Rotary Saving Sight in the Pacific - Taveuni Eye Project (TEP)

This is what it is all about ... seeing again after patch removal

The Rotary Club of Taveuni (RCTI) operates an annual Eye Surgery Programme for the removal of Cataracts and Pterigiums.

Their programme focuses on Fijians in remote villages and Islands who could otherwise not afford the travel and accommodation costs.

Each year they conduct around 300 surgeries over 10 days - allowing Fijians to regain their sight and contribute to their families, rather than having to be looked after. Pioneered by Rotarian Geoffrey Amos – this is Rotary Taveuni’s flag ship project – now in its 9^th year.

Post-op recovery

DGN Roger Harvey & his wife Georgie went to help in November  - observing “The huge commitment over 10 days from a small club and the many volunteers is both impressive and humbling. Some volunteers use up their holiday - others take time off without pay”

RCTI has built up quality Ophthalmology equipment and has the use of 2 surgical rooms at the Taveuni Hospital. Highly skilled volunteers return each year and have developed techniques to deal with the difficult cataracts arising in the Pacific.

In November 2014 an Ophthalmologist from USA (Dr Jeff Rutgar) and New Zealand (Dr David Prendergast) volunteered, supported by a GP from Australia. They were supported by 8 experienced nurses from New Zealand and Fiji.

Both surgical teams at work

The logistics were demanding. The Fiji Blind Foundation conducted an Out Reach programme (with costs funded by Rotary) in June to remote Islands and villages. Once prospective patients were assessed transport arrangements were made to get them to Taveuni Island by bus and ferry. This took several days for some and required courage by many who had never left their village before.

On arrival patients were accommodated simply at the Hospital and a nearby school – mattresses on the open plan floor. Many patients had to stay at Taveuni for 3-5 days because of ferry schedules. A support team of 10 organised by RCTI managed the transport, accommodation, laundry and catering for patients and the medical team. The scheduling of patients was challenging to maintain an even workload for the surgical team.

The theatre nursing team

Patients were medically assessed by GP Dr Gregg Booth and support nurses and detailed records maintained.

Pre-Op procedures included optics measurement and local anaesthetic.

Surgical procedure involved a small incision, removal of the cataract then insertion of an intraocular lens. In the case of Pterigiums (30%) – the membrane covering the eye is removed. This is a more painful recovery.

Post-Op – the eye was protected with a patch – nicknamed “Spiderman”. This was removed the next day, the eye inspected, anti bacterial drops applied, sunglasses supplied and advice given on eye care.

“Patch off day” was emotional with lots of joy, bewilderment and happiness. On our last Patch off day they all sang spontaneously.

Dr Jeff Rutgar commented “It takes a lot of courage to leave their village (sometimes for the 1^st time), travel in a boat (mostly blind). Put their trust in strangers – and their quality of life in hands of foreign strangers. It is an honour to be able to help them – Dignifies our work

And the patients?

Patient Shoie – “I was almost completely blind. I couldn’t help at home – I was embarrassed. My children will now come and see me – 1^st time in 10 years”

Patient Afeca “This is a beautiful day First time I can see my own dress – no pain. Excited to see my Grand children the first time”

Patient Kustino is a Lambasa farmer of taro & kava.” My parents have had to look after it. After 6 years of frustration I can see well now. I am very thankful”

Patient Annie  “I had to retire – My Grand children led me around the village. Now I can lead them through life”

Plans are well advanced for the 2015 Rotary Taveuni Eye Project. The cost will be NZ$100,000.

A Global Grant will be sought again.

Please help Rotary continue restoring sight in Fiji

Via RNZWCS Ltd (TAX DEDUCTABLE in New Zealand): RNZWCS Westpac Account 03-1702-0192208-02 SWIFT Code: WPACNZ2W or Cheque to: RNZWCS Ltd PO Box 20309 Christchurch 8543, New Zealand RNZWCS Ltd Charities Services Reg. No. CC26860 Reference the Taveuni Eye Program (TEP) and include your Club name. Direct to Taveuni Rotary (NOT Tax Deductable in New Zealand): ASB Bank Limited, 12 Jellicoe Street, Auckland 1010 Account Name: Rotary Club of Taveuni Island Bank BSP Number: 12-3110 Account Number: 0055882 SWIFTCODE: ASBBNZ2A

Funds can be sent to: Rotary Club of Taveuni Island NZ office:

For more information contact:   Geoffrey Amos, Rotary Club of Taveuni Island,

Email via: debra@textilecentre.co.nz; Ph: +679 9992371

Or:  DGN Roger L Harvey     roger.l.harvey@gmail.com

Photo credit:  Bula Time Photography            

Included in April

Rotary Down Under

magazine



Enabling isolated rural communities in Tonga to fight against poverty

Rotary New Zealand World Community Service Ltd (RNZWCS) is NZ Rotarians acting globally. 

