ROTARY CLUB OF SASKATOON
April 22, 2024
MEETING AT THE SASKATOON CLUB
President Wendy Cooper chaired the meeting.
Members sang O Canada followed by Al Morton reciting grace.
Paul Gauthier handled technology. Cashier was Donna Gauthier.
Graham Pearson was the greeter.
There were no visitors and guests apart from our Speaker, Wilson Mnemba.
HAPPY AND SAD DOLLARS
- $50 Wayne Palmer was happy that his wife’s mother made a recovery from a low point but $50 sad dollars at the recent passing of his brother.
- $100 Tammy Pshebylo recently lost her mum but she was happy to have been able to spend time with her. Also, happy her spouse, Randy, has been appointed to the Police Commission.
- $100 Jack Brodsky is happy Graham Pearson is here in person and that he attended a celebration for minor hockey.
- $100 Graham Pearson is downsizing, and he has been able to donate used laptops.
- $20 from Wendy Cooper on the opening of her new office.
- $50 Kent Smith-Windsor is happy with the results of the Badge Shield and Star dinner and thanked the Rotarians in our club for our support.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Jim Weber would like to work on the Raffle fundraiser, but he needs a volunteer from our club to work with him as he is away a good deal of the time.
- Steve spoke about RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. There are two youth camps: Junior, ages 12-14, first week in August, and Senior, ages 15 -17, second week of August. Our club has money in our budget to sponsor a student. Consider children or grandchildren of yours who might be interested in this experience. Spaces are limited so it is not too early to make an application.
- Co-op and Sobeys cards are available - see Donna.
ROTARY MOMENT
President Wendy was able to present in-person two Paul Harris pins
to Graham Pearson.
Presentation:
Gary Rusu introduced Wilson Mnemba, who is Maureen Torr’s husband of 6 years. Wilson has his BA in Procurement, and he was involved with an airline and tourism and has also done work in climate change and food security.
He gave a presentation about Joy’s Centre.
The original targets of the effort were the elderly and the youth in that region of Uganda. Now there is a school, an orphanage, land for crops,
and a granary.
There are 380 students in the school. Corn and beans are grown on the land and there is a vegetable garden where cabbages and pineapples are grown. The students assist and this builds responsibility. They have also grown bananas.
Last year they acquired some cows for a dairy. They also have goats.
A dam was constructed which supports the school, the animals, and even the surrounding community.
Right now, they need a better fence for the area and are looking at a chain link fence as a possibility.
Goals include spiritual care, training women to have a craft that earns income, and training in music and sports.
Books, paper, and writing utensils are provided to all the students and there is enough to supply the same to surrounding schools.
There is a 100,000-liter tank to store water on the property. With funds raised for the property this was purchased for 500 U.S. Dollars. There are toilets with hand wash stations.
The North Club donated $1,500 which allowed the purchase of sewing machines, and the Watrous Glub donated $3,700 which allowed for the completion of the Granary.
There are currently 65 children in need of sponsorship. Sponsorship fee is $420 per year, per child and a tax receipt is provided.
Wilson acknowledges the involvement of Sarah Herman, from the North Club, in this project over the years.
Next Meeting - May 6th.
- reported by Steve Wilson