This week Past President Terry Carson made a surprise visit to Pakuranga Rotary and updated attendees with his community school projects in North Pakistan.
Terry was introduced into Rotary by Bill Duncan, joined Pakuranga Rotary in its first year, and was elected President in 1979/80. He operated a successful engineering consultancy business in Auckland, sold out and then established a similar operation in Sydney. He continues today as a Rotarian in Sydney.
He visited Pakistan in 1992 to travel over a 5,000 metre pass and during this visit he was shocked to come across a two room mud building which was the local school. Pupils sat on a bare floor and resources were very sparse. This was his first re build project and the work has continued over some 26 years. During this time he has had to contend with corruption in a number of government agencies including the local police. One of the benefits of working in North Pakistan was the absence of building codes and regulatory requirements. Often the land for a school project is supplied by local families.
Terry acknowledged the support for the project that he has received from family and his company directors.
It is pleasing to see an ex member of our Club making a difference on the world stage.