ROTARY CENTURION FOOTPRINTS · 2013. 5. 9. · ROTARY CENTURION FOOTPRINTS July - December 2012 The...

ROTARY

CENTURION

FOOTPRINTS

JULY – DECEMBER 2012

ROTARY CENTURION FOOTPRINTS July - December 2012

ROTARY PRINCIPLES

THE OBJECT OF ROTARY

The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of

worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.

SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition

of worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s

occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal,

business and community life.

FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and

peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united

in the ideal of service.

THE FOUR-WAY TEST

Of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

GRACE

For food, friends, fellowship and the opportunity to serve, we thank You, o Lord.

May we ever be mindful of the needs of others. AMEN


ROTARY INFORMATION

What would it take to change the world?

Rotary's 1.2 million members believe it starts with a commitment to Service Above

Self.

In more than 34,000 clubs worldwide, you'll find members volunteering in

communities at home and abroad to support education and job training, provide

clean water, combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, and eradicate polio.

There's something that all Rotary club members have in common: We take action.

As community volunteers, we reach out to neighbours in need. We build, support,

and organize. We save lives. We work locally and globally.

Around the world and around the corner, the 1.2 million men and women of Rotary

Get involved in their communities

Connect with other professionals

Share their time and experience with young people

Support global causes, such as eradicating polio

Use their skills to help others

Whether you're a veteran volunteer or new to community service,

we're looking for people like you!

www.rotary.org

http://www.rotary.org/


MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

I started my year with the intention of consolidating the club’s increased membership

into a more cohesive group and to do this by increasing the number of fellowship

events as well as reducing the length of meetings and making them more fun.

Looking back I can now say it’s always easier said than done. Projects seem to have

a way of overtaking my intentions, but nevertheless it is all good.

Reviewing the last six months, it feels to me that with relatively little effort our club

has achieved a lot.

Membership:

Since we started our year with 13 members and a goal of 25 members at the end of

June 2012, we realised we have a challenging task ahead of us. Nevertheless I am

confident that our club has the ability to grow to a healthy number of members, with

the help of all involved.

On the 30th August, we inducted Jonathan Greengrass and Neil Patrick, both of

whom were introduced by Ian McKechnie. (Thank you) This was followed by the

induction of Felicity and Leon Jones during the DG’s visit in September. A very warm

welcome to our four new members, who are already making their presence felt.

We have some other potential members in the “pipeline”, and I want to encourage

you all to invite a friend (or more) to come and visit us and be introduced to the club

and our activities, and to potential membership.

Steven Oji, a Rotarian from Stuttgart who has transferred to South Africa on contract,

has also visited our club. I remind you of our club brochure and the Friends of Rotary

program as tools to attract new members.

Fellowship Events and Speakers

Thanks to our very active Fellowship Director Jessica Keil, we have had two very

successful events – Dinner at the Irene Bistro and the Minute to Win It Family Fun

Day held jointly with the Pretoria Sunrise Rotary Club at Groenkloof Nature Reserve.

Both events were well attended and in particular the last one was a lot of fun. It has

been captured on video, which is available to anyone who wishes to borrow it.

We also had interesting speakers visit us – Marlize van Wyk, who spoke to us about

“Creating value by embracing change”, and Wendy Barrett, Head of Social

Responsibility at Cornwall Hill College.

We have introduced the practise of periodically getting one of our members to be our

speaker, to get to know each other better. So far we have had Miloud, Andrew and

Hans speak. It’s time we have one of the ladies telling us about themselves.


PROJECTS

I am very proud about the number of projects we were able to complete in the last 6

months:

We started the Rotary Year with Irene and Phillip, in conjunction with Cornwall Hill

College, visiting the Inkululeko Community Centre on the 4th July where they

delivered blankets and told stories. This was followed by a book sale in Sunnyside

on the 7th July and a visit by myself, together with Bob, Kim and Helen Erasmus, to

the new Olivenhoutbosch Primary School to assess their needs.

