Speaker Dr Mary Higgins

Rotary club of Stirling  Meeting of 17/7/15

President Peter Mehta welcomed two visitors, Dr Mary Higgins our speaker, and Ron Learmouth from the Rotary club of Abertay. Ron had admired our charity nail board, and at his request, Robin Sutton made him one for his club to use in fundraising. Ron presented the club's Charity Fund with a generous donation of £150.00 as a thank you.
The president's at home is on Sunday 26th July, 12.30 for 1pm. Please note it will be held at Edmond Mansion's house in Gargunnock. Peter mentioned last week's very successful trip to the Bass Rock organised by Dr John Rankin.
Our speaker was Dr Mary Higgins, GP in Stirling for many years, and her topic was Let us Shine, a small charity providing primary education for young girls in Ghana. Started by a pharmacist from UK working on placement, who observed that although free primary education was supposed to provided, in many cases this was not happening. She managed to obtain land from a local chief and with money raised by the Rotary Club of East Kilbride and in 2007 a grant from UNESCO , two classrooms were built accommodating 60 pupils. Since it's very basic start living premises ,uniforms for the pupils and a water supply have been added. In addition to their education the girls take part in housekeeping, growing and cooking their own food. Importantly mosquito nets have been provided and their use encouraged.
The Higgins family became involved when their son Paul worked in Ghana and reported back. Money was raised and an additional classroom has now been built to commemorate Mary's late husband Dr John Higgins a paediatrician for many years at Stirling Royal Infirmary. Mary visits the school regularly. She showed a short video illustrating some of the activities at the school, including the girls singing Flower of Scotland. The girl's pride and pleasure as pupils was evident .
Many of the primary girls are gifted and will go further  but all will carry the benefits of their education all their lives. In answer to the question why only girls, Mary said the boys tended to be given priority already.
The vote of thanks was given by Frank Kelly.
Next week's Speaker's host Malcolm Cordwell Smith, Visitor's host Derek Robertson.
Dr Ian Richardson
Communications