Club Matters

Annual Reports

International Service Report: 2010-2011    Director: John Regan OBE.

The committee met at the beginning of the year and agreed some ground rules for the year, the main one being that we would not take on any new support projects that would bind future committees in successive years and restrict their scope for meeting new challenges. The committee fully embraced the existing ongoing projects after review and discussion.

The projects assisted this year included:

Polio Plus. A grant was made to this most worthy cause and the committee were boosted by the very positive news that this Rotary project has gained a great deal of ground around the world.

Bagong Bario Philippines Student Project. After last year's launch of Maurice into the teaching world at the end of his studies, all so wonderfully described by him during his visit to the Club, it was with great enthusiasm that support commenced for our next student in the programme, Lianne Mae Miranda We receive regular letters from her outlining her progress and the last one included a copy of her report card clearly showing that her determination and effort is producing outstanding results academic results and promises well for the future. It is this type of project that results in a true 'Force Multiplier' when they use their hard earned skills to impact into the community. This project also demonstrates the influence Rotary can make and the students selected become a role model to the children of the Bagong Bario slum that they can break out of their traditional destinies and make a difference

Woodlark Island Mosquito Nets. The unexplained delays in the distribution of mosquito nets caused the committee considerable concerns as preventable child deaths remain a factor on the island. The Club endorsed an approach to be made to the District Governor who embraced our concerns and raised the matter with the DG in the area concerned. We received a heart warming response that action would happen shortly, however this project cannot be declared a success as yet due to the fact that one of the Committee who works in the area has yet to report any evidence of action on the ground. A close monitoring brief will be kept on the situation.

Stepping Stones Cambodia Project. The Club received a superb briefing from Rachel Merchant as to the pressing need to support the training of teachers and establishment of teaching facilities in a deprived area of Cambodia. It was very sobering for our members to be reminded that the years of Pol Pot had wiped out most of the teachers and other professionals in the country and the real impact is being felt by the children of today. This project promises a great deal and the hope and future of many students depends on this timely support. It was most evident that Rachel's zeal and commitment to this project will ensure that in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Angkor that real results are delivered on the ground.

MUKTI Project. This new project was introduced to the Committee and then the Club as an example of our policy to support new projects that do not commit future committees to annual grants. The MUKTI project is in New Delhi and was founded in 1997 to support children and young adults for whom Dehli railway station was home. There are 300,000 homeless children living on the streets of Dehli, some children have been abandoned, others have been orphaned, some have run away. Almost all street children - boys and girls - have suffered sexual abuse or rape.

There are two main prongs of the project:

Karm Marg. This home receives selected children and young adults for whom Delhi railway station was home. The founders soon realised that the children were creative, tough and resilient. Therefore the home was set up to be run by the children themselves as their own home with adult guidance. The 56 children raise 60% of the cost of running the home by the production and selling of their craft and other items they make under their own brand 'Jugaad' - which means something made from nothing.

Naz Care Home for HIV Positive Children. The Naz care home was founded by Anjali Gopalan when an HIV positive baby was left on her doorstep. The Naz children are quite young - often sick babies who are abandoned and cannot care for themselves on the street. The Naz care home is the only care home in India for HIV Positive children. The daily medical care on site accounts for the majority of their budget although the Indian government provides the anti viral drugs. Their incredible record of care, supported by special diets means that only one child has been lost since they opened. An exciting extension of this project has been the outreach programme supporting over 200 children living with families with the simple but balanced diet that can make such a difference.

By the generosity of several Rotary Club members and a grant from Club funds AU$3000 has been sent to support the charity.

World Community Services Rotary Australia (Nepal). This very worthy cause where our own Roy Bunney has a detailed knowledge of the effect reasonably small donations make on the ground. This year a grant has been made to support a trainee nurse and a person studying land management so that they can serve their communities once qualified and make significant differences in areas that require these skills.

Skills For Life International. Jan Harris, the Vice President and treasurer of the organisation gave a presentation to Woy Woy Rotary Club very clearly detailing the tremendous need for support to the Kisii region of Kenya where there was a community requirement for a 4WD troop carrier to fulfil the roles of people carrier, ambulance, church and school transport as well as such mundane roles as taking bodies to the mortuary; funding required to assist two people to attend courses some 400 Km's away and thirdly funds were required for a year's cost of transport and medical supplies for a nursing sister to reach outlying community areas and provide weekly healthcare to the Academy school children. In line with our committee's wise to place funding where it would be most effective a request for a grant was taken to the Board and approved to fund a year's cost for the Nursing sister.

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A satisfying year in which the Club can take pride in the delivery of grants that will significantly improve the welfare and conditions of so many in need in different parts of the world. It has been a privilege to have acted as the Chair to a very caring and committed committee. I have enjoyed working with everyone and thank President Don and other board members for their advice and support.

Yours in Rotary,

John Regan OBE.
International Director 2010/11.