Rotary Meeting July 28

PP Ryan presided and introduced speakers Barb and Gary from the Penticton Rotary Club who spoke on their International project in Nothern Thailand.

They are supporting the Akha Hilltribe children with money and a hands-on construction of a school at the refuge site. There are 320 children at the site and while there is a public school system, it cannot handle all the kids in the way that they need to be taught. Education is the key to survival there and without it, the children are subjected to all kinds of abuses including child labor and sexual slavery. The school cost is $12,000 and their club will provide that and the labor to build it. They have 9 members committed and 9 others yet to decide and will head over there in mid-January for a week to help construct it. Barb suggested that our Club might want to be involved either with financial support or even some of our members might want to participate. They pay $27/day while there for food and board. Coincidentally, this is the same refuge at which I spent volunteer time over 5 years so it was neat to see that the kids were still being looked after.

In the picture are Barb and Gary and Sarah ....this was the last meeting for her as she flies home next Thursday. 

Jeff's ticket was the lucky draw and he then proceeded to pick the joker and win the $100! He is on holidays and suspects he will find a use for it!

Next week is Clubrunner awareness day so bring your notebooks, laptops, ipads etc. Also outbound Avry Coutu will speak on his Thailand plans.