On the 18th July, Mandela Day, Wilma, Gawie and Sonia delivered blankets for the

Sonskyn elderly and celebrated Christmas in July (these blankets were part of the

Club’s collection of blankets from the May blanket drive), while the Club was at Irene

Homes assisting the contract workshop with the packing of goodie bags. On the

same day, Jessica took 7 boxes of books donated by Cornwall Hill College to

Soshanguwe High School.

At the end of July, various members donated the balance of the 209 blankets

collected in May, to Dove’s Nest childrens shelter, Irene Homes, the Anglican

Church, Kings Hope and a Safe Home at Hartebeespoort Dam.

In August, we once again helped out at Irene Homes packing goodies to assist them

in completing their contract. We packed a total of about 3000 bags over the two days

we volunteered. In addition we ordered and received 1500 pairs of shoes from

TOM’S Shoes in the USA for free distribution to needy communities.

On the 29th September, after being rained out on the 22nd, we arrived at a very poorly

attended Rock Raceway track for the potjie competition. In spite of the weather and

poor numbers, we managed to raise about R300 and get third prize in the

competition. Good fellowship nevertheless!

October saw us visiting New Beginningz and delivering to them the Dischem

Vouchers and Milk formula obtained with a US$2000 District Grant, as well as the

packing of Comfort Bags for Women Against Rape, also obtained with a US$2000

District Grant and some help from Revlon.

November had Louis and Bob putting up shelves at our newly delivered Philena

School Library for 9 hours (wow!), as well as the Rivoningo Fundraiser organised by

Doug, where we raised over R20000. A new project – Ivory Park RE YA KGOLA -

centre for AIDS orphans was also started by Saskia (Bob and Brigitte’s daughter).

The club collected and donated around R4000 worth of goods. Marilyn also arranged

the collection of firemen’s clothes distribution to Olivenhoutbosch’s residents. Thanks

to Nelspruit Club that gave us the connection.

In December Val organised the delivery of several chests of drawers to Dove’s Nest

that were sponsored by Vanstone Precast.


The total amount of value donated in goods and services comes to R169,925.00 and

the number of man-hours of service given by our club and friends to our projects is

523.6.

I believe this is truly amazing. Thank you for all the support you have given me and

all that you have done for our community. I look forward to the next six months!

May 2013 bring you much health and happiness.

Yours in Rotary

Clara Keil

President


COMMUNITY SERVICE

GRANT HANDOVER AT NEW BEGINNINGZ

The Rotary Club of Centurion

obtained a Rotary District Grant

of US$2000 in July 2012 and

with this money bought

vouchers from Dischem to the

value of R15000 and Baby

formula to the value of R1000.

The vouchers are meant to be

used for medicines and special

formula milk for the babies at

the New Beginningz Haven for

Babies. The vouchers and Baby

Formula were delivered to New Beginningz on the afternoon of the 6th October

2012. Below is a short explanation about this worthwhile project:

Due to the increasing numbers of abandoned, neglected and abused babies in need

of love, care and attention the

Haven opened in Laudium early

in 2009 in order to

accommodate more of these

little ones. The Haven

incorporates all the areas of

care and nurturing. It was

initially intended to house 6

babies and toddlers at a time

but due to the ever increasing

need, during 2009 & 2010 a

total of 83 Babies and Toddlers


have been cared for between

the Haven and Tahiya's house.

The staff complement at the

Haven comprises 4 Full time

Housemothers, 2 Cleaning

Ladies, an Office Administrator,

& 4 long term, totally dedicated

Volunteers they call Angels.

This year they want to employ a

part time Senior Social Worker and Auxiliary Social Worker. All of their Staff &

Volunteers are crucial for the effective running of all the projects! We urge you, if you

know of any willing sponsors to contribute towards salaries, to please inform them.

On behalf of every one at the New BeginningZ Baby Haven

We would like to say a Very Big;

Thank You For Your Remarkable Donation of R15 000.00 in Dischem vouchers and 24 x

tins Baby Formula.

Without the kind assistance from people like you we would not be able to do what we

do.