RNZWCS has established links with MORDI Tonga Trust. MORDI stands for Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovations Tonga Trust, and their motto is “Enable rural isolated communities to fight against poverty”. They work with poor, isolated, rural people to enable them to increase their incomes and determine the direction of their own development. Since 2007, MORDI Tonga Trust has invested more than TOP$3.3 million (approximately NZ$2 million) in funding projects and conducted training in 42 isolated communities in Tonga, improving the prospects of more than 629 households to fight against poverty, and giving communities a chance at a better life.

Through the NZ Government’s Disaster Response Partnership programme, RNZWCS received a $125,000 grant towards re-establishing the livelihoods of up to 431 households affected by Cyclone Ian in January 2014. This amount was bolstered by a further $30,000 from donations received from Rotary clubs and the New Zealand public.

After consultation with government agencies, a design for vegetable nurseries was produced.  Such nurseries contribute to sustainable development as natural disasters and climate change threaten Tongan communities. The project goal is rehabilitating the agricultural sector with vegetable nurseries to enhance food security. At the outset, the project encouraged small holders to enhance their agricultural livelihoods. The project involves construction of cyclone-proof nursery sheds, distribution of tools for planting and continued maintenance, along with vegetable seedlings. Tomatoes, Chinese cabbage, chili, broccoli and other vegetables are now being harvested. RNZWCS contributed 68% of the total of TOP $320,550 (approximately NZ$ 197,800) for this successful project. 

The project was recommended and endorsed by the Tongan Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Forests and Fisheries and implemented by Rotary’s partner MORDI Tonga Trust, which is endorsed by the Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa, Tonga, and supported by RNZWCS who provide oversight.   

Website for more information:  www.rnzwcs.org.nz

Rotary goes to the people

Rotary District 9920 World Community Service Committee organised a PR event to raise funds for Emergency Response Kits (ERKs) on behalf of Rotary NZ World Community Service Limited (RNZWCS). The theme was Rotary Helping the Pacific.

A Rotary display was arranged at Pacifica 2014 in Auckland which has the largest Pacific Island population in the world. It was manned by members and supporters of the 9920 and 9910 Rotary Clubs of Newmarket, Otahuhu, Ellerslie Sunrise and Western Springs.

An ERK and its contents were displayed along with videos of cyclone impact which drives the need for emergency responses.

Over 18,000 people visited over two days. There was good interest in the ERK and its contents, as well as interest in Rotary.

ERKs have become the preferred Disaster Response Kit in the Pacific Islands. They are now prepositioned in larger Pacific islands.

An ERK costs NZ$600 to supply and deliver. Each ERK holds over 60 items packed in a 78-litre container which can be used to treat drinking water. There are also purifying tablets for this purpose. With a little ingenuity, families can create a shelter from tarpaulins using the hammer and nails provided. There’s a folding shovel for digging trenches. Food is key, so there’s fishing gear, a hunting knife, and cooking equipment. As well as basic clothing, there are bed covers for warmth. Maintaining hygiene and treating minor injuries is important too, so a medical pack is included with basic items such as soap, painkillers and antiseptic cream.

An ERKs raffle for a trip for two to Rarotonga, Cook Islands was organised and promoted at Pacifica and across NZ Rotary clubs. The prize was kindly donated by Stars Travel Auckland. The raffle winner was Stew Wadey from the Rotary Club of Matamata.

Over $11,000 was raised for ERKs from 95 clubs across NZ, including $1500 raised at Pacifica.

Rotary - Solomon Islands Flood Appeal

NOTE:  This blog post will be updated with news as this comes to hand. 

Rotary New Zealand World Community Service is appealing jointly with Rotary Australia WCS for donations to assist with Emergency Response, and the rehabilitation and reconstruction for the thousands displaced in the devastating floods that swept across the Solomon Islands on 3 April 2014.

