A letter to DG John from Karalyn Hingston from Food Plant Solutions
Dear DG John
I am writing this having just heard about the closing of borders in WA, SA, Tasmania, as well as many borders between countries around the world. I am sure we will hear more news like this for many days ahead.
I am aware that the COVID-19 virus has necessitated many Rotary Clubs to suspend Rotary meetings till further notice, as my club has done. I also know that some major fundraising programs have been cancelled because of the virus. But Rotary work does not stop. In fact I am sure we will be called upon to support many people in our communities who will be doing it hard at this time. Many of us have never faced a time like this.
But I ask you for just a minute to think of a family, who is living in a country like Cambodia, Cameroon, Uganda, Nepal, Tanzania, Vietnam and Ethiopia where they are worried about the COVID-19 virus, but they haven’t even the basics of food security to prevent malnutrition for their families. If there was ever a time when these countries desperately needed our support it is now. GO’s and Rotary Clubs are trying to make a difference in their lives.
They are committed to taking them out of poverty permanently. Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group has been asked to provide educational materials for many of these groups, to enable them to assist their communities to develop gardens to tackle malnutrition and ensure food security. To do this we need assistance from clubs to make this happen. We have at the moment requests for educational materials for all the countries above and we need assistance to produce these materials ASAP. This will cost about $48,000 in total.
I am sure we will be called upon to support many people in our communities who will be doing it hard at this time. Many of us have never faced a time like this.
But I ask you for just a minute to think of a family, who is living in a country like Cambodia, Cameroon, Uganda, Nepal, Tanzania, Vietnam and Ethiopia where they are worried about the COVID-19 virus, but they haven’t even the basics of food security to prevent malnutrition for their families. If there was ever a time when these countries desperately needed our support it is now.
NGO’s and Rotary Clubs are trying to make a difference in their lives. They are committed to taking them out of poverty permanently.
Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group has been asked to provide educational materials for many of these groups, to enable them to assist their communities to develop gardens to tackle malnutrition and ensure food security. To do this we need assistance from clubs to make this happen. We have at the moment requests for educational materials for all the countries above and we need assistance to produce these materials ASAP. This will cost about $48,000 in total.
I know a couple of clubs have applied for DDF to support them to support us in this tasks. My own club is involved.
But we urgently need more. Any small amount that a club could donate will be gratefully received. Many of us on the committee, have already used our money to assist in this process as we feel strongly that our work must continue.
Rotary Connects the world and we are all part of this world.
Thank you for considering my request.
Yours in Rotary
Una
PDG Una Hobday OAM
Chair
Food Plant Solutions Rotarian Action Group
PO Box 690
DEVONPORT TAS 7310
AUSTRALIA
Telephone +614 0941 2837
Facsimile + 61 3 6427 0801
Email - info@foodplantsolutions.org
Website - www.foodplantsolutions.org
Food Plant Solutions now incorporating Learn Grow, is a registered RAWCS project providing DGR status. Please contact us for details.