It is hard to believe that in just a few short days, those of us from the USA and Canada will be traveling toward Newark, New Jersey, where most of us will meet for the very first time at the waiting area near the Continental Airlines ticket counter. Some will have checked bags all the way through from their original points of departure to Delhi, while the majority of us will be checking our luggage through from Newark.
When we meet, we will each get a name tag from Past District Governor Kelly Wike, a team member, who volunteered to make them for us. We will then each get our official shirt and then try to spread out the remaining shirts we will take with us to our counterparts in India, so that nobody will be over the limit for weight of checked bags. Each of us already has bulging suitcases and duffel bags - filled with toys and goodies, educational gifts, bottles of bubbles, Frisbees, pens, pencils, coloring books, and the list goes on and on. How will we EVER cram all of this stuff into the alloted space?
We will then check in and board the aircraft which will be our home for about 17 hours - nearly 15 of which will be in the air! Although we are seated scattered throughout the plane, I am confident that the other passengers on board will know our ROTARY DREAM TEAM - INDIA 2008, within a few hours of our departure!
A few acknowledgments: First - to all those individuals, Clubs and Districts who have contributed funds toward our project, our heartfelt thanks. We have raised well over $50,000 to fund the creation of the ROTARY VOCATIONAL AND COMPUTER TRAINING CENTRE OF CHAHALKA, as well as the ROTARY DAY-CARE CENTRE OF CHAHALKA. (don't try to find it on a map - the closest area nearby is Sohna). Second: to Marge Barker and TD BankNorth of Portland, Maine, thank you for the most generous contribution which paid for our official shirts - they are fantastic and each of us will not only wear them with pride while working on the National Immunization Day against polio in India, but also will cherish the shirt as a reminder for years to come of the wonderful experience we have shared. Third: to Bruce Lamb and Springvale (Maine) Hardware - as in years past, has contributed fifty pair of work gloves for our team to wear to protect our hands from the cuts caused by sand, rocks, and the burning from the toxic concrete mix and the paints we will be using. Fourth: to Ghisaline Berube of Casco Bay Gardens of South Portland, Maine who donated over fifty tubes of LOBSTERMAN'S BALM, which each team member will use and enjoy to take care of chapped and cracked hands. Fifth: to Ray Richardson and Ted Talbott of FOX NEWS 23 - the local affiliate in Portland, Maine for inviting me to join them a few days ago on their morning news show, to share with their viewers and listeners information about our trip. Sixth: to our family, friends, Clubs and Districts - thank you for your support. Each of us has paid for his or her own way on this trip. Each of us will be leaving family for two weeks. Each of us will be absent from work or school for two weeks. We could not do this without the help and support of others.
Finally, to Rotary International for being the most wonderful service organization in the entire world. We have no political or religious agenda. We have one purpose, only, and that is SERVICE TO OTHERS. Thanks to Rotary, millions and millions of children have been immunized against polio throughout the world, and the campaign continues until polio is eradicated from the face of the earth. From Bill and Melinda Gates with their gift of $100 million to the poorest of the poor who can neither read nor write - all have one thing in common and that is the TRUST OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL to do what is right and to bring about greater understanding among the peoples of the world, one step at a time, so that we will have an impact, we will make a positive difference, and we WILL ACHIEVE WORLD PEACE.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Television Interview
This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting Ray Richardson and Ted Talbott of the local FOX NEWS affiliate in Portland, Maine, and to share with them and their viewers and listeners some of what we will all be doing once we reach India on February 7th.
If you are interested in viewing the interview, click on this link:
http://www.myfoxmaine.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=5628438
We will be adding more to our BLOG on a regular basis, but suffice it to say that at present, we are all at our respective homes, packing clothes, but mostly goodies to take to the childlren in India to encourage them to get immunized on February 10th at the National Immunization Day and then to help encourage the children of the village of Chahalka to attend school and to remain in school, in order to make a better life for themselves and their families. To say that we are "cranked" about our upcoming journey to the unknown, where we will SHARE ROTARY and MAKE DREAMS REAL, would be an understatement.
On this, the 60th anniversary of the assasination of the father of India, Mahatma Gandhi, it is most appropriate that we pause and remember one of his wise pieces of advice:
BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD.
If you are interested in viewing the interview, click on this link:
http://www.myfoxmaine.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=5628438
We will be adding more to our BLOG on a regular basis, but suffice it to say that at present, we are all at our respective homes, packing clothes, but mostly goodies to take to the childlren in India to encourage them to get immunized on February 10th at the National Immunization Day and then to help encourage the children of the village of Chahalka to attend school and to remain in school, in order to make a better life for themselves and their families. To say that we are "cranked" about our upcoming journey to the unknown, where we will SHARE ROTARY and MAKE DREAMS REAL, would be an understatement.