Donations may be made by cheque to:

RNZWCS Limited – Solomon’s Appeal

PO Box 20309

Christchurch 8543

or at any Westpac Branch

03 1702 0192208 01

or through other options posted on our website www.rnzwcs.org

Donations are tax deductible

Update as at 9 April 2014
from Stuart Batty

This disaster is looking like the biggest in the region since the Tsunami that struck Samoa in 2009.

Last night had long conversations with PDG Wayne Morris who is based in Honiara.

In short, there is also a desperate need for basics such as kitchen utensils.

There are none available in any of the stores there and people whilst they can cook on open fires have nothing to cook in. In fact there is little basic stock of anything available and if there were the people most affected have no money to purchase.

12,000 people in evacuation centres have nothing to return HOME to.

Chaos abounds in the sector with some agencies trying to shut others out. No coordination, no management. Just self interest.

I have been in touch with Rotary Australia World Community Service Limited overnight who have substantial DIK in most states and they will dispatch kitchen utensils etc. with urgency.

Have also been in touch with Rotary Australia’s AquaBox, their name for our Emergency Response Kit and we will coordinate with them.

We may also send ERKs from our pre positioned stock in Fiji.

Please continue to impress on your clubs that they should support Rotary in disasters such as this.

Updated Situation as 6 April 2014

There are a total of 19 confirmed deaths and an estimated 52,000 people affected across the Solomon Islands (population 515,870), around half of which are children.

In Honiara (pop. 64,609), there are 17 fatalities, 30 people missing and 12,000 affected. A multi-agency team continues to register people in 13 evacuation centres. The most populated shelters are in east Honiara, with over 3,500 people at Panatina Pavilion and around 1,000 at both the airport terminal and King George VI School. Initial food and water distributions have occurred, although there is urgent need for additional food, water, clothing, blankets, mosquito nets and cooking utensils.

In other areas of Guadalcanal (pop. 93,613), there are two confirmed fatalities and an estimated 40,000 people affected. River systems across the northwest, central and north of the island have flooded, destroying homes, damaging bridges and displacing families. There are also reports of landslides and loss of food gardens.

Other provinces are starting to report impacts, but there is still limited communication to many areas. In Makira-Ulawa (pop. 40,419), an aerial survey was conducted, with the Waihauru Bridge cut-off and reports of damage from a 6.0 magnitude earthquake two days ago. In Malaita (pop. 137,596), floods have destroyed houses and blocked roads. In Isabel (pop. 26,158), a landslide and flooding in Buala has resulted in two deaths, although it is unclear if these fatalities are included in total statistics.

Honiara International Airport has reopened to limited commercial flights as navigation lights are damaged and the domestic terminal is flooded.

The National Referral Hospital is open and accepting new patients. There are concerns flooded areas and contaminated water supplies will lead to increased risks of infection and outbreaks of water-borne and vector-borne diseases.

PDG Stuart J Batty QSM,JP

Director

RNZWCS Limited (Rotary New Zealand)

PO Box 20309

Christchurch 8543

New Zealand

Ph/Fax 64 3 3599218

cellphone 027 2695615

stuart.batty@rnzwcs.org

www.rnzwcs.org

Letter of Appreciation for Emergency Response Kits sent to Vanuatu

Letter as sent to Stuart Batty, Director, RNZWCS Ltd (Rotary New Zealand):

G'day Stuart

The Director of NDMO, Shadrack Welegtabit,has asked that we send a note of
appreciation for the Emergency Response Kits provided by Rotary New Zealand.
I understand a mention should go to the Rotary Club of Otahuhu who packed
the kits and of course your Rotary colleagues in Port Vila and Luganville.

I have just returned from Santo, so saw first hand the quality and variety
of your relief items. In addition, the excellent plastic boxes that
protecting the materiel during transportation will also have a very useful
secondary life with the communities you are assisting in Santo.

The assessment mission identified, in the remote and isolated West Coast
2 communities, 16 families in Patmel and Wunavai and boarding school at
Selusia, for immediate assistance.
The school with nearly 100 pupils and teachers lost roofing and the
important school gardens were badly damaged.
The Rotary assistance, with other urgent supplies are being delivered to
these locations.
As they are remote,in fact several boat days away and expensive to reach,
our teams are using a Police launch.

