Current Activity
The impact of Covid-19 has drastically impacted the Club’s ability to raise funds for worthwhile overseas projects. As a result, the International Committee’s focus is on sponsoring those international projects that we have typically supported in 2022 pending clarity on available funds at that point.
Tonga Appeal
The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano that lies about 60 kilometres north of Tonga's main island was one of the most powerful seen in recent times. Satellite images as spectular, but the aftermath is shocking.
Now the pacific island in blanketed in a layer of volcanic ash and the tsunami waves devasted coastal areas tearing down trees and ripping buildings apart.
The international phone line has been severed leaving the island cut off and crippling communications. Dust has hampered relief planes delivering much needed water and food supplies. However emergency efforts are rallying and if you feel able, you can donate via Rotary to assist in the support efforts.
Highlights 2020-2021
End Polio Now
Because our Club was one of the first D9810 Clubs to contribute to End Polio, we were able to take advantage of matching contributions from District 9810 (AUD1,500), RI World Fund (USD500) and the Gates Foundation (USD5,000). Hence our payment of $1,500 when grossed up ended up contributing $US7,500 (=A$10,710) to this iconic Rotary International project.
Hotels Joining Hands
At our meeting on 18 August Christian De Boer explained how ‘Hotels Joining Hands’ organises food for those in hospital (no food is provided to them by the hospitals). However, with COVID-19 most of the hotels have closed and 150,000 jobs have been lost. His initiative currently enables 300-400 meals per day to be distributed costing $1.25 per meal. We were so impressed with his work and the difference he is making, we arranged for the Club to donate $700 and hence fund 560 meals. (https://hotelsjoininghands.com/)
Tenderfoot School
This school began in 1996 in the Kangemi slum and our support for it started back in 2002 when former Club member and DG, the late Ray Adams began the program (Ray’s son Greg took over the role of administrator in 2013). The community and the school have been affected by HIV/AIDS, many children are homeless, orphaned or have only one parent and COVID-19 has naturally also had an impact causing the school to close. To support the community’s battle with COVID-19, we donated $1,000 back in October.
There are approximately 100 students whose parent/carer is unable to pay the school fees and the cost to sponsor a single child for a year is $295. Hence, we have continued our annual sponsorship of two children by donating $590 which will allow children to receive food, clothing and an education.
This project to harvest rainwater from the school roofs, install four toilets, hand wash facilities and safe drinking water started in December 2019. Due to Covid 19 restrictions in February 2020, no work could be carried out and in June 2020 the budget was carried over into this year’s budget. Thanks to the efforts of Russell Marnock last year, we were able to secure a D9810 District Grant for $2,500, and in addition to a $1,000 gift for this project from D9820, our Club’s contribution of just $1,500 resulted in a consolidated donation of $5,000 to this worthy cause.
