Our support of KIVA

When we established our online Rotary E-Club Serving Humanity with members from different locations and backgrounds we thought it would benefit our members to build a relationship together assisting less fortunate people in countries other than where we live and work.

One of the Rotary avenues of service is International Service and KIVA allows us to contribute to small projects and entrepreneurs in many countries.

What is KIVA?

More than 1.7 billion people around the world do not have access to banks and cannot access the financial services they need. Kiva is an international non-profit organisation, founded in 2005 in San Francisco, with a mission to expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive.

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PIMD feeds the children in Sri Lanka

In June-July 2022 the Sri Lanka English Literacy project changed gears in response to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. The project provided funds to 15 schools to cover the cost of providing a nutritious meal per day for every student for a month. Teachers told us that students were coming to school hungry and in some cases starving. Because the funds went directly to schools and then into local communities, the cost was one-third of much larger donor-led programs channelled from overseas and through Colombo. Thank you to our supporters who donated to this appeal. 

Sharing new skills

Orkeeswa School in rural Tanzania encourages students to be curious, to learn new skills and to share new skills with others.

Form 4 (year 10) students Naini and Nang’idai learned how to play the trumpet from one of their teachers, then shared their skills with other students and members of their community church. When their teacher left, Naini and Nang’idai took over the running of the school trumpet club. They taught pre-form one students, and helped them to improve their English at the same time. Naini and Nang’idai are developing skills in leadership and teaching through running the club. Naini said that through teaching music, she has connected with many students and improved her relationships with them. Nang’idai has helped her church group to write a Maasai song using the skills she has passed on.

See more youth-produced and inspired stories at Orkeeswa Story Lab

Save the Kula Babies goes island hopping!

Watch this fantastic video of a recent expedition of the team on a 6 week medical outreach trip around the PNG islands delivering much needed medical supplies and equipment. Our own Wendy Stein will soon be heading to Port Moresby and Alotau to restock their vessel – Kula Spirit – in readiness to expand their much needed services. Wendy urges all Rotarians conducting projects to partner with others, so maximum benefit is given to the recipients and to save huge amounts of donated funds.

Healthy families build healthy nations.

Second research study for youth needs

Two jupiter ambassadors

Caring for Our Port Stephens Youth (COPSY Inc.) is seeking expressions of interest for an updated study of the mental health needs of youth in Port Stephens. This is a Rotary project (RABS 12-2021-22) which has been going three years.

We are looking not only for input on the terms of reference for such a study but also for organisations that would be interested in conducting the study.

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DG 2022-23, Geraldine Rurenga

Rotary E‐Club of Brindabella

Geraldine joined Rotary in 2013 after completing an undergraduate degree in teaching and moving to Wagga Wagga. Since then, Geraldine has held a range of Rotary club and district executive board positions, including club president in 2016‐17 and 9705 district trainer 2017‐19. In addition, she has been involved with several other non‐profit organisations, including being a member of the management committee of the Wagga Women’s Health Centre in 2018 and 19. She has led a number of community events and fundraisers for local organisations.

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