WBR International Committee Agenda Monday, October 7, 2019
Old Business; Review expenditures made to date;
$425 to complete pledge to Hands Across the Sea library in Dominica
$1250 to QMC, not yet sent
$1000 for Bahamas relief, matched by WBR Charitable foundation
$2675 spent so far
$2325 remaining
Please forgive the mix up and date change. Four of us, myself, Noel, Laura and Mimi did meet this morning and discussed the agenda which follows. Since we were so few we didn't take any binding votes. However, the only item which is time sensitive is my request for $500 to continue our support for the water project in the Yucatan. If you would reply with your vote up or down on that item I will request a check from Kristen prior to my trip down at the end of this month. Otherwise the other agenda items can be carried over to next month's meeting. I will be away until November 9 so will plan a meeting for the last Monday in November to get us back on track.
Thank you! Susan
New Business Possible projects to support
Yucatan water; The Valladoild club has hired a plumber to be responsible for any issues that arise. The Dzitnup fountain had persistent problems which were finally traced to the pump that draws water to the school and Rotary paid for the repair/replacement of that pump so now the fountain and the rest of the water in the school work properly. Susan is making a personal donation to the project and is requesting a contribution from the committee of $500. The club is planning more installations and the ongoing maintenance is an expense.
Razia’s Ray of Hope; Razia spoke to our club. She is a long time Rotarian and has created a school for girls in the mountains of Afghanistan. We contributed $500 to the general fund. See the letter circulating. Suggested contribution, $250
Baobab House; Mimi spoke to us again regarding this project which is small but steady serving AIDS orphans and 150 day students in Bagamoyo Tanzania. Mimi is going to explore the possibility of some outside contributions and will keep this project on the table for us to consider for a contribution.
Other projects?
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International Committee
August 26, 2019
In attendance: Heidi Karod, Etienne Perrot, Mimi Edmunds, Laura Edmunds, Noel Cox, Mike Moore, Debbi Hitchings, Susan Dorr
Tanzania Water Project: Mike still waiting for approval of the Global Grant from the Tanzania club. It’s been over 2 months
Asylum seekers in Maine: A group of local people have been exploring if there is a place Camden area to be involved. Kit Harrison is organizing and looking into what this community’s appropriate response might be.
Noel gave background on the Congregational Church’s involvement. They took two car loads of clothing to Portland which was put into a large storage facility. Important to remember how well intentioned goals may not ultimately be useful.
- Can we get Kit Harrison or someone to talk with us about what is happening?
- We will watch what is happening both here and in the state (Portland) to see if there is an appropriate niche for us to be involved.
- Can we hear from immigrants who can tell the story of resettling here?
- Is there a way that we can educate the greater community of what is going on with the immigrant issue? Is there someone who has worked with immigrants/asylum seekers?
Camden Conference: We still have $500 in the budget and will look for ways that the children we sponsor “report” back to the club, sharing their experience and impressions.
Baobab Home: Tanzania. Mimi reported on a meeting in Gardiner. Looking to raise $100,000.
Annual budget for school, orphanage and sustainability project is $200,000. Raised $40,000 on the US trip. Mimi looking to contribute to the general budget – toward the $100,000 goal. She will send us out website info, and we will discuss a donation at our next meeting.
Qholaqhoe Mountain Connections: Debbi gave an update of the high school issues with food insecurity and nationwide teacher strikes. The university students are doing well. We will send our $1000 to the college fund for Ntsebo soon.
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International Committee
July 22, 2019
In attendance: Susan, Mimi, Mike Moore, Debbi
2019-2020 budget: $5000
$425 Hands Across the Sea
$1250 Qholaqhoe Mountain Connections
$500 Yucatan Water Fountain Project
$2175 committed to date
Susan will request the remaining check for $425 for Hands Across Sea to complete our commitment to our classroom there.
Water System Tanzania
Mike gave up an update on the Global Grant which will quadruple the storage tank and expand system out three or four miles and three more villages. 7 more taps.
$85,000 Global Grant. Organized once again through the Naples Club by Mike.
We have $2000 in the Foundation waiting to send to the grant as soon as we get the go-ahead.
Mike updated us on a Naples Club’s efforts to bring clean water to Haiti. He will see how it develops.
Bagamoyo, Tanzania: Mimi
The Baobab Home. A home for orphans, primary school, HIV outreach program, a sustainability project (well, solar, fish ponds)
Started by a couple with no government money.
No Rotary support at this time.
Trying to raise $100,000. Budget is $200,000 year. Founders on a fund-raising tour in the states now. They will be in Gardiner speaking on August 6.
We will explore further, getting a better sense of the stability of the organization, is there a local Rotary connection, its fundraising focus, etc.
Family Care Hostel, hospital based Arusha, Tanzania
Mike Moore
Cancer Care in Tanzania, US non-profit spearheading the effort.
$190,000
It is like a a Ronald McDonald House.
Go Fund Me site set up for a redesigned program, moving away from the containers.
Susan would like to see what Rotary is doing on our border. How might we address basic needs for those who are coming across? Important to fully assess what kind of Rotary involvement is already in place or planned.