Minutes of June 23, 2014 meeting

Announcements

 Nash-Golf Tournament was a resounding success. Thanks to Cyril and Glen for spearheading the planning with the Newmarket Club . Special thanks to Paul T. We hope to have raised $4.5k to $5k.

Dave T.- reminder of  Turnover Night this Sat. at Shelagh’s. Dave will send map by e-mail link. Starts at 4:00 with Dinner around 6:00. Don’ t forget your food contributions!

Special Speakers- Lynn Bird and Frank Smith from Art Building Children’s Dreams
                                                                          (centered in Tanzania)

Nash introduced Frank , a retired visual arts teacher who went with Rotary in 2006 to Tanzania and soon after started ABCD.

Nash introduced Lynn Smith, Rotarian from Newmarket for over 20 years. She had done a presentation to our Club when the program was just beginning. Our Club was part of a grant to buy a kitchen in one of the schools there.

Frank started by thanking the Club for a warm welcome and our past support. ABCD is a registered Cdn. Charity with a volunteer Board of Directors.
The schools supported are in Tanzania in East Africa with the majority of students at the secondary level , educated in a British school system.

According to Unesco Statistics-
Primary school completion rate is 72%
Secondary school completion rate is 45%
Post secondary completion rate is 1%

 ABCD started at the beginning by paying the school fees for students to attend as well as their uniforms and supplies. This year they are also providing Breakfast programs. Students` academics and behaviour has improved. They also support Libraries in primary schools. Books have been donated from Canada and there is also a need for textbooks in the higher grades. Computer classrooms have been started in the Vocational Training Centre and Secondary School. They are now funding school kitchens of which our Club has supported.

They have also funded 3 school toilets and a real need for healthy toilets. They are working on a solar light program so students can study at night. There is also a Cow Loan program where pregnant cows are bought, given to families and the milk sold to support the family. A real need for Girl Personal Care Kits so girls can attend school during their menstrual days.

Paul Thomas has volunteered there with 6 others.
How the RH Club can help--
Cow loan program- $1300, laptops ( donation or funds to purchase), primary school library $3000., post-secondary scholarships-$2000., school toilets- $16-30k.

For more info or support e-mail is  www.abcdreams.ca

Glen thanked Frank and Lynn for a thorough and commendable presentation. Paul Thomas has often said  ``education is the answer``` Our Club will continue to support.
Glen now supports one of these students.

50-50 winner - Peppe