Quint Club Meeting
Posted by Carole Berry
Minding the gap
All five clubs joined together for a fine evening of sharing and celebration on May 7th. 78 Rotarians and 1 Rotaractor (the guest speaker) attended.
MC Orlando Bowen made the evening very enjoyable with his professional and passionate approach, and he kept the event well on time.
DG Mike Gauthier thanked the Rotarians for their work during the past year, noting that membership remains a focus for Rotary.
DG Mike Gauthier thanked the Rotarians for their work during the past year, noting that membership remains a focus for Rotary.
Each club presented a “Special Contribution Award” to one member. The RC Brampton’s recipient was Dittie Voegele, who has demonstrated “Service Above Self” through her work in Tanzania, leadership to the Rotary Walk for Rapport, and anchoring the Sick & Visiting committee.
Keynote speaker on the Rotary theme of “Saving Mothers and Children “ was Christina Marchand, a undergraduate student at University of Waterloo study Public Health. While she has worked in several cooperative settings, she spoke of her profound experience in Uganda.
Assigned to teach leadership skills to health providers, she found herself in Maternity Clinics, working with very limited resources – and delivering babies. While many were successful, she recounted the loss of mothers and children routinely. Much is due to limited pre-natal care, few medical resources at the clinics including no facilities for caesarian deliveries – and the lack of such basic items as scissors and rubber gloves.
She titled her presentation as “Minding the Gap” and she is now working on the gap in medical supplies at Ugandan clinics. Along with Rotarian Hyder Hassan, she has formed FullSoul – a clothing line that will generate profits to fund medical supplies. She is also raising funds through speaking to groups with a goal of $10,000. In September she will return to Uganda and plans to equip 10 clinics with enough supplies to last for 20+ years (equipment can be reused as they do have sterilizers).
Christina also mentioned that Rotary has made a tremendous impact on her life – from her experience as an exchange student to Germany, RYLA, and Rotaract. The happy buck collection and sale of table centres generated $807 – which was given to FullSoul. This will purchase two $400 kits. Christina, still in her twenties, is a remarkable young woman’; her presentation was inspiring. Perhaps we can all find a “gap” to mind.