Prenter School Vanuatu

In May 2014, a party of twelve (Rotarians, their partners and volunteers) took part in a project to assist the kindergarten children of Prenter School, Vanuatu.  This project involved installation of louvre windows in two classrooms – previously there were just openings which led to class disruption every time it rained .

Having made the rooms watertight, the project team proceeded to paint the classrooms.  After this, they painted murals and an Alphabet on the walls of the classrooms.

Glaziers, Renovators, Painters and Decorators aka Rotarians, Partners and Volunteers

Classroom 1 Finished - Fantastic

Another view of Classroom1

Classroom2 Finished - also Fantastic

Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Pam

In March 2015 Tropical Cyclone Pam was one of the worst disasters to ever hit the Pacific region. Packing winds of up to 250 kilometres per hour, the category-five system caused widespread devastation in Vanuatu's leaving 75,000 people in need of emergency shelter, and 96 per cent of food crops were destroyed.

Our club has long standing ties with Vanuatu and through Miriam Jacka the club donated $2,500 towards cost of a container loaded with all sorts of aids material.

​International Service - Note from Tony

1.  As announced at the last meeting, after trying to identify an alternative location for a volunteer event, the committee has decided that the only realistic opportunity is to go to Vanuatu again.
2.  We were not avoiding Vanuatu because of any lack of need; it is just that a few of us have been to Vanuatu before (some more than once).
3. The project in Vanuatu is to put a roof on a school block in the hills above Hogg Harbour, Espiritu Santo.  Another team have recently returned and are expected to have completed the blockwork structure.
4. There are great advantages in working in Vanuatu:
5.   We have been before and know what we are in for.
6.   Vanuatu is safe.
7.    The accommodation is good by the standards of impoverished nations (if they weren’t impoverished we wouldn’t be going).  The cold water is not really cold and the food is good.
8.   The materials will be organised for us.  We just need to contribute to the cost.
9.   There are two hardware stores within reach for anything we don’t have at the site.
10.    The resort is in a perfect location within a stone’s throw of the sea and right next to Champagne Bay which is where many luxury liners stop to enjoy the beach.
11.   We work to about 4.00pm then relax and enjoy the sea and a long Happy Hour before dinner.
12.   They fly big planes into Espiritu Santo (for the benefit of Mr Coote).
13.    Cost is minimal – likely to be about $2,000 which can be reduced by tax deductions under special circumstances (please see me if you want to know more about this).
14.   I am waiting for photos and a report on the project from the returning team so that I can give the club more detail.
15.   The critical issue is that we need to know that we have enough people to make this work.  This has been a problem in the past and has been terminal in two previous attempts to organise a trip.  Also two of the likely team have already indicated that they are not available in May next year which is the preferred time.
16. Please email, text or phone me to log your enthusiasm.  The people of Vanuatu need us and you need to do a bit of Service above Self.  It is guaranteed to be memorable.

Tony Makin

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Shelterbox - Earthquake in Nepal

We sponsored two Shelter-boxes each costing $1,000 including delivery providing emergency shelter and vital supplies to support the local community overwhelmed by disaster and humanitarian crisis.

Each box bears its own unique number so a donor can track their box all the way to its recipient country via the website. Highly trained Shelter-box Response Teams distribute boxes on the ground, working closely with local organisations, international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldwide.                                          

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Box Number              Destination          Donation Date
                     3221               Chengdu, China          23 May 2008
3970            Mbabane, Swaziland      24 Jun 2008
3971             Mbabane, Swaziland      24 Jun 2008
9314                            Japan                  23 Sep 2010
9502                        Colombia               01 Oct 2010
9530                        Colombia               01 Oct 2010
12483                          Nepal                   12 Dec 2013
14950                  To be deployed         21 Jun 2016
14955                  To be deployed         21 Jun 2016
Note: 3221 is Bob Davison, Rest RCWPHC

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Donations in Kind

This is a Rotary scheme to package unwanted hospital equipment, clothes, wheelchairs and other essentials and to send this material in containers to under-developed countries.  The Club takes part in packaging sessions throughout the year .

 

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​On 7th April, bristling with muscles and enthusiasm, a band of our members joined members of a Penrith club at Donations in Kind.

We were there to fill a container with the usual DIK stuff – beds, mattresses, wheelchairs etc.  We soon found out  that we were to stuff a 40 foot container with hospital beds.  We also filled any spaces with boxes of bandages, blankets (lots) and other hospital supplies.

We put 50 hospital beds into the container.  Anyone who has been to DIK would know that the beds are so heavy they feel like they are bolted down.  However, we soon got into a system and, by the time we passed the 40th bed, we could throw them around with no difficulty.

Here is an action-packed photo of the (full) container, ready for pickup.
 
A big effort from the team of John, Larissa, Jaswant, Douglas, Anne Sharpe, Pamela, Chloe Inglis and me plus Paul Laroumanie who was drenched with sweat and then set off to assist at the Barbeque.
 
Thanks team – a job very well done.
​Tony M​

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Operation Food for Life

Toys for kids in Port Moresby, PNG

They provide physical, emotional and spiritual support, bringing dignity and hope to the poor, the forgotten and the disadvantaged. They undertake various programs such as feeding and clothing 500+ people living on rubbish dump on the outskirts of Ports Moresby. In PNG they feed patients dying of HIV/Aids or TB in hospitals, feeding prisoners in jail, assisting various local institutions for physically and mentally challenged providing them with mobility and by providing a school food and learning resources and a Care Centre for up to 35 disadvantaged children.

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From: Dennis Perry [mailto:denmarj@bigpond.net.au]
Sent: Sunday, 19 June 2016 1:50 PM
To: robert.m.davison@gmail.com
Subject: Note of Sincere Appreciation

​Dear Robert  I am writing a personal note to request that you please express our charities sincere and grateful appreciation to the officers and members of the Rotary Club of West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook for the kind donation of $1000 to help our humanitarian work in Papua New Guinea.
Our current project is building a sanctuary to provide a safe, secure 24/7 accommodation for abused, poor, neglected, children, youth and teens in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Work with them to repair their broken hearts, restore their dignity and give them hope and confidence in moving forward.
Amongst our many programs and projects, for over 3 years we have been caring for over 30 children in a less than satisfactory environment.
More photos are on our web site. www.offl.org.au
We have extended a house in Port Moresby to provide a more welcoming facility.  Now with your donation we can continue to complete the facility.
I have attached some before and after photos of the current project.(New photos at top.)
You will note children living in cramped conditions.  Some in tents and some wherever there was space.
The new facility is life changing. 
We will never turn a child at risk away.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, once again for your kindness and compassion.
With Kindest Regards and Personal
Best Wishes
Dennis  Dennis Perry - President/Chief Servant - Operation Food for Life - Cherrybrook.   
Didi Foundation Update