Very relevant --President David's editorial
Posted by Ian Cameron
on Oct 14, 2014
President David's "Despatch"
A very relevant article today by President David
Women and Children first --- Hearing that the 17-year-old Pakistani child education activist Malala Yousafzai and Indian child rights campaigner Kailash Satyarthi, have jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize reminded me of how much we in the “west “ often take for granted basic rights like education, equality and freedom. While it’s wonderful to see the rights of women and children being given so much prominence, it’s only been relatively recently that the veil has been lifted on some of these issues.…...
Remember that it was only in 1989 that the Rotary International constitutional change was made to eliminate the "male only" provision for all of Rotary. Since that time, women have become members and leaders of clubs and districts throughout the world. (worth looking at the history if you are unfamiliar …. try “Women in Rotary “in your search engine.). It’s very appropriate then that last week we inducted with delight our newest member Alfreda White into the Club.
It’s also positive to see that in a small way we contribute towards the improving the lives of women and children, for example:
□ In Nepal where, among other things, we support construction of toilets to enable local girls to attend school and get a basic education, so that in future more roles will be available to them.
□ Contributing in funds and kind (Jo Kariolis is over there now) to help the Kopanang Women’s Co-operative in extreme conditions in Tsakane, South Africa, where AIDS and HIV have devastated villages and left many orphans.
□ Our work in Sri Lanka and in the recent past, Mongolia and Russia with orphans and disadvantaged youth.
□ Generally support for special education needs for local children and youth who are disadvantaged in any number of ways.
There are other examples – let’s continue to do more in this area when we can!