Costa Qually, a Zambian Rotary Visitor, Business Meeting and RI and a Visually Impaired Initiative.

Last Week

Our new member, Costa Qually, is no stranger to Rotary as he is a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Parktown Excalibur.
He gave us what used to be a "My Job Talk" but now-a-days most people are jobless so he gave us an entertaining outline of his career as a chartered accountant and before.
It was quite fascinating as schooling and living has never been far from Wanderers so I am sure he will feel at home with us.

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It seems that every week we have a visiting Rotarian and this time it was George Kanja from the Rotary Club of Maluba, Zambia.  Here he exchanges banners with President Lyn.



This Week 
It's a Business Meeting and President Lyn has said quite a bit about it in her weekly column.  I would just add that the two prime movers behind the proposed new Rotary Club........they decided that they should aim to be their own club rather than a satellite club.......will be visiting us for the Business Meeting partly so that they can see what we get up to and to introduce themselves.  Please make them feel at home.  Our Club is prepared to be the new club's sponsors.
I will be attending their steering committee meeting afterwards in Brixton as I am the District Governor's Representative for the new club's formation.

The Ramble
Some members have told me that they are not receiving the Ramble despite being on the address list.
I will be splitting the groups as that could be the problem.
If you are receiving it now and you missed out in the past please let me know.  If you are still not receiving this it's unlikely you will be reading this!

Our Club's continuing support for the White Cane Project is very much in line with Rotary's objectives:

Rotary partners with International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

Victoria Sheffield, vice president of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and John Hewko, Rotary International general secretary, sign the partnership agreement.

About 80 percent of the world's 285 million visually impaired people have treatable eye diseases, according to the World Health Organization. Rotary and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) aim to promote eye health to underserved communities.   

Under the one-year partnership signed today by Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko and Vice President of IAPB Victoria Sheffield, Rotary clubs can partner with IAPB member agencies to provide access to continuous eye care and blindness prevention services such as eye exams, cataract screenings and treatment, and diabetic eye examinations and follow-up services. 

“IAPB champions the belief that in the 21st century no one should have to live with avoidable blindness or sight loss,” said Rotary General Secretary John Hewko. “Rotary also sees global health as a core priority. With IAPB’s expertise, and the power of Rotary’s volunteer network, we will strengthen our ability to transform the lives of millions of people who live with a visual impairment.” 

"The impact of blindness prevention efforts is lasting and has a palpable effect at the local level. This service partnership agreement will help eye care agencies and hospitals tie-up with local Rotary clubs to deliver positive, lasting eye care to local communities" noted Victoria Sheffield, CEO, International Eye Foundation and Vice-President, IAPB. “Eye care work will greatly benefit from the passion, energy, and support of Rotary members worldwide”.

IAPB’s mission is to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment by bringing together governments, non-governmental agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of sustainable eye care programs. 

Rotary members develop sustainable projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, and grow local economies. The recent partnership will help clubs further their efforts to provide disease prevention and treatment and maternal and child health programs worldwide. Over the past three years, nearly a quarter of a million people benefited from Rotary’s interventions for disease prevention and maternal and child health, supported by almost $100 million awarded through its grants programs.