INTERNATIONAL CAUSES
Shelterbox Australia, Disaster Aid Australia and Aquabox are three Australian international disaster relief programs that the Rotary Club of Seymour is proud to support. The priority of these programs is to ensure that people around the world who are in desperate need, largely as a result of the effects of natural disasters and conflict are provided with the tools and equipment for basic survival.
The ShelterBox program is always the first Rotary initiative on the scene after a disaster has happened. They offer an immediate emergency response by assessing what is required and supplying those in need with these boxes. The boxes contain a tent, blankets and ancillary materials, including; cooking pots, utensils and water. Everything needed to sustain life in the first few crucial weeks.
Disaster Aid sends in response teams after the initial crisis has been dealt with. They predominantly supply water pumps to turn contaminated water from gutters, pipes and wells into clean purified drinking water. These purifiers can produce 10,000 litres of clean drinking water a day. Disaster Aid also provide tanks and family survival packs.
Lastly, the Aquabox team provide essential lifesaving water tanks with filters and treatment tablets that can convert up to 2,000 litres of polluted water, making it safe and pleasant to drink. The boxes are also filled with emergency aid resources to reduce the effects of the aftermath of a disaster.
''We deliver innovative Australian-based humanitarian aid solutions to people in developing countries who have suffered loss following natural or other disasters. And, importantly, a new start.
Rotarians, working to rebuild communities ... together''
The ShelterBox program is always the first Rotary initiative on the scene after a disaster has happened. They offer an immediate emergency response by assessing what is required and supplying those in need with these boxes. The boxes contain a tent, blankets and ancillary materials, including; cooking pots, utensils and water. Everything needed to sustain life in the first few crucial weeks.
Disaster Aid sends in response teams after the initial crisis has been dealt with. They predominantly supply water pumps to turn contaminated water from gutters, pipes and wells into clean purified drinking water. These purifiers can produce 10,000 litres of clean drinking water a day. Disaster Aid also provide tanks and family survival packs.
Lastly, the Aquabox team provide essential lifesaving water tanks with filters and treatment tablets that can convert up to 2,000 litres of polluted water, making it safe and pleasant to drink. The boxes are also filled with emergency aid resources to reduce the effects of the aftermath of a disaster.
''We deliver innovative Australian-based humanitarian aid solutions to people in developing countries who have suffered loss following natural or other disasters. And, importantly, a new start.
Rotarians, working to rebuild communities ... together''
End Polio Now
Over the last 31 years Rotary has contributed more than US $1.5 billion and coordinated volunteer teams all over the world to vaccinate children against Polio. As a result, the number of people afflicted with the Polio wild virus has been reduced by over 99% from 356,000 to less than 20 a year and the number of countries that are Polio endemic has been reduced from 125 to only 2. These are Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Unlike most diseases, polio can be completely eradicated.
There are 3 strains of wild poliovirus, none of which can survive for long periods outside of the human body. If the virus cannot find an unvaccinated person to infect, it will die out. Type 2 wild poliovirus was eradicated in 1999 and case numbers of type 3 wild poliovirus are down to the lowest-ever levels. This has been done by more than 20 million volunteers worldwide who have collectively immunized nearly 3 billion children over the past 20 years.
Rotary's goal is to eradicate Polio completely by 2020.
Unlike most diseases, polio can be completely eradicated.
There are 3 strains of wild poliovirus, none of which can survive for long periods outside of the human body. If the virus cannot find an unvaccinated person to infect, it will die out. Type 2 wild poliovirus was eradicated in 1999 and case numbers of type 3 wild poliovirus are down to the lowest-ever levels. This has been done by more than 20 million volunteers worldwide who have collectively immunized nearly 3 billion children over the past 20 years.
Rotary's goal is to eradicate Polio completely by 2020.
Youth Exchange Programme
Each year about 7,000 young people (aged 16 to 18 years) spend up to a year living in another country under the auspices of Rotary International. These young people live with host families, learn about the culture of their new country, and continue their education. This is the largest youth exchange program in the world.
After many years we are again sponsoring a Youth Exchange Student for the 2018 year and will host an inbound in 2018-2019.
Our outbound student is BEN CHARLES, pictured below......
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our inbound student, Emilja Fihlman from Finland.
