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Service Above Self

We meet In Person

Tuesdays at 12:15 PM

DJ's Restaurant

146 Main Street (not for mail purposes)
P.O. Box 216
Ludlow, VT 05149
United States of America

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Malayaka House Update

At our August 1, 2023, meeting, the Ludlow Rotary Club was pleased welcome back Robert Fleming and Amy Carst of Malayaka House, Entebbe, Uganda. Robert’s story is amazing, how as a tourist in Uganda 18 years ago he became aware of a pregnant young woman not comprehending her pregnancy. Robert took it upon himself to keep a watchful eye and help as he may. Short story, the woman had her baby girl and abandoned it in the bathroom of the hospital. Since Robert brought her in, the police told him to take the baby as no one would want the child. The next day, Robert was given another young child by the police. You see children are dispensable in Uganda and Robert, being American, was believed to be able to care for them. Robert a single person, on vacation, did not know how to change a diaper or care for a child. He learned very quickly. Hence, his first baby girl was named Malayaka, (Angel) and the Malayaka house was “born”. Many children have been welcomed here each with their own heart-wrenching story. All are well loved, cared for and educated at the best schools and onto university if the desire is there. Malayaka House is their home, forever welcomed, and Robert is their “Uncle”.

Fifty children have been so wonderfully cared for and loved. They have an amazing sense of self and caring for each other. Robert, no longer, runs Malayaka House as it takes more than he to manage the day-to-day paperwork etc. Instead, Robert freely spends time with the children day to day, arranges for their education and welfare and focuses of public speaking and raising the funds continually needed to provide for the children.

All those years ago, perhaps 15, Rotary was introduced to Robert, his story and Malayaka House. Our club was so impressed that we wrote and received a sizable Rotary District 7870 grant to assist with the installation of solar panels for Malayaka House. We are so touched by the kindness of Robert and his staff! A few Rotarians have visited Malayaka House. If you would like to learn more about this amazingly loving place, the full story, see the children and read about all of the success of Malayaka House, please visit https://malayakahouse.com/ I promise you will not have a dry eye.

At yesterday’s meeting, I remembered and spoke to Robert’s mission. It is to provide a loving and safe home for the children left behind, meet their needs and provide the best education available for the kids. Robert would never allow “his” children, the children of Uganda, to be adopted, as they are the future of this country. He is a man of his word.

Jill A. Tofferi

Ludlow VT Rotarian

Photo: President, Tom Ray, Rotarian Brett Wright, Robert Fleming of Malayaka House, George Thomson Rotarian, Linda Thomas and Amy Carst

Ludlow Rotary Contributes $13,000 to Flood Recovery

Ludlow Rotary Contributes $13,000 and Personal Effort to Flood Recovery

“Unsurprisingly, many of our fellow Rotarians in the area have jumped in to help some of the many people and organizations in our communities adversely affected by the recent flooding”. With this simple, yet heartfelt summary, Tom Ray, Ludlow Rotary Club President, indicated what the Ludlow Rotary Club (LRC) had done to date to assist in the vast recovery effort.

Thus far, the LRC has donated $8,000 for dehumidifiers that were immediately needed by residents and businesses in the area. Following this, the LRC donated $5,000 to the BRAT (Black River Action Team) to assist that group in its recovery program cleaning the river of debris.

In addition to checking that all of its members were safe and offering assistance to those who suffered from the ravages of the flood and mud-slides, the club members participated in a “clean up” at the Timber Inn Motel.

At the request of the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, the LRC offered to use its charitable fund so that the Chamber’s fund-raising drive would be tax-deductible to donors. The LRC’s Facebook site became a source of helpful information.

A number of other Rotary Clubs throughout New England have already sent contributions to the LRC as well as several area businesses and organizations in support of recovery relief.

Tom Ray indicated that much more needed to done, noting “While substantial aid in the form of food, supplies, money and recovery assistance has been arriving, much more will be needed to restore the many homes, businesses and the landscape devastated by this storm. The Rotary Club of Ludlow, Vermont, has been coordinating with other civic organizations to provide relief and assistance”.

LRC Treasurer, Kim Lampert, indicated that tax-deductible donations could be sent to the LRC’s 501(c)(3) foundation. The address is:

Ludlow Area Rotary Charitable Fund (LARCF)

PO Box 216

Ludlow, VT 05149

All contributions will be directed to specific agencies providing relief to this devastating flood.

Duck Race 2023 Cancelled

Due to the flooding in our area our 24th Annual Duck race in memory of Ralph Hogancamp has been cancelled. We hope to see you all in 2024 for this event.

Thank you for your understanding.

July 2023 Flood Relief Efforts

As many of you know the Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Cavendish and Plymouth areas received significant rains that caused flooding on July 10, 2023.

The Ludlow Rotary Club has become the fiscal agent for flood relief efforts for our communities. The needs are high. Volunteers are needed.

You have two options. You can directly make a contribution to: Ludlow Area Rotary Charitable Fund, Inc. and mail to PO Box 216, Ludlow, VT 05149 or click on the link below that will take you to Okemo Valley Chamber for relief efforts.

Here’s a link to our website and a new resource to aid disaster recovery, to volunteer, to donate and to find the resources you need. https://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/okemo-valley-disaster.../

Please email us at info@yourplaceinvermont.com if we can answer your questions, we’ll add new resources and information as they are available.

DONATE HERE: https://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/accepting-donations.../

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