The Madiba Buggy Initiative, the Anns bring Christmas Cheer and letters of thanks for donations made on behalf of the Vocational Awards recipients....

From the Pen of the President....

Dear fellow Rotarians and friends,

 

I said a Christmas Prayer for you, because the Season’s near,

I did not ask for riches, but for gifts so much more dear.

I asked for Joyful gatherings with your friends and family all around,

And for Carols to inspire you with their old familiar sound.

I asked for quiet moments in your heart on Christmas morn,

For a Special time to celebrate the Saviour who was born.

I asked for friends to send their best so you might know they care.

I asked for Peace and Love and Hope and I know God heard my Prayer.

 

My best wishes to you all.

Ann

 

Last Friday.....

....Costa Qually was given the opportunity to share his journey with an initiative that has changed the lives of desperate cerebral palsy children and their carers forever.

If cerebral palsied children are not seated correctly, they cannot eat or speak properly. Their muscles are unhindered to shorten into a pattern of spasticity and their little bodies become twisted and "stuck". Wrists and ankles dislocate spontaneously from abnormal spasm and they live in terrible pain. 

Socially, they are often put on the floor and only ever see feet while those around them are making eye contact with one another. 

Older children are heavy and are often left at home when the family goes out.

About 10 years ago Marilyn Bassin began renovating used specialized wheelchairs for profoundly cerebral palsied children. She needed spares from the suppliers but they were often unaffordable.

 Tutty Faber introduced Marilyn to Rotary and Jerry Bernardo immediately volunteered to make tray tables and foot plates for baby size buggies. Sadly Jerry was called to higher service shortly before he would have attended the first outreach which took Marilyn and her team of volunteers to Thohoyandou, Limpopo in November 2021.

A buggy given as early as possible in a CP child's life is the best gift one can give. A new buggy costs R22 000,  this initiative renovates for R4 200.

Since that first Outreach the Rotary Club of Rosebank and also the Anns have been integral in assisting with the refurbishment and transport of the wheelchairs, blanket collection and e-pap donation and taking part in the three further Outreaches to Dundee and Ladysmith KZN, Alice and Fort Beaufort - Eastern Cape and Eshowe and Nkandla KZN.

Costa finished off his presentation with some very profound words:

The Rosebank Rotary Anns bringing Christmas Cheer...

The Rotary Anns of Rosebank have been busy spreading some Christmas cheer to those less fortunate. A group of Anns recently visited Gerald Fitzpatrick House and Nursing Home in Bertrams. There are 79 ladies resident there in various types of accommodation, including Frail Care. The Anns gave a tea party and distributed gift bags which included foodstuffs, clothing, toiletries, as well as household items for the “independent” residents. We also had a raffle, having given each lady a ticket – prizes were costume jewellery and table linen. The morning went very well and the residents were most appreciative.

Another recent project was our annual donation of baby hampers to Rahima Moosa Mother and Baby Hospital. These are given to mothers of the first baby boy and baby girl born on Christmas Day and also on New Year’s Day, as well as any other mothers and babies whom the staff feel are needy and deserving. The hampers include baby clothes, toiletries, blankets and soft toys. Once again the gifts were well received in these particularly challenging times.

Letters of Thanks from our Vocational Service Award Recipients....

From Ruth Stubbs...

Dear Ann,

 

I trust that you are well.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the Rotary Vocational Service Award which I received this time last week.

Other than being an honour, it is also extremely humbling.

 

The work I do for the Paige Project within communities reflects not only what we as an NPO believe in but what each of us, as individuals within the NPO believe in.

I am privileged to work for the most phenomenal men whose tireless efforts in raising funds so that we can continue to do the work we do in itself is inspiring.

 

The award therefore was accepted on their behalf too because as a team we strive to improve the lives of children with disabilities within the communities we serve.

 

Many thanks once again.

Warm regards,

Ruth

 

This was the last edition of the Ramble for 2022......

See you all again at the first meeting on the 6th of January, either in person or on Zoom.

It will be a social meeting.