Where has 2018 gone? At the beginning of the year I was looking forward to my training to take on the District Governor role and now I have finished almost all my official club visits. What wonderful people John and I have met, inspiring projects we have heard about and visited, and we have seen a number of new ideas for meetings and club engagement being tried – “Be the Inspiration” is in action in 9920.
Some Highlights from our visits - there have been too many to mention all.
A new swimming pool in American Samoa – a hidden gem in the Pacific. I was able to officially present them with PDG Malini’s award for 2017-18 Best Project for their swimming pool. What a commitment that club made, raising over USD1 million and creating a community facility that everyone can use.
I also had the privilege of officially chartering a new Interact Club at Leone High School – 29 members and only 1 boy. And there is another club planned at another high school.
Fundraising for scholarships in Samoa – Apia Rotary has been running a Melbourne Cup event for many years and the funds raised are used every year to fund at least 20 scholarships for students at secondary school – what an impact that is having on many lives.
Noel pour Tous in Tahiti – can you believe that Papeete Rotary, supported by other clubs, has been running a free day of food and entertainment for children for 42 years? Every club member is involved in the planning and on the day – around 3000 children this year and over 5000 sandwiches made. Long standing member M. Rene Malmazac donated a number of bicycles as prizes – were those children excited! And the community contributed hundreds of toys and clothes to be distributed in all the French Polynesia islands through Catholic Relief.
Disease Prevention and Treatment – the theme for December
This is a massive part of Rotary International’s work, but we have our own closer to home:
In French Polynesia testing for diabetes is now part of every event Rotary runs, thanks largely to initial work by Dr Jean-Louis Boissin. A mobile van serves Tahiti main island and a tent is set up with volunteers to do basic screening. Anyone needing more is referred to a doctor.
Similar screening is done in Fiji.
Our own very special project is GECAF – Give Every Child a Future – to celebrate Rotary’s 100 years in New Zealand and Australia. Have a look at the website - https://everychildafuture.com/ and think about how you might contribute. Or contact Auckland Rotary for someone to speak to your club.