President Mark called our meeting to order and quickly moved us through the agenda to allow plenty of time for our special program today. We had no guests today.
Announcements
- Mark announced that our voting on Club Amalgamation closed today
- February 5th – Brenda Banbury will speak on the Polio Plus program status
- February 12th – Member Huey Ming will speak on a Special International and Aboriginal Nursing project
- February 19th - No meeting that day for Family Day
Sergeant Mike G. kindly kidded kicking-off kibitzing, keenly keeping killer king karat knish:
- Dave S. for his Mom’s 86th Birthday
- Mike G. (SD) for his rear-ender accident this AM
- Mavis for attending a fascinating Guiding conference
- Maureen for her cousin’s project support from the Rotary Foundation
- Graham for son James’ Hockey shoot-out goal and also later for the great Hope for Malawi presentation to which Darcelle and he then contributed $300
Today’s Program – Hope for Malawi
Elaine and Peter presented a pictorial slide show and an update on this valuable 10 year old project. Elaine started with a story of her work with seniors who occasionally kid her about her passionate speaking style, most evident in today’s delivery. They have completed their ninth trip to date, the travel time of which takes 37 hours! Ouch – now that’s devotion!
They are met each time by Father Kazimo who takes care of them and ensures through his connections they have no issues coming into the country. They have also established a trusted relationship with the Village headman so all goes well.
On this most recent trip a tour was made of the fresh water bore holes previously funded by the Hope for Malawi project that also included a single donation of $60,000! There are 9 bore holes at 50 meters deep, each costing $8,000. Now age and use is causing the need for repairs on several of these. Some of the Villages have developed a modest fee system for water usage that helps offset the cost of these repairs. This clean water program has made a tremendous difference in Village health, especially for the children.
Another vital project is the construction of foot bridges over numerous dry creek beds that flood and overflow during the rainy season. Without the foot bridges, passage is impossible, impeding access to markets, schools and medical attention. Villagers are now learning the construction skills required to build more bridges.
Elaine went on to profile a project wherein one Village banded together to build a house for a women who has seven children and who were living in very poor conditions.
Another project highlighted was Sarah's House, a new school residence built with school and village support. The fundraising was led by a young student named Sarah who helped raise over $10,000! This three bedroom learning facility was first rented out to Elaine, Peter and a number of their volunteers to raise further cash flow.
St. Anne’s Church in Saskatoon has now become involved with the Malawi project and is helping to sponsor the Zumba Church, a key participant with this program.
Elaine profiled how the last shipped container arrived safely in Malawi and spoke of the many donated contents including SIGA shirts, clothing from a Saskatchewan transit company, bicycles and medical and dental supplies. Even a used pale green carpet went to the local church! Wedding gowns also arrived that are used for rentals in the community, creating additional income.
The livestock program is going well with animals being raised in the community with offspring then being given to needy families to be raised for milk and meat.
Another charity named Action Hope is now partnering with Hope for Malawi in building schools for the youngest children. In one example, a young progressive Chief gave up his office building so it could be used as a school. His village will now be on the list for a new school building.
Farming techniques are being trained to villagers for continuous cropping. The seed stock and water pumps came in large part from Rotary donations.
The Church community is most important socially with 3 hour masses not uncommon. One of the new church buildings currently being constructed will cost approximately $20,000 although it will have no power or water.
In all, Hope for Malawi has established close working relationships with forty-seven chiefs and councils in advancing this important humanitarian work.
Elaine and Peter say it is a deep honor to serve the World community in this fashion. She says they are “never lonely” in Malawi as a result of the close friendships they have made there. Thank you to Elaine and Peter for your dedicated years of service above self, and for raising the profile of Rotary worldwide.
Adjournment
