Kirkham Rotary International Service

On Thursday 5th May the Rotary Club of Lunesdale held its 41st Charter Evening celebration dinner at the Bentham Golf Club. It was attended by 90 people which included Rotary Club members their partners, families and friends.

We were delighted to welcome also District 1190 Governor Arthur Jones, District International Chair Derek Timms and fellow Rotarians from 8 other Rotary Clubs. Guests enjoyed an excellent meal, an address by President John Dale, an address by the District Governor and were entertained by the popular well known entertainer Norman Price.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the International Recognition Award by Arthur Jones to Rotarian Duncan Hamlett of the Lunesdale Club and to Rotarian Peter Doughty of the Kirkham & Rural Fylde Club.

Last year, owing to the persistent and determined efforts of both of these Rotarians, 15 Under Six Centres, part of the Mary's Meals Charity in Malawi, were awarded an International Global Grant of £79,000. 29 Rotary Clubs, mainly in District 1190, made financial contributions to this, the biggest project ever undertaken by the District.

This grant will ensure numerous improvements to 9 of these centres and complete fitting out of 6 nu- build Centres for nursery age children. Initially 3,000 toddlers and many more in future years will benefit from a daily meal, a start on the education highway plus trained helpers in nursery care all of which is aimed at giving them a better start in life.

The Global Grant was successfully gained from The Rotary Foundation to the sum of $122,222 ( Approx. £79,400). In the final stages funding came from 29 Clubs in 5 Districts.

Limbe Rotary Club has worked closely with Mary’s Meals to confirm contractor contracts and plan the details of how the work will be completed.

An initial request was made to Rotary Foundation for funding of two ‘lots’ and those monies were transferred into an account within the Limbe Club that is used only for financial transactions that are directly part of the Global Grant activity.

The following are the works description of Lots 1 to 5

Lot 1      Drilling of 2 Boreholes in Phalombe Region   The works are completed

Lot 2      Refurbishment of kitchens in 9 original U6 centres complete with the construction of outdoor cooking sheds in each of the centres. Works to be completed 7 May 2016

Lot 3      Completion of new build kitchens in 6 newly constructed shell locations as well as building outdoor cooking sheds in each of the centres. Works to be completed 7 July 2016

Lot 4     Construction of Double brick stoves in 15 centres. Works to be completed 7 July 2016

Lot 5     Construction of double VIP Latrines in 15 centres. Works to be completed 21 August 2016

Lots 1 and 2 are already funded to Limbe. This covers over 60% of overall costs as bore holes are the major cost items involved in the programme.

The residual activity around volunteer training and the purchase of education resources will follow as the Centre refurbishment is completed to a level to be able to operate fully as described within the programme.

The only responsibilities remaining for ourselves as the International Host are to ensure appropriate monitoring is taking place and is passed to The Rotary Foundation as agreed within the Grant Application documentation.

District 1190 has already received funding of around £5000 to be used to further develop the support of the 15 Centres over time. The District International Service Committee will oversee this activity.

At this time the Club has no other International activity pending and there has been no recommendation yet as to suggested projects sponsored by the DG or District. The only large project within District that is actively seeking more funding is from Garstang and Over Wyre who continue to support further development of Sand Dams within Kenya.

Foundation

Foundation continue to request further funding of the Polio Eradication Programme.

Whilst this isnow entering what we can hope is the final push to clear the remaining few pockets of the disease this is always a lengthy process and adequate funding is not in place at this time to secure all the activity. I would ask that those deciding on where any remaining monies we have available look favourably at this issue.