PROJECTS
Projects and Initiatives
International
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. We are involved in projects overseas, mainly with direct input from our members.
Much of our international projects are supported financially, through the generosity of our local community through our fund-raising events especially the Beach-to-Beach Fun Run, held in the fourth Sunday of August each year.
Fiji
Papua New Guinea
A little girl in New Guinea desperately needed an operation to repair a hole in her heart. Rotary organised flights, surgeons and accommodation, which resulted in saving this young girl’s life. We also sent containers of books, educational and vocational items including sewing machines and technical equipment to Porgera in the remote highlands.
Indonesia
In 2018, the island of Lombok was hit by two consecutive earthquakes, 6.9 and 6.3 magnitude. 500 were killed, 7000 injured, 74,000 homes destroyed, displacing more than 400,000. Infrastructure was destroyed and basic services such as water and electricity compromised. We supported Waves4Water to get ???
Tonga
After Cyclone Gita in 2018 we sent a container of medical and other equipment for Tonga’s main hospital, working with the Consulate of Tonga and Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa.
The eruption of an underwater volcano in January 2022 devastated this tiny nation. We co-ordinated relief, assisted with a grant application and liaising with the Tongan community to send goods. During the Covid-19 pandemic we sent a container of donated N-95 masks.
Lebanon
Bangladesh
AusBangla Care for Dental (ABCD)
The purpose of this project is to provide essential dental care and services for the poor people in schools and slum areas in Dhaka and rural regions of Bangladesh.
We are partnered with the Rotary Club of Dhaka and the NGO Forum for Public Health in Bangladesh. The latter is the organiser of logistics.
This project was started in 2013 by Dr Sandra Meihubers, a dentist and until recently a member of Rotary Club of Warringah. Dr Shahana (Sunny) Dastagir a dentist based in Dhaka, drove the program and Sandra was the main support and encourager, organizing teams of dentists from Australia to take part in the project.
The project is now under review. Dr Nahid Sayma, an Bangladeshi expat dentist working in the Blacktown area of Sydney is now taking primary responsibility for renegotiating Sunny and with NGO Forum for Public Health in Nepal the structure and goals of project. When a new model is agreed upon, a proposal for financial support with be put to our Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Dhaka. It is hoped that it will continue as a RAWCS registered project.
Nepal
Nepal Village Development
This project commenced in 2003 initiated by Sandra Meihubers and her late husband Paul Pholerios, for many years provided dental care, using the same model that was duplicated in the above project, and sanitation for villages, schools and individual homes. After the 2015 earthquake, the project broadened its scope to include reconstruction work.
Because the project has finally been taken over by local people in Nepal and no longer need the support of Rotary, the RAWCS account for this project was closed on 20 June this year.
The remaining funds in the RAWCS account have been disbursed, approximately $5000 to each of two RAWCS projects:
Supporting Education in Run Ta Aek Cambodia;
Dental Care in Timor Leste; sponsored by Rotary Club of Chatswood and initiated by Dr Sandra Meihubers.
Cambodia
Supporting Education in Run TaAek, Cambodia (RAOAF)
Former member of our Club, Don Rosenfeldt, initiated this project during his year as President of Rotary Club Phnom Penh. Our Club and individual members continue to support this project, but most support comes from members of the public here and in Cambodia and the Rotary Club of Phnom Penh.
The purpose of the project is to support and improve the education of children from the remote region of Run Ta Aek, Cambodia by setting up and establishing education programs and building facilities.CHOICE Cambodia and Rotary partners, has funded and built school facilities and is currently assisting provide food for very poor families.