ROTARY CLUB OF SASKATOON
December 2, 2024
MEETING AT THE SASKATOON CLUB
Past-President Wendy Cooper chaired the meeting.
Members sang O Canada. Steve Wilson recited grace.
Paul Gauthier handled technology. Cashier was Wayne Palmer. Presenter was Elaine Zakreski.
HAPPY AND SAD DOLLARS
- Avis Hardy $37.50 half her birthday age. Family had a good time at Mr. Ribs.
- Graham Pearson $100 - he had a dream?
- Al Morton - on the passing of Keith Chow, former Rotarian.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
President Jack Brodsky made the following announcements:
- Our AGM will be on January 27. We are looking for someone to be our President in 2027 - 2028, which would be after Will Arscott 2025-2026 and Don Lepp 2026-2027.
- Someone from the Salvation Army will be at our Christmas Dinner on December 16. We will accept donations for the Salvation Army on that day.
- The Salvation Army Kettle Program is on, and you can register on-line to volunteer.
ELAINE ZAKRESKI - report from Malawi
She began by giving thanks to Rotary for their support of Hope for Malawi over the years.
Elaine interviewed 39 people in Malawi and from those talks she has written a book, ‘Voices from the Village’.
She has some interesting general observations from those talks:
First, all the participants declared that the most important relationship in their life was with God.
Second, despite their spiritual declaration, almost all of them were touched by divorce in their family. In most cases the man has left the relationship which leaves the wife and children in a dire situation.
Women are considered not be equal with men. This means that the young boys are educated and not the young girls. This is something that Hope for Malawi is addressing.
Hope for Malawi also addresses hunger. In Malawi if it doesn’t rain there are no crops and no food. The priority is to feed the children. Hope for Malawi works in partnership to do this.
In Malawi when there is music, dancing is in a circle, so all participate together.
Houses are generally small and only for sleeping. Cooking and socializing are all done outside the house.
Church usually lasts for about three hours and do not have a set end time. The church is like a community centre.
Elaine read a letter from Frank, a 34-year-old driver. Frank spoke of the divorce in his family. He did not see his mother for several years after she left when he was 11 years old. When they did meet, she didn’t recognize him. Frank said, it isn’t things that make you happy, it is what you do with these things.
To conclude, Elaine says we should help people to see us falling in love with their children, which gives them a sense of caring and community.
Meeting adjourned.
Next Meeting is on December 16 which is the Saskatoon Club Christmas Party.
- reported by Steve Wilson
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