Our International Chairman this year
is:
Rtn. Barry Scrutton
The International evening for this Rotary year will have a Indian Theme.
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We have two unique ways of helping people overseas who find themselves affected by disaster. I encourage all members to help those less fortunate than ourselves in either of the following ways.
(1)
The Aquabox scheme. (Thanks
go to the Rotary Club of Wirksworth for the following text
)
Disasters come in many forms - earthquake; cyclone; flood; refugee displacement - but all share a common factor. The most urgent single problem facing the relief agencies is the provision of a supply of safe drinking-water. The Solution is AQUABOX, a robust plastic tank with water purification tablets and packed with essential welfare items for a disaster situation. Once the welfare contents have been removed, each AQUABOX can be used to purify up to 1100 litres (240 Gallons) of polluted water, making it safe and pleasant to drink. which equates to 5000 cups of clear clean water. Go to http://www.aquabox.org/intro.asp for more info.
(2) The Rotary Shoe Box scheme.
Originally started in District 1280 in 1994, the Rotary Shoebox Scheme was at that time intended to provide children of Iasi, in north-east Romania with Christmas gifts. Since then, the scheme has become an RIBI International Project and every District in RIBI is involved in this popular Scheme. Boxes about the size of a shoebox are filled with toys or presents for children who otherwise would receive presents on Birthdays, Christmas, or on their own religious holidays.
Gifts are now sent out throughout the year to many different countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Toys are especially useful all year round for Birthday presents in the Orphanages, Homes and Hospitals. All age groups, including teenagers, have welcomed the boxes. Go to http://www.rotary1280.org/shoebox/ for more details.