Hello Daybreakers,
We had another great meeting on 2 November 2022.
We received an acknowledgement from East Gipplsand Rotary Fire Aid during the black summer bushfires
in East Gippsland in January 2020.
in East Gippsland in January 2020.
Members may recall the images at Mallacoota and how people who were holidaying had to be evacuated
by sea.
by sea.
We contributed both in providing hay and financial support to the Rotary Club of Bairnsdale as part of
the East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid.
the East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid.
The East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid is constituted by the Rotary Clubs of Bairnsdale Sunrise, Lake's Entrance,
Bairnsdale, Mitchell River and Orbost. As part of the acknowledgement and thank you from the
East Gippsland Rotary Fire Air Group, we received a banner as an acknowledgement of our club's support.
Bairnsdale, Mitchell River and Orbost. As part of the acknowledgement and thank you from the
East Gippsland Rotary Fire Air Group, we received a banner as an acknowledgement of our club's support.
Our Guest Speaker was Emily Bakhitah, the President of the Rotary Club of Kisumu in District 9212 in Kenya.
Emily spoke about her role as the founder of Rise to Shine Education Foundation as a NGO in her region.
District 9212 comprises of clubs in Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea and South Sudan.
District 9212 comprises of clubs in Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea and South Sudan.
District 9212's mission statement reads, "We provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world
understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders."
understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders."
The Vision statement on the website reads, "Together we see a world were people unite and take action to
create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves."
create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves."
The DG in District 9212 for the year 2022/2023 is Azeb Asrat.
The acceptance speech by DG Azeb Asrat reads, "Good afternoon my fellow Rotarians, family and guests.
I begin with my gratitude to the all mighty for letting us come together physically after a two year stall
due to the covid pandemic.
I begin with my gratitude to the all mighty for letting us come together physically after a two year stall
due to the covid pandemic.
My dear DG Alex, I congratulate you for a … year. You really showered us with love and joy…"
Emily spoke of her own personal experience with the customs and traditions and the poor education of
young girls who by the age of 13 are being married off, having children or as sex slaves to secure food
for the family. She described this as sex for fish. Kisumu is the\ county situated on Lake Victoria as
part of Kenya.She reminded us Kisumu has a population of 1.1M of which 40-56% of the population
are impoverished and the majority are youth.
young girls who by the age of 13 are being married off, having children or as sex slaves to secure food
for the family. She described this as sex for fish. Kisumu is the\ county situated on Lake Victoria as
part of Kenya.She reminded us Kisumu has a population of 1.1M of which 40-56% of the population
are impoverished and the majority are youth.
The Foundation is to sponsor one child from each of the families within the county and villages.
There have been 500 students sponsored into High School, predominately girls with a mixture of boys.
The sponsorship cost is $650USD per year with a commitment of four years. The cost covers boarding, food,
clothing and school fees. The impoverished state of the families are such that they cannot afford to buy food
let alone put them through school.
clothing and school fees. The impoverished state of the families are such that they cannot afford to buy food
let alone put them through school.
Emily was very passionate as she was able to be sponsored through a priest who went to her family and
she was the child chosen to go to primary school at the age of 8 in 2000. She then progressed to High School
on a scholarship and then into University. Emily was born in 1992. As a 30 year she strives to create
a cultural change with education and to better themselves to reduce poverty and sex slavery.
she was the child chosen to go to primary school at the age of 8 in 2000. She then progressed to High School
on a scholarship and then into University. Emily was born in 1992. As a 30 year she strives to create
a cultural change with education and to better themselves to reduce poverty and sex slavery.
Out of the 500 students so far sponsored into High School education, approximately 180 of them progressed
into further education. Emily reminded us that one child from each family was being sourced to be given
this opportunity.
into further education. Emily reminded us that one child from each family was being sourced to be given
this opportunity.
She acknowledged that some of the girls go back to the villages through school breaks and do not continue
or finish their education and do not contribute back to the community but this does not mean, she emphasized,
that education should be abandoned. It is always said that education is the means to bring people out of poverty.
or finish their education and do not contribute back to the community but this does not mean, she emphasized,
that education should be abandoned. It is always said that education is the means to bring people out of poverty.
It was a very moving Zoom session and we thanked her for her courage and commitment.
Given the focus for this month is Foundation what a great way to start. Whether we are able to use a global
grant or other district grants to possibly sponsor one of the students. We understand there are also pressing
needs locally given the homelessness growing in our own community, but hopefully a balance could be
achieved within our own programs and commitments.
grant or other district grants to possibly sponsor one of the students. We understand there are also pressing
needs locally given the homelessness growing in our own community, but hopefully a balance could be
achieved within our own programs and commitments.
The Board will consider and investigate the possibilities for any sponsorship for this particular Foundation
as well as meeting our commitments within our local community. The Board will meet on 7 November 2022
to discuss these issues and we will report back to the club.
As a reminder, RYLA applications are required to be submitted by 5 March 2023 for the camp at Kangaroobie
from Sunday 16 April 2023 to Friday 21 April 2023.
The National Youth Science Forum will be held between 10 and 24 January 2023 for the NYSF year 12
program which involves a mixture of interactive digital and in person sessions. Candidates have to apply
by 18 November 2023. We will see if our Youth services/ New Generation director and deputy director
are able to put forward some promising candidates.
program which involves a mixture of interactive digital and in person sessions. Candidates have to apply
by 18 November 2023. We will see if our Youth services/ New Generation director and deputy director
are able to put forward some promising candidates.
The homeless program is also moving forward and we are in the process of setting up two caravans at
Surf Side Caravan Park no 2. This to allow two families to have shelter through the Salvation Army.
Surf Side Caravan Park no 2. This to allow two families to have shelter through the Salvation Army.
Again, we thank both Ian Harper and Glen Rundell for their continued support with this program.
Glen reminded us of the R100 tree planting day at Lake Pertobe is now scheduled for
Wednesday 30 November 2022 from 10am to 2pm.
A BBQ lunch will be held where the Rotary Club of Warrnambool Central will be conducting the BBQ
with primary school students, council representatives as well as other Rotary Club representatives.
I remind members that we are rapidly approaching our own Rotary camp in Halls Gap for the weekend
18 – 20 November 2022.
18 – 20 November 2022.
Also another reminder is that the District Conference to be held in Ballarat will be from 24 to 26 March 2023.
For member's planning to attend the conference I encourage those members to book early and achieve a
group booking. Jenny and I have decided to take the caravan and stay at one of the local caravan parks
in close proximity to the venue.
group booking. Jenny and I have decided to take the caravan and stay at one of the local caravan parks
in close proximity to the venue.
I again thank VP Chris Preston for stepping in with DG Kathy Rivett’s visit on 19 October 2022 and
I understand a travel theme will be the District Conference motto. Ian Harper also stepped in and
led the charge at our meeting on 26 October 2022 as a potential PE. Well done Ian Presidential material indeed.
I understand a travel theme will be the District Conference motto. Ian Harper also stepped in and
led the charge at our meeting on 26 October 2022 as a potential PE. Well done Ian Presidential material indeed.
So let's imagine Rotary.
Your President,
Sergio Bacchetti
Rotary
