Evening meeting with Speaker Kevin Simpson

On Thursday 26th October 2017 President Lindsay Roy welcomed 17 Club Rotarians, and 5 guests Rev Alan Kimmett, Kay Johnson, Wilma Page, Derek Stahly and Ian Oates also guest speaker Kevin Simpson to this evening meeting which was held at the Gilvenbank Hotel, Glenrothes. 

On reception this week were Chris Grist who said Grace and Gerald Cameron.

Six apologies for absence were received.

SVP Anne Sampson advised members that we had received a letter from Shelter box thanking us for the cheque for £450 which will go towards supporting those in disaster areas.

Our speaker today was Kevin Simpson of Malawi Fruits. Trustees are volunteers who regularly visit Malawi and over the last few years they have been involved in initiating and supporting several projects as they have seen the significant impact that emerging small and medium sized businesses can have in the growth of the local economy. Malawi Fruits was registered as a Scottish Charity in 2011 with a plan to initiate new businesses and then support them to become independent.

As the charity has grown and they have built up their resource and expertise they have become very involved with smallholder farmers. They encourage the farmers to see there smallholding as a business and they are providing support and training to help develop these fledgling businesses so they can maximise their income and provide for the education and healthcare needs of their families. Malawi Fruits are working on a three stage development programme for the farmers to support them to grow a cash crop, often for the first time. to irrigate the land so the farmer can get two crops per year and to provide crop processing facilities to add value to the crops and further drive up the farmers’ income.

Wilna Roger presented a cheque for £100 to Kevin to go towards purchasing a solar powered future pump.

The Rotary Vote of thanks was given by Wilna Roger.This week’s meeting on Thursday 2^nd November 2017 will be revert to a Lunch time meeting to be helld at the change of venue for this week only at Pinkertons Function Suite Glenrothes.please meet 12.55pm for starting at 12.55pm on reception, will be Murray Grubb and Peter May. The speaker this week will be from Glenrothes High School speaking about the world challenge.

If you were interested in supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome