Paul Botes, Rotary Family Health Day, Roger Else gets stuck in, Committees and Haiti.

Last Week

As I surmised, Graham Pugin wasn't in a fit state to come and talk to us having been shot in the mouth with a rubber bullet but we had almost a gala lunch with Joan Sainsbury bringing Petra Oelofse and Paul Botes and his wife.

Mark Franklin, as chairman of the Arts Festival Committee, presented him with a certificate for the most paintings sold at the Rotary Arts Festival.

Friday was also one of the Rotary Family Health Days which meant that some of our members weren't present as they were 'tending the sick'.  Melodene and Ken Stonestreet gave us a run down on what they had been doing in conjunction with Morningside Club in Diepsloot the day before which was well organised and a tremendous turn out of people.  Melodene felt that two people's lives were saved because they had been checked at the clinic and were immediately packed off to hospital.  That in itself made it worthwhile.
In contrast Mark Franklin had a disappointing time in Ivory Park with Kyalami Club.  He didn't feel it was advertised properly as they had very few people turn up compared to last year.

In our club one of the requirements for membership is for a prospective member to help on a Rotary Project.



Roger Else wasted no time in doing his community service.  He kindly dedicated his Saturday
morning to helping Lebohang Sithole and Jan Tshikhuthula, co-founders of the newly established EditionVary Print Studio, at the Parkhurst Recreational Centre.  

Two things needed doing:

•  The delivery of a much needed metal cupboard for keeping valuable printing paper and other supplies under lock and key.  
• And the fixing of the entrance door to the studio for the added security of the Printing Press so generously donated to Edition Vary by the Club as part of its support to the arts community by developing a business development, training and educational project. 

This Week.
It's our Committee Meeting week.  I printed out a number of large labels to put on the tables relating to the committee.  Most of them vanished.  If you feel you need one, committee chairmen, just bring one along.  If you feel it is unnecessary, don't bother.

Rotary Careers Morning.
We have set the date for Saturday 25th February, 2017.  Last year we had 325 Grade 12's and this year we are anticipating a lot more and we have already added a number of extra vocations such as Printing and Physiotherapy.  Because we are anticipating greater numbers there will be food stalls and a number of 10 minute talks that learners can attend when they wish to.  Logistically it requires more careful planning because of numbers and we have already started.

Don't forget to book with me for Schwabinger Stuben next week, Thursday, 27th!

ROTARY AND SHELTERBOX ON THE GROUND IN HAITI

Staff from ShelterBox and the United Nation’s World Food Programme help unload a delivery of ShelterBox supplies at Les Cayes harbor in Haiti, where tents are likely to be used to help health professionals screen and treat cholera victims.

Photo Credit: Alexis Masciarelli

Even as parts of Haiti were still recovering from a catastrophic 2010 earthquake, Hurricane Matthew tore through the impoverished island country 4 October, leaving hundreds dead and many more homeless.

The Category 4 storm affected an estimated 330,000 people in Haiti, including 6,400 who were moved to temporary shelters. Extensive damage to main bridges and other transportation networks have left some areas cut off and vulnerable. Torrential rains have resulted in flooding and landslides. And contaminated water supplies threaten to lead to a surge in cholera cases and other waterborne illnesses.

A ShelterBox response team of volunteers from Canada, England, New Zealand, and the United States traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, last week to assess the damage and decide how best to help people. ShelterBox, an independent charity, is Rotary's project partner for disaster relief.

Working with Rotary members, government authorities, and other relief agencies, ShelterBox is focusing on the cholera outbreak in the southern region of the island and emergency shelter. A shipment of ShelterBox supplies arrived in Les Cayes, in the south of Haiti, on Wednesday, which likely will be used to help health professionals screen and treat cholera victims.

"We hope to provide ShelterKits along with other crucial supplies like solar lights, mosquito nets, water purification units, and water carriers. All of which will help in the fight against cholera," says Chris Warham, chief executive of ShelterBox.

With wind speeds reaching 155 miles per hour, Hurricane Matthew is considered the worst storm to make landfall in Haiti in more than 50 years.

STORM'S PATH HITS UNITED STATES AND CANADA

The destructive path of the hurricane cut through communities in Florida, Georgia, and South and North Carolina, USA, and as far northeast as Nova Scotia, Canada, causing flooding, severe damage, injury, and death. Rotary members are working together to provide emergency supplies and help families find shelter.

"Rivers are still rising and expected to crest on Sunday," says Rusine Mitchell Sinclair, governor of District 7710 in North Carolina. "We'll work with our neighboring districts to provide relief once the flooding has peaked and we can get in to assess what's needed."