We take so much for granted in our everyday lives and we often forget just how

fortunate we are.

Lots of Love & Warm Regards,

Tahiya, Staff & the Children

COMFORT BAGS TO WOMEN AGAINST RAPE (WAR) – GRANT

The Rotary Club of Centurion also obtained a Rotary District Grant of US$2000 in

July 2012 for the benefit of Women against Rape (WAR) and used this money to

provide comfort packs to WAR. These comfort bags are provided to rape victims

(male and female) by WAR.


The comfort bags and contents

were procured by Rotarians using

the grant money and through

donations. Work parties were held

to pack the bags – thanks to Irene

Homes for the use of your

workshop facilities.

Janine Rowley from WAR was

invited to one of our meetings in

November to receive the comfort

bags.


BLANKET DONATIONS – JULY 2012

We accompanied the Young Round Square attendees and Cornwall Hill College

representatives to Inkululeko, where we gave each of the 72 learners a blanket, a toy

and a packet of sweets. Children’s story books were also donated to the Centre. The

children loved the visit and were delighted with the face painting!

The remaining blankets were delivered to a children’s shelter (the Jedidah Safe

Haven and Children Crisis Centre) in Hartbeespoort on Mandela Day.

This ever expanding shelter is a refuge for destitute children in the community and

recently suffered a tragic loss in a fire. The Safe Haven is currently the only place of

safety in the Hartbeespoortdam/Brits area for children or victims of domestic

violence. The Safe Haven is home to 38 children, ranging from 4 months to 16 years.

The grim reality of the situation is that the Safe Haven cannot function without help

from sponsors.

The blankets were raised in a drive by the

students of Cornwall Hill College and the

generous contribution was handed over by

Rev Grant Thistlewhite and members of the

Centurion Rotary Club on behalf of the

school.


DOVES NEST – LYTTELTON

Doves Nest is a place of safety for children, located in Potgieter St, Lyttelton. Run by

Isilda Felix, she typically has about 15-17 children being cared for, about half of

whom are aged 0-2 years.

In August 2012 the numbers were 0-2yrs (8) and 7-11yrs (7).

Some of the blankets obtained through the blanket drive in May were delivered by

PP Kim Geyser to Doves Nest in Lyttelton. Chests of drawers were also donated.

We are presently looking at various other projects in support of Doves Nest. One of

their pressing needs is for an expansion of their bathroom facilities and we are

actively investigating possibilities in this respect.

Other needs include painting of cots, laundry relocation and upgrade, repair and

painting of ceilings, and various other painting and general repair and maintenance

requirements. A PC (or more) and printer for the homework area for the older

children would also be a valued addition.

MANDELA DAY PROJECT – IRENE HOMES

The Work Centre at Irene Homes undertakes packing services to assist in fund

raising for the home and depends largely on volunteers. They needed help to fulfill a

contract of packing 20 different goodies into 25000 goodie bags for runners at a

major road running event (the annual Spar Ladies race)

The Rotary Club of Centurion, Anns and Friends of Rotary, in conjunction with a

Scouts troop and Rover crew (from 23rd Lyttelton Scout Patrol) decided to help them


for our Mandela Day project. On the 18th July we pitched in and managed to pack

1142 bags in about 67 minutes on Mandela Day. After working we all shared some

soup, bread and cheese and enjoyed the great fellowship.

A few weeks later we again got together in the workshop for another work party to

further assist them in packing bags as they completed the task. This was followed by

a fellowship bring and braai at the Home.


PHILENA SCHOOL LIBRARY COMPLETION

Our project to provide Philena Primary School in Olivenhoutbosch with a

containerised library is finally coming to fruition. The containerised library was

delivered to the school at the end of September. PPs Bob Sinaert and Louis Greeff

then spent many hours putting up the shelving.

The official opening of the library is planned for 27 January 2013.

