The Rotary Club of Stourbridge
International Committee
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The Rotary Club of Stourbridge International Committee
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LINKS
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Chairman David Hickman 01384 274014 Secretary Mike Rock 01384 483400
The International Service Committee works with local communities overseas. In order to bring this about, international charities are supported. Additionally, help is given to individuals who approach Stourbridge Rotary Club for assistance in funding their overseas enterprises. The International Committee usually meets six times per year. It has good support with between eight and ten Rotarians in attendance. The meetings have two main strands; discussion of projects that need support, and methods of raising finance in order that the club can offer that support. During the first half of the Rotary year 2007/8 the club heard excellent talks on two projects in Africa; they have both received financial support. The first was the international charity ‘Send A Cow’. Funds were given towards the Rotary project to provide dairy cows in the Rukwa region of Tanzania. The money allowed an impoverished family to receive a cow in calf. The second gift was also to give help in Tanzania. The project is ‘Rotarians Eliminating Malaria in Tanzania’ (REMIT) Mosquitoes are most voracious at night. Protection can be provided, and lives saved, by hanging nets over beds. REMIT will purchase nets with the Stourbridge donation. It is also hoped to give help to other projects later in the Rotary year. The Buwundo Women’s Sewing Centre in Uganda has received one donation from Stourbridge, but could still make good use of extra sewing machines etc. ‘Mercy Ships’ uses hospital ships to deliver medical help to poor countries. The club collects unwanted items that can be of use to charities. Thus old spectacles are forwarded to ‘Vision Aid Overseas’. Redundant mobile phones raise £3.50 each for ‘Water Aid’. In 2008 it is intended to organise an event to gather together old tools. These will be of use to the ‘Tools for Self Reliance’ charity. As mentioned above, as well as deciding which good causes to support, the International Committee also raises some of the money that is given. Thus, in the autumn, a Cheese and Wine evening took place. This raised over £700. During 2008 it is hoped to arrange a wine tasting event at a local supermarket and also an evening of Black Country films.
David Hickman; December 2007
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