District
District 1260 International Sevice Committee
International
/ World Community Service Update
by Les Lee, Chairman of District International
Services Committee
You should all have received a copy of the January
Newsletter that was sent by post to Club Presidents. Since that time I have sent
out several E-mails regarding the situation in Afghanistan and Congo. I realise
that there are many members who believe that charity begins in the local
community. Whatever the feelings are regarding International matters or your
local community coming first I don't believe anyone could fail to be moved by
the tragic scenes in the recent news reports.
I therefore feel justified in trying to keep you up to date with the
news and details of what other agencies are doing and asking for your support.
·
Aquaboxes Currently
have 53 Aqua 30's (£13,000 worth for nearly 2 million litres water) and 160
standard Aquaboxes with clothing etc and another 76,000 litres ready to go as soon
as we can find a carrier and reliable distributor. Local Radio in Derby has
been used to attract transportation.
Contact John Mc Cann, Save the Children, 17
Grove Lane, London. SE5 8RD
Contact Lesley
Farley, Feed the Children, 2 Tavistock Industrial Estate, Ruscombe Lane,
Ruscombe, Twyford, Berks. RG10 9NJ
·
Merlin Are
working in the area and are providing support with Health Care and the fight the
spread of disease.
This
specialist organisation also needs funds for equipment and medicines.
Contact
Sheila Willis, UNICEF UK. Africa House
64-78 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NB
On behalf of RIBI I have contacted this organisation
and as a result been able to find the locations from which they are working. I then
made contact with clubs in the Congo and Uganda asking if the local Rotarians
could contact these locations in order to give help with such things as
practical skills, linguistics, logistics, transport, storage, manufacturing,
security, cultural, geographic, communications, or local suppliers. I have also
suggested to the agencies that they seek out local Rotarians for assistance.
Publicity for your clubs and International
Projects:
At the
RIBI Conference in Glasgow the RIBI International Committee will as usual have
a stand and will be undertaking the presentation and content is a true
reflection of the international Service activity throughout all our Districts
and Clubs. We are therefore looking towards a more "Back to Basics"'
approach.
I would
like to ask for your assistance in the following areas:
·
We would like information about special projects
undertaken by your clubs. A short write up (150 words max.) and photographs
would be ideal.
·
Names and clubs of Rotarians who have given voluntary
service on International Projects either as Rotary Foundation volunteers or
with club support. This will enable us to publicise any Rotarians who have
given "Service Above Self". Name, Club, and title of service given i.e.:
Eye Surgeon is all that is required.
I hope you will be able to help me with these requests.
This new approach to the stand will hopefully enable us to present a true
picture of your International Service at its best throughout the whole of RIBI.
Please
contact me if you have some material!
Your Club
Secretaries have now received the nomination forms for membership of the
District Service Teams. (You probably know them as committees). The International Service Team is loosing
several members this year, as they are becoming Presidents of their clubs or
due to unforeseen work commitments. If
you have an interest in International Service and would to like work with like minded
people in order to encourage and inform clubs to meet the fourth objective of
Rotary come and join us. Please contact me for a chat if you need to know
more. Look forward to hearing from you.
Les
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