On November 15, 2010, Rockaway Rotary received the following letter from our Rotary contact in Uganda regarding the distribution of mosquito nets donated by our club.
 
Kampala, 15th November 2010

Dear Rotarian Friends,

SUBJECT: REPORT ON TREATED MOSQUITO NET DISTRIBUTION

Further to our earlier exchange of correspondence, I am happy to report that the most of the nets have  now been distributed. We have distributed them on two main occasions. First, on 6th November when we traveled to Namaato Village in Namutumba County; a fairly remote village in Eastern Uganda about 130 miles from Kampala the capital city. The Club has started on a process to get the village adopted by Rotary within the framework of “Adopt a Village” project. Namaato is one of the poorest villages in the country and lacks most of the common service facilities such as water; electricity and medical services as the nearest medical clinic is about 20 miles away.

The nets were distributed to about 300 families, targeting mothers with infant children and the elderly in the first place. On the same occasion, some health and development guidance was dispensed to the community. Vitamin A as well as de-worming tablets were made available. 

Then on Saturday 13th November, we organized a second distribution occasion during our Annual medical outreach within the Club’s immediate community at Lungujja Community Health and Care Centre. As you may know, Uganda has for several years been certified by the World Health Organization as a Polio - Free country. Unfortunately, a couple of months ago, it was learned that the disease had re-occurred,  coming to us through the Northern part, that is Sudan.  Rotary in Uganda has therefore taken up this renewed challenge very seriously.

The main focus of this medical outreach therefore was devoted to vaccination against polio. The campaign was also combined with the distribution of vitamin A and other health supporting supplements. Women received advice on reproductive health and on Cancer of the breast, of the stomach and on cervical cancer. The distribution of mosquito nets came in very handy in order to motivate parents to bring their children. The nets were only given as a bonus for those who brought their children for vaccination. Over 250 families went away with a mosquito net each.

Once again, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Nateete-Kampala, I wish to express to you, to the members of the Rotary Club of Rockaways and to the School pupils who contributed towards the fundraising for the nets, our utmost felt appreciation. The nets will go a long way in protecting our needy community members against the deadly malria!

Jones Kyazze,

Charter President/ PR