Everywhere we look, peace is under attack.
From Gaza, to Sudan, to Ukraine and beyond we see:
Civilians in the firing line;
Homes blown apart;
Traumatised, terrified populations who have lost everything – and sometimes everyone.
This catalogue of human misery must stop.
Our world needs peace.
Peace is the ultimate prize for all humanity.
And as this International Day of Peace reminds us – the solutions are in our hands.
Rotary Peace Monument, Wagga Wagga. Wagga Wagga was the first city in the World to become a Rotary Peace City in February, 1993 |
As most of you are aware we have been working for what seems like a long time on the design for the toilet blocks at the Aladura Primary School in Buedu in the far East of Sierra Leone. The design work is now completed, Contractors have been engaged and the construction work will commence in the next couple of weeks. The toilet blocks will be built in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bo in Sierra Leone whom we have been working with for many months now.
The photo below shows the Sierra Leone Taskforce and the plaque that will be fixed to each toilet block to show Rotary’s involvement in the project.
Geoff Widmer, Amelia Anderson, Isaiah Lahai, PP Don Moore, President Peter Moore, PP Richard Blakeman Absent Paul Shekleton |
The application by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie to be formally accepted as a Peacebuilder Club has been approved by the Rotary Action Group For Peace. As a Peacebuilder Club, Rotary Glenferrie will consciously choose to focus on peace and assist in furthering Rotary's mission to “enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace.” This will involve the initiation of new projects specifically aimed at promoting peace, as well as recognising that many of the club's existing projects already promote peace, understanding and goodwill among families and communities.
Please embrace this new path for the club and nominate to become a member of the club's new Peacebuilder Committee Contact Foundation Director Joanne Shentu: Click here to enlist.
Some of our members may recall Mike Englefield of the Eltham Rotary Club speaking to us about this competition 18 months ago. The competition was started in 2002 to provide sporting opportunities to assist building the self-esteem of individuals with intellectual disability or who are otherwise disadvantaged. We were invited to become involved as many of the games are played at MLC in Kew.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie was well represented at the Rotary Donations in Kind Open Day on August 10th. The massive warehouse containing donated goods was busting at the seams with valuable merchandise just waiting for a club project, and with eager Rotarians looking for opportunities. The sausage sizzle didn't do day any harm either.
Rotary DIK, a D9800 initiative, accepts donations of all sorts of goods which, in partnership with Rotary clubs in Australia, it ships to those in need both within Australia and to countries around the globe. Truly recycling at its best!
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie was well represented at the DIK open day on Saturday August 10th 2024. International Service Director Amelia Anderson and Sierra Leone Project Lead Isaiah Lahai noted many opportunities for future projects, both within Australia and in support of communities in Sierra Leone. The container is bound for Tonga loaded to the brim with donated medical and dental equipment. |