Ten Rotary International districts in five Latin American countries will be cohosts of the third edition of an annual project fair in Cuenca, Ecuador, this coming January. Registration is underway. Previous events were held in Quito and Guayaquil, the country's administrative and business capitals.

Opening on 13 January, the three-day fair will feature an estimated 600 projects aimed at addressing education, health, infant nutrition, and water concerns of underserved communities in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. If everything goes according to plan, all 532 clubs from the sponsoring districts will be represented at the fair.

Organizers bill the fair as an outstanding opportunity for clubs and individuals to forge friendships and partnerships that will enhance the quality of service. The program includes training in project planning and implementation provided by Rotary leaders and The Rotary Foundation staff.

"The personal relations and friendships established between Rotarians of other countries with our Rotarians and clubs will make it possible to carry out many projects to solve the needs of our very low-income communities," says Luis Chonillo, president of the organizing committee. "At the same time, participants will have the opportunity to get to know Ecuador and experience the warmth of its people and the beauty of the country."

Attendees will be able to visit many tourist destinations including the pristine ecological sanctuaries on the Galapagos Islands; the historic sectors of Quito, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site; the scenic town of Baños; and the Amazon River.

The mayors of Cuenca and Guayaquil, the port of arrival for many participants, have already sent letters welcoming Rotarians to the fair.

To register or obtain more details about the fair, visit the fair's Web site or contact Luis Chonillo; telephone: 593-4-256-6733 or 9-424444). Alternatively, Rotary clubs in Australia, Canada, and the United States may contact Juan Prinz, and those in Asia and Europe may contact Francis Dykmans.