It was mentioned when the Emergency Response Kits were handed over that
Rotary was thinking of pre-positioning in Vanuatu additional kits. This is
something very useful and would be warmly welcomed, if you inform NDMO, we
would again facilitate customs and duty exemptions. We would also added the
details to our in country emergency stock database.

The Rotary assistance was very welcome and much appreciated by Vanuatu.

On behalf of Director Shadrack and the NDMO team

Many thanks

Terry

Terry Lewis
Emergency Logistics Coordinator
National Disaster Management Office
Vanuatu

More information:  www.rnzwcs.org

11th December 2013 marks a decade of achievement for Rotary New Zealand World Community Service

Rotary New Zealand (RNZWCS Limited) was established in 1984 and incorporated on 11 December 2003 in the year following the establishment of NZAID by the then New Zealand government. Rotary historically aspired to a similar ethos since its formation in 1905, as to that behind NZAID, "Towards a Safe and Just World Free of Poverty". NZAID was disestablished in 2009 with the government declaring "Lifting people out of poverty depends directly on increasing economic growth and strengthening trade.” This change reflected the broader view that had been taken by Rotary New Zealand in the intervening years with some significant sustainable livelihood activities established with financial support from NZAID during that period. Since 2009,

Rotary New Zealand has embraced this philosophy with many social and economic development activities being implemented in Pacific countries as well India and Tanzania. Rotary applauds the partnership opportunities that are made possible through the support of government and the public of New Zealand.

The challenge for donors is to avoid creating global “social welfare” as is becoming increasingly evident in some countries, a spokesperson said.. Rotary, historically a volunteer organisation is conscious that to lift people out of poverty requires creation of self-determination through transference of skills and encouraging people to do it for themselves. That is why they recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VSA Volunteer Service Abroad to provide a vehicle for Rotarians to volunteer for more skills based activities.

In the past decade, Rotary New Zealand has also adapted to the change and frequency of humanitarian disasters. The Rotary Emergency Response Kits packed in New Zealand by Rotarians and supporters are now prepositioned in six strategic places in the Pacific. This ensures that as soon as the event permits, with the collaboration of National Disaster Management Offices, distribution of essential items takes place.

The Board of Rotary New Zealand will meet in Wellington on the 10th Anniversary, 11 December 2013 and will reflect on the changes that have occurred in the International Aid and Development Sector in the past decade and endorse its strategic and business plans going forward..

 

Website: www.rnzwcs.org.nz

Conference Key Note Speakers from Africa will Amaze and Inform

One aspect of Rotary Involvement is the opportunity to attend the annual Rotary conference and hear some amazing interesting and / or motivational speakers that help open the opportunities that are available for all.

Here is an example:


Districts 9970 and 9930 are holding their conferences in Methven and Napier in May at which the combined attendance will be in the vicinity of 900.

Key Note Speakers at both have travelled from East Africa and will be giving an insight on one of the most successful projects that Rotary New Zealand supported by the New Zealand Government have undertaken.

The Kondiki Milk Processing Plant, a co-operative dairy of 210 mostly women members, has become a major source of livelihoods and income for local families.  The facility is now the most up-to-date and modern automatic milk processing plant in Tanzania, as a result of the direct investment of the New Zealand Government and Rotary New Zealand. The Plant initially had the capacity to process 800 litres of milk per day, and has increased its processing capacity to more than 5,000 litres per day. 

As a result of the earlier activity the plant is increasing its daily processing and is on a trajectory to process 2,000 litres daily from existing co-operative members by September 2013 (as a result of gradually increasing numbers of milk producing cows from the cow bank system) in the medium term.  However, 2,000 litres is the maximum projected supply from members.  The supply of raw milk is limited by the number of cows and quality of breed, inadequate animal husbandry and green feed management, and because marketing strategies are still developing.

PP Dr.Sadikiel Kimaro Ph.D. in economics

Born the youngest of 6 children in 1941 on a coffee farm in Mwika, on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. He came to the U.S. on Afro-American scholarship programme in 1960. He has a BA from Gustavus Adolfus College (magna cum laude) in St. Paul, MN; an MA from Syracuse University, and earned a Ph.D. from SUNY, Binghamton where he studied under a Rockerfeller scholarship.

