WHAT WE DO AROUND THE WORLD: INTERNATIONAL 23/24

International Committee: 

Summary of Plans for 2023-24

Opportunity International – To continue our support of small business enterprise in Malawi; particularly to improve the lifestyle of women and girls who would otherwise be disadvantaged. We are satisfied, from the assurances and evidence provided, that our initial donation of £500 in 2021-22 was used to good effect and that the project is progressing well. No further donation were made in 2022-23 but we aim to remedy this in 2023-24.

Our existing longer-term commitments include . . . 

Foundation – Polio Plus and End Polio Now

International Children’s Trust (ICT) – To support the education of two boys in India;

SOS Children’s Villages – To support the education of two girls in The Gambia.

Rotary Shoebox Scheme - Our annual project supplying shoeboxes to the needy in Eastern Europe.

A potentially new educational project . . . 
Monies raised for the former Smiling Valley school in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and held in the Club account, may need to be repurposed following the final closure of the school, and the relocation of existing students to St Matthew’s High School – a more affluent school. Mongezi Mncono, former Principal of Smiling Valley, and now working for the Education Department with 88 schools under his care, has been asked to highlight any school or group of schools where learning is hindered by local poverty and which could benefit from our support. However, after a long wait for this information, if there is nothing definite in place by the first committee meeting of 2023-24, we will be exploring other alternatives within our remit to channel the earmarked funds. UPDATE OCT 23-We have now identfied a new project: Newclare School, Johannesburg.

In addition to the above we will consider reasonable donations to the following causes, subject to need and available funds. . . 

Mary’s Meals Global Sight Solutions 

Disaster Aid and Water Aid 
If there is a major disaster in the world we would look to the club to give financial support to help the people involved to recover, either through a Rotary co-ordinated initiative or via other aid agencies, as is most appropriate and as funds permit. 

On behalf of the International Committee, I commend this programme to the Club. 
Alan Pomfret / International Lead / Club Assembly 4 July 2023