Mark Balla told us about his journey in Rotary, building toilets in India. He is proud to be known as Mr Toilet or the Toilet Man. His main role in life now is to enable women in India ( and other countries) to be able to live a life in which they are able to live healthy, prosperous and fulfilling lives. This begins with the most basic of needs - adequate sanitation.
With the "We Can't Wait" foundation which Mark established, he has and continues to improve the lives of young girls and women in India. He seeks partnerships with like minds, and those who wish to add value to schools and slums, in order to enable women to live in safety and in a healthy environment. He produced specifics during his presentation - he saw schools where there were many boys, but very few adolescent girls. In 2015, 55 percent of schools had functioning toilets. By 2017, through the work of the Indian government and the Foundation this had increased significantly but the actual number of toilets in many schools is very limited (sometimes one toilet for 600 pupils). Toilets need to be maintained and cleaned. As Mark stated, "just because people are poor, they do not need to put up with it".
With the assistance of Rotary grants and funds from other partners the Foundation has extended its work to other parts of the world including East Timor. The Foundation is estimated to have reached 30000 children in four and a half 2 years.
Girls , with the opportunity to have toilets, able to continuously attend school, marry later in life and consequently, participate in the workforce. In short, sanitation takes people away from the path to abject poverty. Mark's enthusiasm is infectious and his solid contribution to the well-being of girls and women in India is substantial. He continues to work assiduously to meet his goals.
Below, for the information of members and friends of the Club, is a copy of an update report provided by Ted Waghorne to District 9800 officers on the Club's drought relief project activities.
Can I provide a short update on Drought Relief Activities being carried out by the Rotary Club of Canterbury and Mitchell River in East Gippsland, to you and your committee.
Our two clubs are working together really well. We are working with the Bairnsdale Neighborhood House who have really close connections to the farming community and who provide cheap meals for the needy by collecting food donations from Woolies and Aldi etc.
We are running 2 projects.
The first project involves a respite opportunity in Melbourne particularly with families who would benefit from a few days away from their farm and give their children the opportunity to visit the zoo, aquarium or perhaps go to a footy match.
This activity is subject of the first grant from District 9800, is low cost and has been well received. There have been limited applications for this project so far, due we believe to the lack of train services to Bairnsdale, and families find the drive pretty daunting.
However we have hosted 3 families for respite and have a further 3 families seeking time away from their farms whist the effects of the drought in East Gippsland drags on (small rainfalls recently have given everyone some hope). The families who have come have really appreciated the welcome we have been able to provide, and have indicated that they have really appreciated the break.
The second project (subject of the second District 9800 grant), involves providing money to farmers to carry out urgent works and whose farms are really in stress due to the lack of rainfall. Applications are vetted before approval. At this stage funds have been provided to 3 farms primarily for urgent hay, fodder and fencing. A 4th farm is currently being funded. Applications from a further 5 farms are being considered.
Monies approved exceed $15,000, and a further $15,000 to $20,000 of farm projects are awaiting quotes.
What is really sad is that a number of the farmers that we are reaching out to have suffered the loss of their partners in recent times from suicide, illness and accident. This is obviously greatly exacerbating their drought situation.
We have booked Hooking Chinese Restaurant, 627 High Street, Kew East, for our next Restaurant Evening, exclusively for members, partners and friends.
HOOKING is well known to Canterbury Rotarians, especially the Canterbury Rotary’s Luncheon Group, and to some members who dine there regularly with family and friends. The food is delicious, our hosts are friendly and attentive, and all who know the place rate it as one of their favourites.
Cost is $40 per head for the Banquet
Dessert or Cofffee/Tea included
BYO wine (not beer).
Cash payment/booking can be made at Monday meetings
Trinitas Thai isn’t a typical Thai restaurant, it prides itself on traditional, contemporary and fusion Thai dishes that are authentic and diverse. The restaurant has an air of sophistication with mood lighting, jazz music playing softly and simple photos on the wall of the ingredients. The Trinitas Thai Restaurant is fully licensed or you can BYO wine.
Also this lunch is on a Thursday rather than the usual Wednesday - so please come along if Thursday is better for you.
The Canterbury Rotary Club lunch usually meets bi-weeky for a meal and some fun.
David Zrna looks after the reservations for the lunch group. Please contact David at david.zrna@canterburyrotary.org or on 0467033092 to advise that you will be coming to a lunch.
Natasha Facci and Anne Josefsberg have been organising the participation of two students from Emmaus College whom the Rotary Club of Canterbury will sponsor at the forthcoming event to be held at Swinburne.
This international youth program simulates the workings of the United Nations Assembly by having two senior students from a number of schools represent a particular UN country. The students debate on matters of world political and social concern. The assembly is about building bridges of goodwill for world peace and understanding through a personal involvement in the acceptance of situations that reflect the opinion of ‘adopted’ countries which may be completely contrary to their own views.
Students are challenged by the opportunities of extended research, debating and public speaking skills by addressing a wide range of contemporary and world-focussed issues. The program extends over a weekend and it is chaired and judged by Rotarians.
District 9800 MUNA will be held at Swinburne University on the weekend 27th and 26th of April. All Rotarians and guests are encouraged to drop in, even for half an hour to witness the amazing and talented student selected for this event. Please refer to the flier below for more details.
SPECIALIZING IN ALL MUSCULO SKELETAL NEEDS INCLUDING SMALL SUPERVISED CLINICAL GROUPS
Visit our website surreyhillsphysio.com.au for more details of the treatment and services offered.
1/109 Union Rd, Surrey Hills VIC, 3127. We are located just south of the Surrey Hills railway station, with parking available in Peppercorn Lane, Union Road or Windsor Crescent.