In 1971, he began his life-long career with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which took him to almost all countries on the African continent and to the Caribbean. In 1990, he was a visiting scholar with the Brookings’ Institute in Washington DC while he was on sabbatical leave from the IMF. There, his area of focus was on conflict resolution.
Upon retiring as advisor from the IMF in 1999 he served briefly as Economic advisor to the then President of Tanzania until 2005. Since then he has devoted full time to community development as a Rotarian and as chairman of the Mwika Development Trust Fund (MWIDEFU).

Young Kimaro Ph.D. candidate, economics

Born the youngest of 6 children in 1946 in Seoul, Korea. Her brief stint as a child actress on TV came to a stop when she left for U.K. with her parents where she attended school from grades 6 to 10. She has a BA in political science from Yonsei University (magna cum laude), Korea. A Fullbright scholarship took her to the U.S. where she studied African politics at SUNY, Binghamton.

She joined the World Bank in 1972, attended the University of Maryand graduate school with World Bank sponsorship and became a Ph.D. candidate in economics in 1987. Her career with the World Bank, spanned from strategizing development assistance, education projects, and moderating quality review panels for World Bank operations.

Upon retiring from the World Bank in 2001, for 7 years she wrote a weekly column “Development with Commonsense” in the Daily News, a national newspaper in Tanzania. Now she devotes full time to community development for Mwika Development Trust Fund (MWIDEFU) and as a Rotarian.


Website:  www.rnzwcs.org

9940’s ‘Gold Star’ initiative helps fund international projects

To encourage funding of international projects by Rotary Clubs, District 9940 has introduced a ‘Gold Star’ programme.

 

Put simply, any club or group of clubs that contributes $NZ1000 to an international project is recognized within the District as a Gold Star club.

As Sandra Bartlam of the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley explains, “many clubs wished to be involved in International Service but did not have the resources to take on a big project. Other clubs had projects in place and were continuing to support them. So the Gold Star concept was planned to allow clubs to have input and flexibility in a project.”

·         A club can contribute any amount of funds or items to the project

·         The club with all others in their cluster can contribute up to a thousand dollars and become a Gold Star Cluster, This will mean 5 clubs in a cluster will contribute $200 each and be part of the project

·         Or a club can become an individual contributor of $1,000.00 and be a Gold Star Club.

Rotary Clubs that have already achieved Gold Star status include Harbour City, Hutt City, Hutt Valley, Karori, Petone and Wellington

Source:  RNZWCS Ltd Newsletter, April 2013

Kerikeri Rotary Club makes a difference at Viseisei Sai Health Centre

Thanks to the efforts of seven Rotary clubs and the Rotary Foundation, a $NZ24,000 solar power system will now generate electricity for the Viseisei Sai Health Centre Trust in Viseisei Village, Lautoka, Fiji. The Medical Centre is located at a Rotahome village between Nadi and Lautoka. It is a registered charitable trust and aims to give free health care to the 15000 people in the surrounding area.

The project commenced when the Rotary Club of Kerikeri chose Viseisei Medical Centre to assist with medical supplies. “By the time we got our act together they had received funding from another source and the idea of the solar power electricity was proposed” said current President Vicki Douglas. This proposal then evolved into a matching grant project involving seven clubs and taking three years to complete.

Led by the Kerikeri club, contributions were made by the Rotary Clubs of Norfolk Island, Bay of Islands, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Waipapa and Lautoka, with a matching grant from the Rotary Foundation.

All the work was carried out at a local level, using Clay Engineering Ltd in Suva as the contractor. The system is a 4.2KW Grid Connect System The installation of the solar panels was completed in November 2012. “We were concerned when the cyclone went through Fiji, but thankfully a few fallen trees was the only damage to the immediate area and the building and solar units were unharmed. However, commissioning of the project was delayed because the Fiji Electricity Board was busy restoring power to the 30% of people who were affected by the cyclone” said Vicki.

Kerikeri Rotarian Mahmood Khan visited Fiji throughout the project’s development. Other key members were Past President John Toms and Past Assistant Governor Keith Day. “Without their tenacity, and that of our club Treasurer Jenny James, this project would have fallen flat” said Vicki.

Vicki concluded “Despite a number of funding hiccups we have learnt a great deal from this project and look forward to being involved in other international projects. That is what I love about Rotary – the ability to make a difference not only in the local community but further afield.”

Source:  RNZWCS Ltd Newsletter, April 2013.