TSHWANE LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION (TLF) AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF CENTURION

Then PE Clara Keil managed to secure a grant for Tshwane Leadership Foundation

through the Dischem Group in the amount of R144 000.00. R12 000 per month will

be paid out monthly to two medical personnel working at Rivoningo (R6 000.00 each

from June 2012 to May 2013).

Tshwane Leadership Foundation came into financial difficulty due to the fact that

Lotto money was not paid out. Well done Clara, you are a life saver!

This serves to confirm that Rotary Centurion has made significant contributions to

specific programmes of Tshwane Leadership Foundation throughout the years. The

partnership is longstanding and still continues to benefit the work in the programmes

tremendously.

Rotary is specifically involved with Rivoningo Care centre, a 20-bed hospice for

terminally ill patients without family support. Members of the club visit the centre

regularly to see what is needed, and the club undertakes special projects to put

necessary support structures in place. One example is the recent refurbishment of

the laundry, in order to improve the hygienic delivery of clean linen to patients. A new

community was established next to Rivoningo care centre last year, called Gilead

community, which caters for people living with mental illness. Rotary has been

involved from the start and continues to look for ways to offer the right kind of

support needed in both these programmes

In November 2012 the Centurion Rotary Club hosted a fund raising tea for

Rivoningo/Gilead. This event was held in the hall of St Martins Church in Irene –


thank you for providing this venue. An amount of R20 000 was raised at the event.

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIPS

At the November Rivoningo/Gilead Fundraiser event, a Paul Harris Fellowship was

presented to Stephan de Beer of Tshwane Leadership Foundation by PDG Doug

Thistlewhite. Stephan was also the guest speaker at the event.

A Paul Harris fellowship was also presented to Vera van Dalen of Children’s Cancer,

Nicus Lodge, by PP Louis Greeff at a club meeting in November.


About the Paul Harris Fellowship

Individual Rotary clubs may from time to time honour individuals as Paul Harris

Fellows. Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person

whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary

Foundation and who meets high professional and personal standards.

In recognising that person as a Paul Harris Fellow, the Rotary Club contributes

US$1000 to the Rotary Foundation in that person’s name.

The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world

understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support

of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary

contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a

better world.

The presentation of Paul Harris Fellow recognition is the Rotary Foundation’s way of

expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and

educational programs. It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer

who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905. A Paul

Harris Fellow recognises an individual who contributes US$1000 to The Rotary

Foundation or has that amount contributed in his or her name. When $US1000 is

contributed to The Rotary Foundation, a request can be made for an individual to be

recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow; that person can be a Rotarian or a member of

the community who is not a Rotarian.

MORE ABOUT RIVONINGO AND GILEAD

Rivoningo Care Centre, which opened in April 2005, is a

home for terminally ill homeless people with 20 beds of

which currently 14 are occupied. It has a staff of 16

made up of nurses, care givers, admin clerk, handyman,

social worker, kitchen assistant, cleaners, security and

coordinator. Rivoningo has had more than 200 people

passing through the centre. Many have improved their

health due to the provision of regular food and

medication, while others have died with dignity.

Before and after


Gilead Mental Health Unit is a move-on facility with space for 26 people with mental

illness and started in 2011. Currently there are 16 patients and 6 staff. Some of the

patients have been able to obtain work and contribute to the costs of running the

facility. Their main goal is to assist people with mental illness in learning to live

independently, and acquiring the ability to manage their own lives towards re-

integration into society.

Both these centres are run by the Tshwane Leadership Foundation, created by the

Pretoria Community Ministries in 2003. Their website can tell you more about the

organisation - http://www.tlf.org.za or, if you wish, we can also forward you more

information.

A Rotary club embraces members that are committed to service above self and its

membership reflects its community with regard to professional and business

classification, gender, age, religion, and ethnicity. The Rotary Club of Centurion

supports projects that assist the community irrespective of whether they are faith

based or not.

One of our members, Mr Doug Thistlewhite has brought to our attention that these

two centres are currently facing a crisis of funding due to having been promised R3

million in lotto money which has not materialised. As a result the patients are

experiencing a severe shortage of food and the staff is not being paid regularly.

