This week we enjoyed having two speakers Richard Molitor and Linda Guirey. This was a New Zealand first and probably a first for Rotary where two former exchange students came and shared their experiences since their scholarships some 40 years ago!
Richard, an inbound student in 1975 told us that upon his return to the US he finished school and attended the University of Washington from where he graduated in 1982 with a degree in pharmacy. He went on to travel, including to New Zealand before settling down to a role in hospital pharmacy.
Our exchange student for the 2017/2018 year gave us a small glimpse of who Christopher is. Christopher has now settled into his New Zealand life. He spoke of how pleased he is to now attend school that started at a more civilised time as opposed to the early starts in Denmark, his home country.
Christopher gave us a brief insight into his life in Haderslev, a city of about 56,000 people in the southern part of Denmark that he calls home. Christopher lives with his parents, brother and sister in a typical European yellow brick house. He likes to read, play video games and watch TV series and says he works hard at his studies. In his spare time, Christopher likes tramping, an interest he can no doubt continue in New Zealand.
Last Monday Kelvin Davies updated the Club re progress for the year 2020 Anniversary.
During a meeting of the Past Presidents in Y2012 this important milestone for the Club was noted and it was decided, subject to Board approval, to establish a 50th Anniversary Committee.
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population.
Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
Extract from Geoffrey Amos to Del Johnston, emailed dated 20th September
“Currently we have a team of 4 workers on Kioa Island painting the school buildings. It is their 70th Anniversary of the first settlers arriving from Tuvalu Island and they wanted the school to look good.
We have just finished a big walk way at Holy Cross College outside the boys dorm. The Principal was so happy he got the boys to re concrete the path around the girls dorm, then asked us to put a new roof on the girls ablution block.
The Cyclone and white ants caused the loss of the roof. Great to have a good reputation for quality work and be appreciated for the work we do. Without the support of Clubs like Pakuranga this would not happen.
Stuart Thomson's “Building for Cyclones “ book has been more helpful than I can believe. He has taught us a lot and for this and other contributions he has made, his knowledge survives”.
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) develops Rotarians as leaders for the future by providing Rotary Learning and Information
A fun, two‐day, interactive seminar that builds Rotary knowledge and develops leadership skills.
The RLI course curriculum is set and updated by the International Rotary Leadership Institute. Trained RLI Facilitators are Rotarians chosen for both their Rotary knowledge and facilitation abilities.
Reserve a place on Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October 2017
If you could help as a driver, that would be really great. The delivery does not need to happen on the 26 September - You could do it on the 27 September.
You do not need a big car – we can borrow a van for you.
We just need a driver with some time please.
Contact Richard Purchase if you can help 021679 967
From a young age Adriana Christie, co-owner of Pallet Kingdom, knew she wanted to get into social enterprise. At the age of 13, having grown up surrounded by poverty, she had the very mature realisation that if you don’t have a business and you don’t generate revenue then you can’t help people. Now, with Pallet Kingdom, Christie is turning that idea into a reality.
Working to help those in need was always going to be a major part of Christie's life after growing up in Bogota, Colombia. Her New Zealand born grandparents had a "life calling" to go to South America and work with the poor and her parents ran an orphanage. The children, who she so happily describes as her brothers and sisters, also served as a daily reminder of the country's poverty.
5 things you might not know about ending polio The road to eradicating polio has been a long and difficult one, with Rotary leading the fight since 1985. Going from nearly 350,000 cases in 1988 to just 10 so far this year has required time, money, dedication, and