Guests: Mild Rungmongkonsawad, Lisa Kabatoff, and Nadine Umutoni.
On behalf of our club, President Elect Darrell is proud to present a cheque to Mild Rungmongkonsawad from the College Park Community Association. These grant funds support the organization of the annual Easter Egg Hunt and neighborhood social for residents of Port Moody’s College Park community. The Rotary Club of Port Moody is delighted to support such a wonderful cause, helping to bring fun, connection, and celebration to the neighborhood.
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Nadine Umutoni, founder of Neza Coffee, as our guest speaker this week, and we are incredibly proud to have Neza Coffee as a vendor at our Ribfest this year.
The word “Neza” means greatness, and it perfectly reflects this BC‑based, socially driven coffee company founded by Nadine. Neza Coffee offers premium, organic, fair‑trade, single‑origin coffee sourced directly from women farmers in East Africa and roasted right here in British Columbia.
But Neza Coffee is about more than just great coffee. Through the Cup of Hope program, a portion of profits goes toward supporting mental health initiatives for genocide survivors. Neza Coffee is all about combining quality products with real community impact.
On April 19, 1994, the Rwandan Genocide began—one of the most devastating tragedies in history. In just 100 days, more than one million people were slaughtered. Nadine lost her parents, two sisters, and a brother during this horrific time. She was only seven years old and still reflects on her survival with disbelief. Even more than 30 years later, the trauma hasn’t faded and often feels like it just happened.
Nadine immigrated to Canada 19 years ago and now feels safe here. She hopes that by sharing her story, the world can learn from the past and stop repeating it. As she reminds us, wars are fueled by senseless hatred.
Nadine also shared that Rwanda has made incredible progress since the genocide, focusing on reconciliation, unity, and rebuilding the country. Today, it’s known as one of the cleanest and safest countries, with a strong focus on protecting the environment and growing its economy.
Our club is so very proud to present Nadine with The Golden Spike.
Thank you, Nadine, for joining us and for sharing your powerful and impactful story. We are so proud that you have found your new home in Canada. There are countless successful immigration stories like Nadine’s, and we are so very grateful to have the opportunity to hear and celebrate them.
Please Note: April 25th at SFU Vancouver is the Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda is a significant event organized by the BC Rwandan Community in collaboration with SFU. This event aims to remember, unite, and renew the spirit of remembrance for the victims of the genocide. It is a day of mourning and reliction, where attendees come together to pay tribute to the victims and their families, and to educate the community about the history and measures to prevent future acts of genocide.
Back in Belize on another of Rotary's great international projects is Al, Avil Steadman, Director of Rehab & Education of the Belize Central Prison, and Glen.
Initially this project was intended to support literacy, education and the use of educational technology in the St. Martin de Porres School, located in an especially poor neighborhood of Belize City.
Rotarians in Belize are centrally involved in the management of the national prison which is operated by a non-profit society.
The Belize Central Prison is the only prison in Belize incarcerating men, women and youth and housing remanded and sentenced offenders, as well as immigration detainees.
Central to this project is using RACHEL (Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning). In both settings literacy and educational attainment is quite low, with strong evidence of a pervasive and linked cycle of poverty, crime, poor educational achievement and poor employment opportunities.
We provide equipment, teacher training and adapted local curriculum while also supporting students and our partner Rotarians in Belize. This project involves collaboration between Rotarians in Port Moody and Belize City.
Zach Parker, Rotaractor President of Langley and his sidekick, Photography Assistant, Adam is taking a well deserved lunch break while filming in Belize. Zach Parker is the owner of Honey Mustard Media, a Langley based video production company specializing in documentary and impact-driven films.
Seeking Ribfest Sponsorship for our great Port Moody Ribfest!
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The Inlet Spring Regatta, Dragon Boating Beer Fest is coming up fast - Saturday, April 25/26!
We are still looking for volunteers to help with the beer garden. Great community event and lots of fun!
Please contact Neil Nyberg on how you can help out!
Please sign up to volunteer at our Rotary Search For The Pint, Friday, May 1st from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Tickets are selling fast! Organizer: Alan Kabatoff.
Please get out to the Inlet Centre Fire Hall to give blood – Tuesday, May 5th!
Looking for volunteers for our Shred-A- Thon, June 6th. Event starts at 9:00 and ends at 3:00. Organizer: Linda
First Week of July – Kids Camp! Please contact George for more details.
The Golden Spike Newsletter is searching for a fresh, fun, and fabulous photo (or artwork) to splash across our front page. We’re talking bright, inspirational, and fun - and full of that amazing Golden Spike unifying spirit we’re known and loved for!
Deadline for submissions: April 30, 2026
Please email all submissions to: membership@portmoodyrotary.ca
For those of you who want to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, please email us with your contact information - email and telephone number. Thanks!
“ Love is more powerful than hate. Let us have grace and patience for those who falsely believe they are acting in good faith but who, instead are acting through ignorance, fear, and anger causing so much pain and suffering to innocent peoples” Author unknown