PDG Simon Manning visits Kiribati with DG Ingrid Waugh and PDG Jennie Herring. 'Ever since I had to go to Nauru for work (yes, work, but that is another story) I have wanted to go to Kiribati to have a look around'.
Rotary in Kiribati closed a couple of years ago, and this year DG Ingrid and PDG Jennie were heading off to Kiribati to launch a Rotary International Community Corp, this is a group of volunteers that are sponsored by a Rotary Club in this case it is the Otahuhu Club in 9920.
While we were there, we undertook a scoping exercise to arrange the setting up of a new Rotary Club, which all going well should be up and running later this year. Kiribati has a population of approximately 111,000 people and the highest point on the Main Island is 3 meters above sea level. Kiribati is the poorest of all Pacific Island countries
.If there was ever a place where Rotary could make a difference it is Kiribati. Unemployment is 60% in some villages; water is supplied via community wells. Everywhere you look there are issues which need to be sorted. The rubbish on the island is everywhere, sewerage is another major problem. One in eighteen children die before they reach the age of 18. If you think there is a problem now wait for another 5-10 years as the young population gets older with little hope for employment.
The social problems will increase. I came away with an overwhelming feel that Kiribati is a disaster in the making. The people are lovely, gentle and kind, but they need our help. We visited a Hydroponics Project that our district is participating in along with other districts in New Zealand. This is just the start of what we could be doing. If you club would like to participate in an international project next year, then do consider Kiribati.
As soon as the new Rotary Club has been formed, we will have ample opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those living in Kiribati.