" Rotarians & Interactors making a difference in Refilwe & it's surrounding communities ,South Africa 2013"

Magdalen Leung came to day to tell us about her Rotary project in Refilwe. S.A.

What an amazing story.

It all began 7 years ago with Magdalen’s visit to South Africa and her listening to a report on the Refliwe project at a local Rotary Club.  She was so inspired by this speaker she visited the camp to see for herself.  It was more than 2 hours away by car but she got a ride with a Rotarian.

Once there she met Michael, a small boy who she took to and befriended.

She asked him if she could give him 3 wishes what would they be.  As an orphan he asked for daily love and compassion, a book to call his own and not to be hungry every day.  To go to bed at night felling well fed. 

Magdalen came back to Vancouver and set about sending aid and supplies to their camp.

Her club in coordination with other clubs sent 3 containers of supplies to them but she soon realised their needs were so much more.

What they really needed was a commercial kitchen on the premises so that they could feed themselves daily and also train their young people in food handling and preparation leading to a career in  cooking.

Magdalen raised  a total of $300 000 and went back this summer with a whole party of helpers to set about building that kitchen.

She took 5 Interactors from Hugh Boyd high school, 3 UBC students, 4 firefighters, 3 teachers and 2 Rotarians.  All paid their own way there.

Most of the adults had previous construction experience.

On the plane they took 56 pieces of luggage.  They needed to build a house and extend the roof of another to provide a covered area outside to get the students out of the weather elements.

They created a new pre school.

Rotarians saw the change in the kids they took with them.   It opened their hearts to opportunity and everyone wanted to go back again.

It was so hard to select which kids could go with them.

The Interactors worked for one year doing planning and fund raising.  They had to pay 50% of their own costs.

They raised $6,800 towards their trip.

Magdalen was thanked by President Davinder