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ANNOUNCEMENTS
PDG Peter Neufeldt was in the Host/Moderator Chair, filling in for delayed President Jean-Marc;
Today, April 22 is Earth Day 2021;
President Jean-Marc Announced that he has advised DG Gailmarie Anderson and the District Council of his decision to step down as District Governor Nominee in response to increased employment related pressure;
"Tip of the Hat" to Rotarian Doug Keam for being included in a list of Canadians recognized during National Volunteer Week 2021, with a Sovereigns’ Medal For Volunteer, for his decades of volunteer service to Access Communications Cooperatives;
Thank you, W. Douglas Keam, for honoring us so regularly with your presence.
THE 1000 SURVIVAL GARDENS PROJECT!
PDG Peter filled another role and introduced our Guest Speaker, Gary Dawyduk, a member of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg. In his comments Peter advised that Gary is a lifetime Winnipegger who has long been interested in issues of anti-racism and social justice, while being a proponent of the equitable social and economic growth of developing nations. Through community activism Gary has been, and continues to be, especially involved with South Africa support projects.
Gary retired from his day job in 2019 and was recruited into the Rotary Club of Winnipeg one year later. He is currently serving on the World Community Services Committee for RC Winnipeg and is an active member of the committee, overseeing the "1000 Survival Gardens Project" in support of South African rural communities. It is this project that Gary and his colleague Rob Campbell, a member of the RC of Hillcrest, South Africa, came to share with us today.
Using power point slides and videos, Gary and Rob painted an inspiring story of the impact this project is having in a number of communities in the country of Kwazulu - Natal and yet to be realized potential. The RC of Winnipeg has a history of involvement in South Africa and was attracted by the unique needs seen in the country with its challenges. Challenges related to food security, the plight of Grandmothers (grandmother in Zulu is "gogo") who have assumed the role of creating "families" for orphans created by the AIDS pandemic. All this in a land where the beauty of a 1000 hills changes from lush green to dry arid land where accessible water is at a premium. The need described by the head of the United Nations Food Agency, "warned that as the world grapples with the COVID pandemic, many countries in Africa are also 'on the brink of a hunger pandemic' that could lead to multiple famines if immediate action isn't taken". COVID lockdown had the impact of creating a potential famine.
These Rotary Club partners interpreted what they say is a 2-fold challenge - first there was the immediate essential need to provide aid - like in food; with the 2nd to develop a sustainable option. The biggest hurdle to address was accessing water, a requirement for life. For generations of lifetimes, water needed to be carried from where it existed to where to it needed. Girls and women shared this burden by carrying 40 pounds of water in containers balanced on their heads. Then along came the Hippo Roller which presented itself as a safe efficient way of moving a much larger quantity of water with significant less person power.
In regard to the project, Gary indicated there were two inspirations for the creation of "The 1000 Survival Gardens Project", first the Hippo Roller which helps get the required water to the gardens and secondly, the Grandmothers (the "gogo's") who are the backbone for the community and are the gardeners. These two components set the stage for the "1000 garden dream", which resulted in creation of the Hippo Roller kit which includes everything required when planning a garden. This $250.00 kit makes all the difference in the world to the recipient family and community and ensures that not only will there be food for today but also for tomorrows. There are currently 200 Roller Kits in the hands of local "gogos", demonstrating that this is a successful venture and needs to expand.
Gary Dawyduk, Rotary Club of Winnipeg
Gary concluded their presentation by suggesting this project has a number of life and societal changing features, not the least of which is that it is about empowering women. He then challenged Clubs and individuals to consider contributing to this initiative, with the Winnipeg Club committed to match every Roller Kit donated by Rotary Clubs in District 5550. Now that is a challenge we should consider.
PDG Doug Mortin conveyed our appreciation to Gary and Rob for their quality presentation on a quality International Project.
A descriptive pamphlet of information on the project and how you can donate will be circulated tomorrow.
Hippo Roller
The Family of Rotary
Congratulations and best wishes to Regina Eastview member, Ralph Goodale, on his appointment to serve as Canada's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom - we are more than a little proud of you Ralph, and promise to continue to hold you in comparable high esteem;
Do not forget that it is Doug Mortin's Birthday tomorrow;
Shreedhar Jachak conveyed former member Ken Poon's warmest wishes to Eastview members. Thank you, Ken - please know our members send you our best wishes.
Ralph Goodale (courtesy Ann Grahame)
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Past President Richard Schwan was "Sergeant for the Day", a task he approached with appreciated caution;
Invitations to share our Earth Day 2021 activities was similarly approached with caution although 2 "worthy' examples were shared; Gary and Jessie Carlson are turnig off all their lights for one hour this evening (after dark, one would guess);
Ann Grahame shared that the 2 returning Canada geese, in their complex, are back for the 5th or 6th year and are "pooping" on the lawn, which Ann saw as "earthy".
Hope to see you all next week.
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“Courage is, with love, the greatest gift. We are, each of us, defeated many times – but if we accept defeat with cheerfulness, and learn from it, and try another way – then we will find fulfilment.”
Rosanne Ambrose - Brown
Today's guests
Wonderful to welcome guest from around the world, including Jessie Carlson, guest of husband Gary; Guest Speakers/Visiting Rotarians Gary Dawyduk and Rob Campbell from the RCs of Winnipeg and Hillcrest (South Africa) respectively; Bob Durston (Neepawa), and Carole Bryant and Doug Keam (Regina).
