ROTARY CLUB OF SASKATOON CLUB MEETING
June 12, 2023, at the Saskatoon Club with a Zoom alternative.
President-elect Wendy Cooper Chaired the meeting.
Members sang ‘O’ Canada. Avis Hardy gave the blessing. Don Lepp was the Greeter. A guest of Maureen Torr, Fred Solomon, arrived a little later and was introduced by Maureen.
Cashier was Wayne Palmer. Mark Gryba handled technology.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Steve announced that the President’s Dinner is on June 26 in the library room at the Saskatoon Club. It will start at 5:30. Many have already signed up, but we need those attending to make their menu selections. These are to be sent to Steve to sjwlawoffice@shaw.ca.
Rotary memberships need to be paid now. June 15 is the set deadline. We need to report our member numbers to the district fairly soon, so please complete your form and make payment. If you need an additional form, contact Wayne Palmer at palmerw55@gmail.com.
Grocery Cards are sold out. Donna thanked those who participated in the program because a significant sum has been raised.
HAPPY AND SAD DOLLARS
- $50 from Mark, mostly for his trip to Greece.
- $40 from Prem for his time in Nepal and his son will be attending RYLA this year.
- $20 from Wendy for the time spent with her sisters.
- $40 from Steve for the Canadian, Nick Taylor, who won the Canadian Open golf tournament on the weekend.
- $20 from Linda - a grandchild is toilet trained.
- $50 from Elaine - for surviving her long (32 hr) flight time returning from Malawi and a further amount for the work being done there.
- $100 from Graham for a safe return to the Okanagan.
Presentation - Elaine Zakreski
Elaine is back after her first visit to Malawi in 5 years. She was joined by Father Matthew, who has been an important contact throughout the project there. Elaine’s son, Michael, who accompanied her this time, has been a great addition to the team. He is very observant, stepping back and recording his observations about how things could improve.
We saw a video of young school children dancing which not rehearsed but a spontaneous happening. They have just started wearing school uniforms at the Lamoli School.
Elaine says that the work in Malawi is a “heart stretcher.” The heart is warmed but sometimes your heart breaks.
Michael believes that electricity and the internet should be introduced to the area. The cost would be approximately $50,000 because the grid would have to be extended to the area.
There are about 75 - 100 students in the classes at the school. It is set up so there is one home room teacher per group covering all the classes.
A large church, St. Peter’s Church, has been built in the area but is not yet completely secured. This means that the congregation stores the pews in their homes and then brings them to the church when they have their services. The building is big enough and on high ground so that it can be used as shelter in a storm.
Maize is a common crop in the area, but it takes too much moisture out of the soil. They are trying to introduce the use of a type of millet which is much more environmentally friendly to the soil.
NEXT MEETING:
June 26, 2023 – President’s Dinner.
Reported by Steve Wilson