37 Rotarians and partners were joined by the DG
Stewart Cursley and AG Terry Bate to hear Miriam Mason-Sesay (MBE) from Educaid
forcefully present:
Education is the answer. What’s the question? Sierra Leone has had a traumatic
and traumatising few decades. She has been involved with this beautiful country
since before her first visit in 1997. Since then, we have seen coups, the
ending of a dreadful war, Ebola and mudslides, and the country is still the 8th
poorest in the World.
She said, Poverty can be eliminated by education, especially women, and Educaid
is helping by encouraging children to attend free schools, also their parents
to understand the value of sending them regularly. 90% of the staff are past
pupils, and remote townships are visited by teachers on motorbikes. Regular
meetings of staff and pupil representatives are held to encourage voicing
opinions and views which have been suppressed in the past.
She showed classes being held in the open on bare soil, and also a
three-storeyed modern school for 600 pupils which has been built in Freetown.
Religious tolerance is promoted. It costs £200 a year per pupil to provide
education, and fund-raising is needed, as well as practical help like providing
sleeping-bag liners.
Miriam had been introduced by Daphne Morris, a former colleague, who with her
husband Bill, were providing accommodation overnight.
After questions, a vote of thanks was given by Richard Austin.
Club Business. – The District Quiz at Frome was entered by a 3 man team of Rod
Purves, Phil Greenway and Andrew Janes, who were Runners Up.
Moonraker – a Treasurer for the event is required urgently –please contact
Jonny Dunk.
The DG Stewart is to carry on for another year in office, following the death
of the DG Elect.
Next week 26th March is Skittles at Blagdon Hill – 6.30 pm for 7 o’clock start.
Duty Rotarian Paul Hughes.
Meal Apologies to David Janes for next 3 weeks, and a deputy/stand-in is being
sought for June/July when R Austin will be away. Volunteers to contact David.
Taunton Vale Rotary Club has recently celebrated their 40th Charter anniversary. To mark the occasion the Inner Wheel Club of Taunton Vale have donated a bird bath, and this was handed over to Abbeyfield Residential Home in Bishops Hull.