Bulletin September21

Opening ceremonies performed with aplomb-Thank you team!

Guest of the day:

Kathy Thomas and Jennifer Buclater,

Fareem Sanji and Stephen Wellwerth ( on a mission to find a Rotary Club to join- glad he came tot he best one first!!!!)

Steven Lowerth a guest of Sheila's

Marg Torrance and Fran Gray  for Hands and Hearts for Hope

And of course our new exchange student Abraham.

Kelly Juliani from ROCK

Announcements:

Karmel commended the team responsible for yet another successful Leadership camp. Well done!

Glenn gave us an update on the Harbourtown Sound Male Chorus that will be performing at the BPAC on November the 26th from 2-4. 50% of the ticket price will be going to the Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus. It is a family themed Christmas show and should be a delight.

Janet reminded us that the next meeting will showcase the various committees and the Directors will be presenting updates on their year and goals. Please attend!

Disaster relief is still ongoing -please submit any donations to Rob.

Fareem will be back next week to talk about Python's Pit.

Kathy Thomas presented  a cheque to Kelly from ROCK for 8500.00 give or take  from the proceeds of the Draw at Lakeside a la Carte. The funds will be used to support  prevention and alternative choice programs for under privileged children living in stressful situations. They do fantastic work and I know that Kelly and her colleagues will put it to great use.

A huge thank you to Kathy, her daughter Shauna and Air Canada for their support of and contributions to the Lottery over the many years. The Lottery has been a huge part of Lakeside's success and has been very much appreciated.

Kathy left us with a terrific video to use in our future marketing plans. 

Abraham spoke of his Georgian Bay experience and his new found love of S'mores.  A true Canadian now! A shout out to Abraham and his ever improving English skills!!!!

 Your scribe this week subbed in last minute for MIA Bruce. Turned out to be a miscommunication so no fine for him for not showing up!!!!

I know I took notes of happy dollars but I can't find them! Needless to say there was an abundance of happiness and good news as always to be had!

Peter introduced our guest speakers- Marg Torrance and Fran Gray  for Hands and Hearts for Hope.

Marg and Fran are with a non profit group that works with the people of Malawi- particularly with a project called Prison Fellowship Malawi. 

Malawi is 80% agriculture based  but faces challenges as they face deforestation due to wood cutting to provide cooking which has a trickle effect on the water supply.  . they face flooding due to the deforestation which wipes out the crops making providing food one of their foremost struggles. A vicious circle. They also have been hugely impacted by HIV and have lost an entire generation. In many families the grand parents are raising their late children's children. A country steeped in problems.

Hands and Hearts for Hope was established in 2006 after a Mission trip. they have been on 5 trips in 10 years. they get their funding through Emmanuel International and are supported locally by  Wellington Square.

Their mission and vision is to engage in sustainable poverty alleviation by building relationships and supporting community based development. They  want to provide and support sustainable grass roots  initiatives such as community ovens and the like.

They believe in asset based development that relies on the assets of the community not monetary assets. They focus on what they have rather than what they don't.

One of their key initiatives is a program called Prison Fellowship Malawi. The organization aims to empower released prisoners with vocational skills and counselling needed to help them re-enter society. It works with and through the church and community for justice, transformation, reconciliation and  for prisoners and their families, victims and communities

They also push governments for judicial reform, investigation into wrongful convictions, and improvements to the physical structures and conditions in prison.

In 2005 they built a Halfway house and since then over 400 ex-inmates  have passed through it's doors. They stay for 5-6 months are and helped to reintegrate into society and re-connect with their families through vocational programs such as Carpentry and Joinery, Tailoring, Welding and Electrical Installation. They are currently experiencing critical funding issues and the halfway house is seldom full.  They most recently received an EU grant which will help them over the next 3 years but there is still a shortfall. The program needs to raise approximately $550 CDN for each of the students to pay for their start-up package that includes their 6 month stay at the PFM Halfway house, training in the vocation of their choice, tools for their trade, and cash for starting their own business in their community. Sponsors will receive the student personal profile and the updates regarding regarding progress of their training and how they are re-integrating into society.

If you are interested in more information on the program and would like more information they may be reached at prisonfellowshipmalawi@gmail.com

That's all the news that's fit to print!!

CB.