one night, the kids raised $6,200 CDN to take down to support the program.”
Apart from his work with the Interact Club, Mather is also involved with the Rainbow Youth Theatre society. In recent years he directed “Beauty and the Beast” and “Anything Goes” for the local non-profit society.
He’s volunteered for Rainbow Youth Theatre “off and on” since it started 30 years ago.
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