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Peace Scholar Program
The Rotary Foundation provides opportunities for young adults to earn a graduate degree in 'Peace and Conflict' studies. Seventy scholars attend one of 6 University Peace Centres located around the world per year. These are fully funded for two years. Assistance includes; tuition, rent, board and other expenses. These programs are designed to produce individuals who will contribute to major mediating roles for world peace.
International Service at Club Level
Lindy with one of the villagers.
John Fawcett Foundation - Bali project
Local residents Mike and Lindy Laker have travelled to Bali for many years helping the villagers in the mountains where no tourist dollars make it. The Lakers have supplied rice, books, mattresses and so much more. Their vision this year was to get the John Fawcett Foundation eye care van to go the remote village. The cost of this initiative was $2700.00 which our club gladly contributed. The Balinese people were given cataract surgery if needed and glasses to others. The joy on these beautiful peoples faces was worth every cent. We hope to again partner with the Lakers next year.
Local residents Mike and Lindy Laker have travelled to Bali for many years helping the villagers in the mountains where no tourist dollars make it. The Lakers have supplied rice, books, mattresses and so much more. Their vision this year was to get the John Fawcett Foundation eye care van to go the remote village. The cost of this initiative was $2700.00 which our club gladly contributed. The Balinese people were given cataract surgery if needed and glasses to others. The joy on these beautiful peoples faces was worth every cent. We hope to again partner with the Lakers next year.
Seven Woman in Nepal
A Rotary Peace Fellow named Stephanie Woollard visited Nepal in 2007 and she began a grass roots development project to create change for seven women who were found operating out of a tin shed and enduring harsh discrimination as a result of being disabled. Seven Women founder Stephanie first met these women and invested in training in the hope that gaining a skill would give them a means to earn an income. Steph now designs what is sold herself and funds the project through the sale of the women's hand-made products. Through a dedicated and passionate team we have been able to establish four centres in Nepal (two in Kathmandu and two village projects) which have trained and employed over 900 women.
Our Project:
With effective development principles, we have created results which have empowered the women involved, also creating a flow-on effect into their communities.
Our goal is to:
The club looks forward to an ongoing partnership between us and Seven Women.
A Rotary Peace Fellow named Stephanie Woollard visited Nepal in 2007 and she began a grass roots development project to create change for seven women who were found operating out of a tin shed and enduring harsh discrimination as a result of being disabled. Seven Women founder Stephanie first met these women and invested in training in the hope that gaining a skill would give them a means to earn an income. Steph now designs what is sold herself and funds the project through the sale of the women's hand-made products. Through a dedicated and passionate team we have been able to establish four centres in Nepal (two in Kathmandu and two village projects) which have trained and employed over 900 women.
Our Project:
With effective development principles, we have created results which have empowered the women involved, also creating a flow-on effect into their communities.
Our goal is to:
- Build a social enterprise from which the entire supply chain benefits
- Spread awareness about fair trade and employ fair trade principles
- Allow others to experience the realities associated with creating social change through our You Tube clips, tours to Nepal, speaking engagements and marketing materials.
- Make fair trade and ethical buying the norm.
The club looks forward to an ongoing partnership between us and Seven Women.
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School of St Jude in Tanzania
Gemma Sisia an Aussie girl had a dream to start a school in Tanzania for the children whose parents could not afford to pay for their education. From humble beginnings the school now has 2000 and produces the best academic results in Tanzania today. Gemma realised her dream through the help of Rotary clubs assisting with funds and labour to build the school. It was heartwarming to be able to help Gemma continue her good work and see the results of the power of one woman with one dream!
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Destiny Rescue
Last year we were given an insight into the world of child slavery and prostitution and how this wonderful organisation rescue's these children and give them the life they deserve, teaching them new skills and removing them from poverty. We proudly supported Destiny Rescue and are proud in the knowledge we helped to rescue young girls from the horrific circumstances they were in.
New Hope Cambodia
Over several years we financially supported New Hope Cambodia, which is a village in Modul 3 village in Siem Reap.
Local resident Cheryl Elliott had lived there for several years and over that time we supplied uniforms to school children, suppiled sewing machines and bolts of fabric, to provide woman with new skills in industry. We built a canteen at their school, repaired water pumps for families, repaired houses and supplied mosquito nets and continued to provide support to enhance the lives of the poorest of poor who live in the villages.
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