In the Chair: President Jennifer
Members Present: 14
Guests: Speakers Ken Dachi and Rob Houghton
Focus: Following the Progress of Rob and Ken’s ‘Grain of Hope’ wheat to Sudan Project
Rob and Ken’s project was featured at our 30 April dinner meeting where Greg played a YouTube video from the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley titled Grain of Hope – Ken Dachi and Rob Houghton. That video explained the ambitious plan and the problems associated with acquiring grain, shipping the grain, and distributing the grain to those in need in Sudan.
Rob talked about food security in the world and how, we in Riverina, should help. He outlined the issues that cause mass starvation: war, famine, government failure, and America’s withdrawal from food programs.
While Rob talked, Ken displayed HungerMAP, a map indicating various degrees of mass starvation in countries of the world. (Google HungerMAP and fiddle for your own version)
The search for a trusted person to oversee every transfer of bulk grain to the destination has led to many new contacts. Many people and organisations have gladly helped because of the need for such a system.
Rob and Ken are developing contacts on a smaller scale than intended firstly. However, the long-term plan is to build a sustainable system on a larger scale using the contacts, organisation and government links set up by Ken and Rob.
Ken talked about ‘SANKU- end malnutrition in Africa’ (google for yourself). This site emphasises the extent of malnutrition in Africa and a special tool used to deliver important nutrients to food products that can be made available to children in areas of need. This site is worth a visit.
Sudan was chosen for this project because it is the oldest hunger crisis and has recently been under-reported.
Following Rob and Ken’s presentation, Graeme spoke of the pride his Leeton community has gained from the Grain of Hope project, how from small things, big things grow. Greg followed with praise for the approach of one step at a time, learning as you go, and gaining support as you go.
Reports:
A card from Carol thanking the club for our support on Gruer’s passing.
The Board has accepted Rotary Club of Leeton Central’s donation of a cool room. Leeton Central have also given us a substantial amount of money to be used for the erection of the Rotary Rotunda.
The EPIC Day project of attaching the seating on the slab of cement on Wamoon Ave is to happen at 10 am, Wednesday May 20. Extra hands needed to lift the seat from Geof’s ute. Bring your Rotary shirt for a photo shoot for EPIC Day.
A flyer for the golf day will be sent to members separately. Members are asked to copy it or forward it on to someone who might be interested. Promoting the event to support Boys to the Bush and helping Rotary's kudos.
Fines:
Geof managed to fine most of us, using devious and subtle detecting skills. Noted was Graeme’s loyalty in watching Rugby Union when his allegiances to the three countries involved, Africa, NZ and Australia.
Len won the raffle. He was going to ask for a bottle of Grange!
Roll Call: My apologies to Bill, Allan, Brian, Ken, and Jennifer. I missed your photo. And you looked so good at or near the top table.
Puzzle:
Do you know your places in NSW?
Example: A type of fruit Orange
Nature reserves _ _ _ _ _ _
The monarch is angry _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A small fight
A company rod
A small mountain and small rock
Answers next week
Story:
At least five of our members are Bridge card players. They’ve probably read this story, but for the rest of you, the story might be a good lesson about choosing the right partner for any experience.
John Bennett of Kansas City came to grief at the hands of his Bridge partner in 1931. Bennett, a prosperous perfume salesman, was playing bridge with his wife against another couple when she became furious with his play and taunted him and called him a bum bridge player. An argument broke out and he announced that he was going to spend the night at a hotel. On his way out, she shot him dead!
In the celebrated court case that followed, she was tried for murder and acquitted after the Bridge experts of the day concurred about the hapless Mr Bennett’s performance at the bridge table. She even collected his life insurance!