The Rotary Club of Centurion has sourced funds for this project from overseas

over the last 5 years amounting to approximately 2 million Rand. In addition we

applied for and obtained a grant of R144000 from the Dischem Foundation to

pay for the salaries of two social workers.

On the 10th November 2012 a fundraiser was held in which we raised a further

R20000 for this worthy cause.

The project is still in dire need of funds in order to continue its good work. We appeal

to other Rotary clubs to come to the aid of Rivoningo, that it may be able to continue

assisting the homeless of Pretoria

Contacts:

Project Leader – Doug Thistlewhite - [email protected] – 082 372 6800

President – Clara Keil – [email protected] – 082 557 5790

http://www.tlf.org.za/

mailto:[email protected]



PROPOSED PEACE CONFERENCE

“PEACE THROUGH SERVICE”

In line with the Rotary International (RI)

President’s request we are planning to hold

a Peace Conference with High School

Students from Centurion between the ages

of 13 and 19 years old. This would include

Private Schools and Government Schools.

Cornwall Hill College has shown interest in hosting this conference. All High Schools

in the Centurion area will be invited to send representatives. It is envisaged that each

school will send one participant per discussion group. It is hoped that between 5 and

20 schools would participate, so each discussion group would consist of between 5-

20 students.

It is envisaged that the conference will take place over two days on the weekend of

1-2 March 2013 and a club committee has been formed to plan this event further.

TOMS SHOES

Through the facilitation of Sešego Cares and the generosity of TOMS shoes in the

USA, we ordered and have received a donation of 1500 new pairs of TOMS shoes.

These shoes will soon be distributed by the Rotary Club of Centurion to needy

children, primarily at the Philena School in Olievenhoutbosch.


CLUB SERVICE

NEW MEMBERS

We welcomed four new members in the 6 months from July to December 2012.

Jonathan Greengrass and Neil Patrick were inducted at our 5th Thursday Fellowship

Evening in August. Both Neil and Jonathan bring with them the experience of their

previous involvement in Round Table.

In October we welcomed Leon and Felicity Jones into the Centurion Rotary family.

Leon and Felicity were previously Rotarians in Durban before travelling and working

internationally.

Welcome again to all of you – we look forward to a long and happy association with

you at the Rotary Club of Centurion.


INTER CLUB FELLOWSHIP & MINUTE TO WIN IT

In spite of the weather not being perfect, our joint fellowship on 2 December at

Groenkloof, together with Rotary Sunrise, was a great success.

Many thanks to Meg for organising such a great venue and to Jessica for all the work

she put into minute to win it. The level of excitement and competition was amazing -

we all laughed and had a lot of fun! We also found out that it is rather difficult to pick

up a smartie with a straw and to move an egg with air.

Many thanks also to Sheila for joining our team and playing so well. In spite of it we

came last. But we played well and we showed good sportsmanship. Better luck next

time

CLUB RAIDS AND VISITS

On 27 September we enjoyed a joint fellowship meeting with the Rotary club of

Kyalami, where we were pleased to welcome DG Martin Forsyth-Thompson and DG

Ann Christina and to host them for a finger supper. DG Martin also inducted our new

members Leon and Felicity Jones.

RECENT GUEST SPEAKERS

6 September: Wendy Barrett – Head of Social Responsibility at Cornwall Hill College

22 November: Marlize Van Wyk – “Change your Story – Change Your Life”


Club President: Clara Keil – [email protected]

Club Treasurer: Louis Greeff - [email protected]

Club Secretary: Pamla Gopaul - [email protected]

Editor: Ian McKechnie / Jonathan Greengrass

Club Meeting: Every Thursday evening at 19h00

Venue: Irene Homes, 2 Albert Street, Irene

Tel : 082 557 5790

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Remember to invite your friends and colleagues for a fun and interesting evening at the

Rotary Club of Centurion!!!




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ROTARY CENTURION FOOTPRINTS · 2013. 5. 9. · ROTARY CENTURION FOOTPRINTS July - December 2012 The...

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