- A SELECTION OF NEWS BY LES LEE (as of 30/05/01)
Past DG David Judge is again
organising a Rotary Eurotour from 18th to 21st September
this year. It is the opportunity to
visit the European Parliament whilst it is in session, to see the Supreme
Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe, and another European Institution will be
visited. Add to this visits to Belgian
and Luxembourg Rotary Clubs, a visit to a Moselle Wine Cellar and the Rotary
Fellowship on the coach trip and you will have great time.
These tours have been
running since 1981 and the estimated cost is £195 per person.
For further details or more
leaflets contact David Judge at 28, Cottage Drive, Colchester, Essex CO2
8DE. Tel
No 01206 799222. Fax 01206 796669.
E-mail:
david.a.judge@virgin.net
THE ASSOCIATION FOR CHILD EDUCATION THE GAMBIA
Information has been
received regarding the above organisation that seeks to promote rural child
education, rural child health and welfare, and their rights in rural
Gambia. It operates in a community of
200,000 and children of 2-12 and their mothers are targeted. Funding is being sought. For further information contact Mustapha
Hydara, TAFCE - The Gambia, PO Box 577, Banjul. E-mail: tafce@avu.org.
I will shortlty receive a
brochure and information regarding this organisation. A wind up/solar radio
has been developed and it is hoped to distribute 3000 to facilitate access to
education for some of the most vulnerable children in Zambia - namely those who
are AIDS orphans and those who are to poor and unable to be sent to
school. The Ministry of Education has
tried a scheme to reach children through radio based distance learning. A trial project proved to be extremely
successful and was oversubscribed.
Tests showed the children made significant gains in understanding. The brochure gives further information re
the project and also about Freeplay and the radio.
The Freeplay Foundation
hopes to seek funding for the provision of 3000 radios and hopes that Rotary
Clubs might be interested in the project and make a contribution for a radio
(cost£35).
Support of the project will
give some of the most deprived, unfortunate and underprivileged children a
chance. Some clubs might support his
project working with children, helping AIDS victims, and improving
education. Please let them know of
the project.
Further details from Sue
Holland at Freeplay on e-mail: sue@freeplaygroup.com
or telephone 020 7851 2600.
Sight Savers is a charity
that has received the support or the RIBI International Service Committee for
many years and many Rotary Clubs have supported the work of this excellent
organisation which helps to improve the sight of so many blind people.
At the RIBI International
Session at the Conference in Bournemouth some adverse comments were made
regarding Sight Savers. These were
the personal ones of the speaker and not
those of the RIBI International Service Committee. I
would like to reiterate that Rotary cherishes the strong links with Sight
Savers and hopes to continue to work with and develop projects with them to
fight the problems of Avoidable Blindness.
I have received details of
an English Summer Course to be run by the Rotary Club of Golcuk (District 2420)
in Degirmendere Town from 1st-30th July 2001. A volunteer teacher is being sought together
with contributions from Rotary Clubs.
Further details are available on the website www.degirmendere-bld.org.tr
If anyone wishes more
information please visit the website.
Another request for help
with the purchase of books for Ghana.
A self-help organisation has contacted me called La Town Development
Organisation and works in development and education in an area around Greater
Accra. It has a source of books
regarding the Ghanaian Culture and Traditions and needs around 4000 at
£1.50. Contact me if you are
interested in more details.
ACHIEVEMENT FORMS FOR 2000-2001 and PLANS FOR 2001-2002.
I am reminded that these
forms issued to all clubs at District Assembly or sent to you since, form an
important part in establishing the level of International Service carried out
in this district and is valuable to the publicity for Rotary.
Please I remind you to
return the forms as soon as you have completed your plans and have your final
reports for the year just coming to an end.
The current update on this
appeal so far is:
£273,700 has been received
at RIBI
£150,000 was sent quickly to
Gujarat and I have heard from Past Director Kalyan Bannerjee that it is planned
to use this to redevelop schools in many villages.
£74,000 (approx.) is being
used to rebuild a village in Bhaktinagar.
Leslie Robertson from the Rotary Club of Luton North and the Rotary Club
of Bhavnagar is supervising this.
£15,000 has been sent to
Jaipur Limb and a further £2,000 to Mukti Limb Trust.
Boxes Over 2000 Aquaboxes
Around 400 Emergency boxes
140 Shelter boxes.
In April a 40ft container
full of disaster boxes was sent 100 shelter boxes, 100 emergency boxes, 180
standard Aquaboxes and 60 Aquabox 30s.
These were received and distributed by the Rotary Club of Petlad in
District 3060.
Thanks to all who have
contributed.
End of report.