Thank you to everyone who has played a part in connecting with community, making a difference and Doing Good in the World.
We had a good meeting on 19th at Hardimans where I was able to report on the 2 international containers and their successful arrival. It was good to see Hayden, Beate and Bill, and Josie again.
Peter and Abdi are delighted that their medical aid has reached Sri Lanka and Jarriban respectively. Keep watching for more news and photos.
I hope to see you all on Wednesday 2nd April for breakfast at Mama Bear Cafe.
Lesley
Playground extraction at Aberfeldie Park, Essendon:
This was a 2 part project with marking on the Saturday and loading on the Monday.
Thanks to the 2 teams of Shraddha and Sami, Anwar, Nicole, Samira and David Dippie who marked and colour coded, and to Peter, Drew and John who loaded the DiK truck.
Chris, Carolina, Jo, Lesley, Peter and Bev and Nahla attended the morning tea in recognition of Harmony Week/Cultural Diversity at Djerring Hub.
We were able to reconnect with many friends and colleagues including Hadia, Shadia, Dilek, Edem, Ilona and Mahongo from the Hub; and Antoinette, Jacqui, Emma and Mitch from Council.
Sri Lanka Stroke Project:
Dr Harsha, chair of the Sri Lanka Stroke Association has sent though a report and photos from the first dispersal to the Nagoda Teaching Hospital.
This is one of the hos[pitals which Peter and Bev visited on their trip in 2023.
This sticker is attached to every piece of equipment which is sent to a hospital, recognising our club, Rotary Colombo, DiK, RARE and the Sri Lankan Association of Australia who assisted with the South Australian container.
Abdi and I were ecstatic to receive an invitation to attend the formal opening of the container at the Jarriban University on 14th March. GoogleMeet.
Dr Sayid Abdulle from the hospital has been a strong support on the ground, enabling clearance from pot and transport via truck from Bosasso to Jarriban. He MC'd the ceremony which was attended by a number of dignitaries. There was great excitement and applause as the doors were opened and such gratitude for our assistance.
This project was delivered with a supporting grant from the District 9800 Rotary Foundation.
Additional photos will be sent as goods are unpacked and distributed.
Nepal Education and teacher training: Shraddha is coordinating a delegation to visit Nepal and Sri Lanka in mid late September. Peter has been in contact with his friendly travel agent, and tentative visits have been organised with RC Kathmandu and RC Colombo.
Please advise Jo if you are interested in this trip.
The Fundraising APP is in progress. Peter and Shraddha are working with Darryll Chappell at Sputnik. This has been made possible by a grant from Bendigo Bank.
Books to Somalia: A container has been organised and is in place in St Albans where a large quantity of books were delivered by Peter Cribb, Abdi and friends some weeks ago. These were collected from our connection Robert Akeroyd, who supplied the books for the Maldives.
Books have also been organised through Donations in Kind, and from the Op Shop.
Our contribution is in people, books and school stationary and a small financial contribution towards shipping. Thanks to Peter and Abdiwahid for their work.
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OP SHOP REPORT AND ROSTER:
The shop is now managed by Rotarians who are on duty each day with assistance from our wonderful volunteers.
There have been changes to parking in Clarence Street - I have negotiated for us to be able to park in the Industrie Carpark.
Hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm
WEDNESDAY; Lesley, Deborah, Vinh and Rui
THURSDAY: Deborah, Vinh and Rui, Barbara, Ann and Chelsea
FRIDAY: Shraddha, Jo, Vinh and Rui, Nahla
SATURDAY: Chris, Karolina, Nahla, Laura
Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Volunteers are needed. If you are able, please allocate a few hours a month to OUR hands on project! We would like to reopen on Tuesdays.
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Youth Projects:
Youth Projects is helping the most vulnerable people living in the centre of the city of Melbourne. They provide food, medical care, connections with essential services as well as clothing and bedding for those living rough.
Peter Duras from Rotary Central Melbourne calls at the Op Shop monthly to collect our excess stock. Can you help?
With winter approaching there is a request for adult sized socks, men's underwear, jackets, jumpers, hoodies, blankets, sleeping bags, backpacks.
Donate at the op Shop please.
Caroline Chisholm Society and the NEC project:
Rotary Essendon has asked for new or good quality used baby and children’s clothing up to the age of 5 for winter.
Pease do not donate anything you wouldn’t want your own children or grandchildren wearing.
A special need is for items for the Newborn Unit. If you are a knitter they have stock of wool for you to knit new items as well.
Contact Lesley.
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Clean water, sanitation and good hygiene is a human right.
When people, especially children, have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, they lead healthier and more successful lives.
We don’t just build wells and walk away. Rotary members integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into education projects.
When children learn about disease transmission and practice good hygiene, they miss less school and they take those lessons home to their families, expanding our impact.
For the 16th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.
The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
This our Foundation, where Rotarians donate their $
C
a, chair of the Sri Lanka Stroke Association has sent though a report and photos from the first dispersal to the Nagoda Teaching Hospital.
were ecstatic to receive an invitation to attend the formal opening of the container at the Jarriban University on 14th March. GoogleMeet.
Rotary Essendon has asked for 
the U.S.
