Was great to welcome all fellow Rotarians and guests along to our dinner meeting on the 27th of February.
Our guest speakers for the night Sharon Crean and Mary Mwikali from BeyondWater Global were introduced by Glenice Yeomen.
Sharon Crean and her husband Peter founded Beyond Water in 2007. 17 years ago with a group of volunteers. It is a not for profit organization working in East Africa.
Sharon is the Global CEO for BeyondWater global. Sharon is also a 2013 Rotary Humanitarian recipient and the country representative for one Humanitarian award.
Their vision is to raise the living standards and reduce mortality rates for communities in East Africa through the provision of safe clean and sustainable drinking water and sanitation facilities.
BeyondWater was founded on the principle of community development and delivering self-sustaining solutions that bring about empowerment. They believe in giving a hand up not a hand out.
A deep bore well caters for up to 600 people in rural villages. Operated by a simple hand pump.
Providing schools with adequate toilets clean water and soap.
They created the Girl Project to keep girls in school by giving them sanitary products as well as simple items such as soap, underwear even toothpaste and a toothbrush. They also give them leadership development.
This comes through engagement with a local community to assess the need, bring deliverable solutions and ongoing education to the point where they can exit the project and hand it over to local ownership.
At the end of their presentation questions were answered from the floor.
There was an overwhelming sense of feeling from the members that we should engage and look at sponsorship for Sharon and Mary's endeavours in East Africa.
Glenice thanked them for a very informative presentation. Members responded in the normal manner.
Normal Rotary business then took place.
Steve Lines as sergeant entertained members with fines for misdemeanours and humoured us with a couple of jokes.
Raffles were drawn. New World Vouchers: - Pat Abercrombie and Geoff Thompson. Have a Go raffle. John Sanders and Malcolm Pascoe.
Our next community event is the Fun Walk and Run We need all able members to assist in the running of this event. Please advise. Colin Monk of your availability.
Our next meeting is set down for the 12th of March.
Kind Regards. Stay well and safe.
Malcolm J Pascoe.
President, The Rotary Club of Howick.
