Rotary International President 2023-24, R. Gordon R. McInally, a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Lothian, Scotland, says, "As we reflect on an extraordinary year, I am so proud and inspired by how our clubs found innovative ways to connect with their members, communities, and the world.
Gordon said to Rotary District Governors, including our 2023-24 District 5040 Governor Shirley-Pat Gale, "During the 2023-2024 Rotary year, under your leadership, the clubs in your district worked to increase their membership, contribute to The Rotary Foundation, serve their communities, participate in Rotary programs, improve their public image, and so much more. As a result, at least half of the Rotary clubs in your district earned the 2023-2024 Rotary Citation."
Among the diabetic patients of Thanyaburi Hospital, in Pathum Thani, Thailand, as many as 100 who have experienced complications from diabetic retinopathy may now have a better chance of avoiding blindness thanks to a new $35,112 Fundus Camera provided through a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation. Fundus photography involves photographing the rear of the eye known as the fundus.
For its 8280 diabetes patients the Hospital did not have the equipment to examine them for complications of diabetic retinopathy. Patients have had to wait several months to get this test done or not have it done at all. Those who managed to be referred to Pathumthani Hospital for the examination, 28 km away, there was the challenge of transportation and additional expenses that they could not afford as a barrier to timely treatment before progress of the disease progress.
Achievements and activities of some of our clubs in Rotary District 5040 in the past 30 days or so. Star Fish Pack and Backpack Buddies weekend food programs, shown here, are back in action at various Rotary clubs in the District at the start of the new school year for students from families in need.
Polio (poliomyelitis) is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.
On World Polio Day, October 24th, a group of Rotarians and friends of various ages participated in the annual Walk for Polio, starting at City Hall, where Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Vancouver Councillors Lisa Dominato, Lenny Zhou and Pete Fry, presented the City's Proclamation in support of the worldwide day to mark the success, but journey ahead, in ridding the world of polio. -- photos by Ken Choy, Rotaract Club of Richmond
For the 12,000 residents of Terrace and area, including 2,000 children, and visitors to the community, the 150-acre Ferry Island park and campground, close to the city centre, provides a year-round play and recreation area -- trail network, off-leash dog area and artisanal features -- and during the summer half of the year, affordable accommodation often for music and sports events.
Rotary Clubs of Terrace and of Terrace Skeena Valley created a playground on Ferry Island over 20 years ago. The playground's original equipment was showing its age so the City wanted to update and expand it. On top of City of Terrace's $28,700 funding for the $40,000 playground upgrade Rotary Club of Terrace contributed $7,581.00 plus a Rotary District 5040 Grant of $3,800.
In Pender Harbour the Serendipity Child Care Society is the only daycare program within a 20km radius to serve working families. The Society, run by volunteers and paid early childhood education workers, provides a daycare and social growth and development program for 15 to 20 toddlers and infants and their families. Its fundraising aims to keep daycare affordable and self-sustaining.
The Rotary Club of Pender Harbour Madeira Park purchased $3,150 in equipment the Society needed, with support of a $1,050 District Grant from The Rotary Foundation. The equipment included run bikes, tricycles, helmets, outside and inside water tables, play kitchen, sun/rain sandbox protection and educational toys.
The City of Delta recently completed the $650,000 Stokes and Cullis Plaza as a resident and visitor meeting place and rest area in the centre of Ladner Village. The plaza is part of the Ladner Village Community Plan. It emerged from recommendations made by the Ladner Village Renewal Advisory Committee in 2020. The new plaza includes oversized planters to act as a visual anchor to welcome visitors and provide wooden seating with coloured light poles illuminated in the evening.
In keeping with Rotary’s Area of Focus to Protect the Environment, the Rotary Club of Ladner contributed $25,000 to the project for the installation of two E-bike charging stations, included in the City's plan. The club also sponsored a large wooden bench seating area at the entrance to the plaza. This Rotary contribution included a District Grant of $8,288 from The Rotary Foundation.
Assistant Governor and District Strategic & Action Planning Chair, Rotarian Ron Shaw of the Rotary Club of Lionsgate North Vancouver, is now confirmed as District Governor Nominee Designate to serve as District Governor in 2027-2028.
The 260 inmates of the men's prison in Arua, 475 km north-west of Kampala, Uganda, no longer have to sleep on the floor. For the past year they have been able to sleep on mattresses with covers, providing a more dignified stay while at the prison. When inmates are treated more humanely, it has a measured impact on recidivism. It's felt that providing more humane living conditions while incarcerated can help ensure a better reintegration into society upon their release. This not only has a direct impact on the quality of life for those in the facility, but can then have ripple effects into the broader community.
With the cooperation of the Uganda Prisons Service, Rotary Club of New Westminster provided $10,095 for 300 Rotary branded mattresses and blankets, along with 2 spray pumps and pesticides. Included in that funding was a $3,365 Rotary District 5040 Grant from The Rotary Foundation.