FISH & CHIP JUMPERS

When Sue Mees, President of Rotary Browns Bay, visited her family in Guernsey for Christmas, her suitcase and that of her husband Paul (also a member of Rotary Browns Bay), did not contain the usual winter holiday gear.  That’s because Sue had 140 tiny jumpers, many with matching beanies,  to deliver to her friend Dr Susan Wilson of the Tumaini Fund, which provides support to the Kagera district in Nigeria.  

Fortunately, all of Sue and Paul’s winter clothes had been left behind in Guernsey after their last trip.  This was when Sue first met Dr Susan, who told her of the Fish and Chip babies in Africa.  These are the ‘AIDS babies’ who are sent home after birth, wrapped in newspaper.  Women in Guernsey have been knitting baby jumpers for some time, and Sue brought the pattern back to New Zealand with her.  

This project has captured the hearts of the Rotary community and local women from Probus, the 60s Up group, Rotarians and their family members are knitting with enthusiasm.  There are already another 150 jumpers ready to go.  Dr Wilson packs up crates and sends them to Nigeria in containers.  Her charity assists the whole community by providing clean drinking water, medical care and essential supplies.  She visits the country frequently to work amongst the people.

To find out more about this amazing charity, go to http://www.tumainifund.org.uk/contact/

Fish and chip babies get help

Sue Mees centre with the team.  

‘Fish and chip babies’ are children born with nothing and often sent home wrapped in newspaper for warmth.

The Tumaini Fund was established by Susan Wilson to provide some support for the babies in Kagera, Tanzania, many of whom are orphans, born with AIDS or raised by single mothers.  Susan Wilson said “All these mothers and babies had to hang onto was hope.”

Sue Mees, President of Browns Bay Rotary turned what started as a pastime into a project of hope and gathered up about 20 women from the Browns Bay Rotary and Torbay Probus Club and got them all behind the cause. “It’s 100 babies that are going to have an item of clothing.  It’s just a drop in the ocean but it makes a difference” Mees says.

The women knit jumpers all using the same pattern and made up of bright colours.

Photo courtesy of Zizi Sparks/Fairfax Media

Hope and education restored

Destroyed.

Ambrym Island in Vanuatu lost its school in Cyclone Pam. The students and teachers of Embossung Primary School have been reduced to coping with school classes for 6 to 8 year olds are under tarpaulins and bamboo framing at present.  Add to that the destruction of the sanitation and water supply facilities and one starts to get some idea of the magnitude of the need, especially as the rainy season approached.

In steps Rotary to help. 

Rotarians from Browns Bay, Nelson and Birkenhead alongside Rotarians from Australia and a few builders.  As Past Governor for 9910 David Oliver put it, "It's a pretty major project being done fairly remotely and the work falls, to a large extent on a small number of people".  

The school will be rebuilt at a cost of $150,000 funded by Rotary clubs, the Ministry of Affairs and Trade and fundraising projects including Givealittle.  The structure pictured has been closed in before the rains came and the plumbing and sanitation will be installed mid-2016.  There is no electricity on the island and all water comes from the collection of rainwater.
 

Rotary Spring Step Out for the Well Foundation

With all the hype about Auckland’s booming property market in NZ, here’s your chance to stroll past the city’s latest multi-million dollar housing development, with priceless sea views to boot.

The inaugural Spring Step Out event will be held on Sunday October 12 offering an outstanding walking route which begins at Long Bay College at 8:30am and heads through the Long Bay Regional Park, right up to Piripiri Point above the Okura River, then return to Long Bay College, where a sausage sizzle and cold drinks will be waiting.

The full distance to the turnaround point at Piripiri Point and back is 13 km, but other turnaround points give walkers the option of 6km, 8.5km, or 11km distances.

The Spring Step Out will support the Well Foundation to raise funds for an Ultrasound Procedural Training Unit which will become the first national teaching facility of its kind for medical staff. The unit will use mannequins that have life-like anatomy to help specialists train staff in ultrasound guided medical procedures.

Rotary Browns Bay is organising the event and hopes to attract 500 to 1000 people to take part in the walk. From the proceeds of entry fees, they are aiming to raise between $10,000 and $20,000 towards the purchase of the $125,000 unit. Sponsorship from Todd Property Group and Bayleys Real Estate will cover the general running costs to allow proceeds from the event to go towards the unit.

Browns Bay Rotary President, Tony Hooks, is pleased to support the foundation’s fundraising project and at the same time hold an enjoyable event for the entire community.

“The Well Foundation’s objective of boosting health and wellness in Auckland’s north and west aligns well with our goals for the event; to encourage people to lead an active and healthy lifestyle and get out to enjoy the fresh air and outdoors,” explains Tony.  “With beautiful scenery, stunning views and walking distances to suit every fitness level and age, this is a day for everyone to be a part of.”

Well Foundation CEO, Andrew Young, is pleased to be chosen as the recipient charity of the event, particularly because it is family-friendly and will hopefully appeal to the wider community. “We’re thrilled to be the chosen charity for the Rotary Spring Step Out and excited to be working alongside Rotary Browns Bay for this incredibly exciting inaugural event,” says Andrew.

Secure parking will be available in the College grounds for a gold coin donation to the College.  Please note that no dogs are allowed into the regional park.          

To register for the event or more information visit www.rotarybb.kiwi. To keep up with the latest news and updates, follow the event at www.facebook.com/LongBay.StepOut.