Last Week
As President Jean has already mentioned in her column our speaker was our AG, David Price.What was particularly interesting was that he worked in the family business recycling alloys and producing iron. He showed us some ice-hockey puck size samples.
And naturally, we will see more of him during the year.
We also had two visitors.
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Aderonke Adegoke Shobowalefrom the Rotary Club Mushin Golden, Nigeria |
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| Nash McRonzie from Rotary Club of Matopos, Zimbabwe |
Unfortunately we didn't have a banner with us to swop but President Jean will ensure her club does get one.
Dini Condy kindly donated one of her paintings following the Rotary Art Festival. The price on it is R9 000. If you would like it please make an acceptable offer to Jean Bernardo
This Week
Our Speaker is Major Carin Holmes of the Salvation Army.
Carin is a Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn. She will be talking about the work the Salvation Army does with sex workers and human trafficking.
So what was I, Major Carin Holmes, doing mingling with these women on this dark, cold night of May 1? I had joined Major Margaret Stafford of our Port Elizabeth Central Corps (church) and two volunteers on their traditional first-Friday-of-the-month walkabout in PE’s sleaziest streets, reaching out to these unfortunate women to show our love and support. We were also rubbing shoulders with pimps, drug runners, hoboes and other lost souls many would write off as ‘derelicts’. What an eyeopening experience!
Not surprisingly, Major Margaret and her band of volunteers are a familiar sight among the dark and shadowy figures. Once again we met and mixed with them, listening to their stories and encouraging them to unburden their pain. For they are, indeed, in pain – emotional and frequently physical. For those who use their services can be vicious.
Our church is in the heart of this area, where the nightlife is dynamic. Up the road are numerous ‘straight’ bars, a gay bar, an ‘adult world’, and the Red Door, a gentlemen’s lounge. The smells are amazing as the little spaza shops compete with the mielie braaiers and the fruit sellers.
The tantalizing aroma of coffee soon attracts passers-by to the church grounds where a group of young volunteers has assembled to play gospel music. Old and young stop for a coffee and a chat.
Our little band of four has not come empty-handed. We have a bag filled with hand-knitted scarves, and another filled with small gifts (like hand cream or soap), each with a hand-written note expressing God’s love for the recipient. The gifts are a great ice-breaker when we introduce ourselves to the ‘Ladies’ and ask if we may pray with them and hear their stories.
Throughout our ramble in a ten-block radius from the church, we meet many of the 20 women whose beat this is. Sarah* (28) has been on the streets for two months, forced into prostitution because the father of her two-year-old is in jail and she knows no other way to support her family. Lindi*(30) is an accountant but can’t find a job. Like the others, Precious* (28) fervently wishes for other employment.
And so the night progresses. Some women welcome us with open arms, like old friends – which we are. All welcome the gifts, quickly donning
the scarves to prevent the wind’s bite. When Thandi* thanks us and says: “I’m happy tonight. This gift makes me feel special.” she echoes the others’ thoughts.
the scarves to prevent the wind’s bite. When Thandi* thanks us and says: “I’m happy tonight. This gift makes me feel special.” she echoes the others’ thoughts.
A beautiful woman, Christine* (25) is on the streets because she knows no other way to support her two kids. In tears she asks: “What do you do when your landlord sees you have things for your children so demand more money? I want a way out – please help me?” We give her a number to phone and leave her with hope in her heart.
Anna’s* face betrays many of her 44 years on the streets, while Priscilla* (24) a matriculant who was attracted to the ‘easy money’ now also finds it difficult to leave. We tell her about Syasebenza (a learn-to-work programme) in Walmer and she promises to go there.
Erica* looks much younger than her claimed 24 years. She also looks scared and finds it difficult to talk to us.
Erica* looks much younger than her claimed 24 years. She also looks scared and finds it difficult to talk to us.
I’m amazed to see a sign advertising a crèche that’s open 24 hours a day. It’s for children from six months to six years of moms who work the night and collect them in the morning.
Following the region’s worst flooding in over a century, the Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland Donations Trust has launched an appeal for the Kerala Floods in India.
More than a million people are thought to have been forced to leave their homes, with the death toll estimated at 400.
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| Rotary members in India have launched the Kerala Flood Relief Centre to assist those impacted |
The Donations Trust is a registered charity, established in 2007, which collates donations and makes grants to Rotary projects working to rebuild communities in the long term, rather than acting as a first responder.
Immediate response
While the Donations Trust is focused on the long-term regeneration of affected communities, Rotary is involved in supporting in the immediate aftermath.
Typical projects include constructing and equipping school and community centres, rebuilding infrastructure or providing rescue vehicles.
Rotary-supported charity Aquabox provided an update on their Facebook page on Monday 20th August: “We hope to be shipping (air freight) filters pumps out later this week. The airports in Kerala are severely disrupted and we are seeking guidance on the ground for the best options for delivery.
“Initially the filters are destined for Karnataka/Kerala states and will be distributed with the help of the Rotary Club of Katapady and Invenger Foundation.”
Aquabox is also in contact with local Rotary clubs and members who are working involved with flood relief projects in order to enable the effective distribution of aid.
Water Survival Box, another Rotary-supported first responder is shipping 200 boxes to Kerala.
Water Survival Box is sending 200 boxes to Kerala with help from our good friends Khalsa Aid. Funds will be needed to replenish this stock so please help if you can. Details here watersurvivalbox.org/donate
Fellow emergency response charities Disaster Aid and ShelterBox are currently monitoring the situation in the country.
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