Cuthbert Gumbochuma chatted about himself. We expected it to be entertaining and it was. There seem to be so many siblings I wondered if they ever got together, formed cricket or soccer teams or whatever! Thanks Mirirai Cuthbert for a most enjoyable talk. 
As you can see, rapt attention from the club!
We had two new visiting Rotarians from Panama, of all places. It certainly increases our Worldwide Spread!
 |
| Exchanging Banners with President Jean, Jackie & Mark Kendziorek of the Rotary Club of Playa Coronado, Panama |
El Club Rotario de Playa Coronado es un club bilingüe en el área de "Playas del Pacífico" de Panamá, fundado en junio de 2014. Somos un grupo de hombres y mujeres de diferentes nacionalidades que han hecho de Coronado su hogar. Estamos dedicados a implementar programas que ayuden a los necesitados en la comunidad local. Les damos la bienvenida a las personas, rotarios e invitados para que nos acompañen a almorzar los martes a las 12:00 PM en el restaurante Nazca 21 en Coronado y vean de qué se trata.
The Rotary Club of Playa Coronado is an English/Spanish speaking club in the "Pacific beaches" area of Panamá, chartered in June 2014. We are a group of men and women of different nationalities that have made Coronado their home. We are dedicated to implementing programs that help those in need in the local community. We welcome individuals, visiting Rotarians and guests to join us for lunch on Tuesdays at 12:00 PM at Nazca 21 restaurant in Coronado and see what we are all about.
Drinking water supply
Buenos Aires is one of the eleven towns in the County of Chame in the province of Panama West, Republic of Panama. According to the 2010 census, Buenos Aires has a population of 2,030 inhabitants.
The community is supplied with water by a rural aqueduct in very poor condition. The residents pay a monthly voluntary maintenance fee of $1.00/household to receive water for approximately one hour each day. The water supply is unreliable and unhealthy, causing regular disruptions and non-supply, often lasting several days. The current water source is 5 kilometers away in a spring near the neighboring town of Chicá. The aqueduct works by gravity and recently the little water available is affected by a real estate project which bought land which includes the spring’s location. This puts the inhabitants and school at even greater risk.
The Rotary Club of Playa Coronado proposes to construct a new water source, fix the reservoirs and distribution system, put a filtration system and have workshops at the school about the importance of water.
The proposed project in the middle of a study: A professional engineer was engaged to study the problem at no cost and already proposed a solution. A Rotary Grant will be written and applied for by The Rotary Club of Playa Coronado and international partner clubs are needed.
We have determined that the cost of the project will be around $30,000 just for materials. Labor work will be required by the people of the Community and the City Hall of Chame.
The Weekend
It was our final collection at Spar Norwood for the year. Here 's just one of the trolleys.
We really appreciate what Spar does for us.
 |
| DG Charles Deiner addresses us at the start. |
Unlike many voluntary organisations Rotary is well aware of the problems it faces in today's world and because there is intellect at the top it means that there is a vision for the future and this certainly is not the case with many such organisations. That's why Rotary has survived for so long and will no doubt manage to adapt to face the problems we face as an organisation at all levels.
This Week
It's the Christmas Lunch at Parkview Golf Club and we will be there in strength, I'm delighted to say.
Our President is hoping that we will wear something to mark the occasion and this is what she will be wearing amongst other things, I hope.
This will be the last Ramble until next year when I will include the Christmas Lunch pictures.
Rotary honored Theresa May, prime minister of the United Kingdom, with the Polio Eradication Champion Award for her leadership and political support toward ending polio.
Alistair Burt, left, the UK minister of state for international development and minister of state for the Middle East, accepts the Polio Eradication Champion Award from RI President Barry Rassin
Rotary International President Barry Rassin presented the prestigious award to Alistair Burt, the UK minister of state for international development and minister of state for the Middle East, at a round table discussion on polio eradication on 27 November in London, England.
Rassin told Burt, who accepted the award on May’s behalf, that the UK has repeatedly demonstrated an unwavering commitment toward a polio-free world.
“Britain’s leadership in making multiyear commitments in support of global polio eradication has been an example for other countries to follow,” Rassin said. He added that flexible funding from the UK has given the Global Polio Eradication Initiative more resources to respond quickly to “dynamic needs.”
Under May’s leadership in 2017, the UK pledged about $130 million to the GPEI for 2017-19, bringing the country’s cumulative support for polio eradication to $1.6 billion — second only to the United States. May has also been a strong advocate for other countries in the G-20 and G-7 to maintain their financial and political support for a polio-free world, Rassin said.
Rotary established the Polio Eradication Champion Award in 1996 to recognize heads of state, health agency leaders, and others who have made significant contributions to ending polio. Past recipients include Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.