On this, the 60th anniversary of the assasination of the father of India, Mahatma Gandhi, it is most appropriate that we pause and remember one of his wise pieces of advice:
BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Newfoundland Rotarians Donate to the Project
The Fourth Objective of Rotary International is ... "the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service".
All projects of this nature need funding. Since this project was initiated by Elias Thomas III of the Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale, Maine USA, he is coordinating project funds. All teams members are asked to do what they can to secure funds to help out. Those of us from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada decided to let local Rotary Clubs know about our project and if they wished to offer donations, they were encouraged to do so.
While all our clubs have financially supported international projects in the past, to our knowledge, this may be the first time any serving Rotarian from an eastern Newfoundland Rotary Club has physically participated on-site at an International Service Project.
Here are the donations our four Team Members have received - $9,250 in Total:
All projects of this nature need funding. Since this project was initiated by Elias Thomas III of the Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale, Maine USA, he is coordinating project funds. All teams members are asked to do what they can to secure funds to help out. Those of us from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada decided to let local Rotary Clubs know about our project and if they wished to offer donations, they were encouraged to do so.
While all our clubs have financially supported international projects in the past, to our knowledge, this may be the first time any serving Rotarian from an eastern Newfoundland Rotary Club has physically participated on-site at an International Service Project.
Here are the donations our four Team Members have received - $9,250 in Total:
$500 Rotary Club of AVALON NORTHEAST - in 2005 awarded the Rotary Significant Achievment Award for work on a community park
$300 Rotary Club of WATERFORD VALLEY - known for their work on community hiking trails
$200 Rotary Club of CLARENVILLE - celebrating 30 years in 2008 & known for community hiking trails, work with schools and securing funding for a community marina
$500 Rotary Club of GANDER - this club and its community played a significant role for those stranded after 9/11 - known for work on a community park and trail, home of District Governor Fred Ivany 2002-2003
$500 Rotary Club of ST. JOHN'S - Newfoundland's oldest club establish 23 Nov 1921, home of our District Governor Dennis Knight in 2006-2007 - known for many large community projects and its Christmas Hampers
$1,000 Rotary Club of ST. JOHN'S EAST - 2006 District Award for its work, leader in single fundraiser, established the Rotary Read-Along Program
$5,000 Rotary Club of ST. JOHN'S NORTHWEST - home club of two Dream Team members, awarded Rotary's Significant Achievement Award for community Skateboard Park, known for the Rotary Music Festival, annual Food Drive with a local high school, Janeway Childrens Hostel, Community Housing Inc., The Changing Minds Project and initiated several organizations including United Way, Kidney Foundation and Heart & Stroke Foundation
$500 - Dental and Hearing Crafts Ltd, St. John's
$750 - Personal donation from one of the team members.
Suggested Gifts for the Children
Elias and Sanjiv suggested bringing items to India for village children that arouse curiosity and create enthusiasm to learn more and study more. As well, items to encourage the children to participate in the National Immunization Day on February 10, 2008.
NEW IDEAS
I spoke with my Club President, Gail Gosse who visited India through work a couple of years ago. She said "Talc" is highly valued as it is very expensive in India.
Another item that might be a good gift is wind up flashlights and radios (dynamo). No batteries are required.
I also spoke with Murali Prabhakar who is originally from India and has children aged 9 and 12. He suggested any computer software that has a learning component such as Typing Tutor or similar job based software. He also cautioned us to be sure any gifts do not interfere with cultural beliefs. Murali thinks Solar Calculators are a good choice.
NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION DAY
Enough cheap give-aways for general distribution to about 1000 pre-school children. About 20 items for each team member.
DAY CARE
We are trying to contribute to the betterment of the children's Day Care Centre by encouraging pre-school children (under 5) to spend more time there. We need about 50 take home gifts for individual children as well as common learning toys and games that are not too dependent on prior knowledge of English.
The Rotary Club of Delhi-West has 50 stuffed toys they will take to the Day Care. As well, Karen Teichman and Walt Lutz of District 7370 have over 100 stuffed animals.
OLDER CHILDREN
About 500 children 12 years of age and above attend the school adjacent to the computer centre. Common educational toys and games as well as computer games for the learning centre will be useful. Anything that arouses their curiosity and enthusiasm to learn more; study more.
This age group does study Englaish as a subject , at which they do very poorly because they have no exposure to the language other than at school! They are familiar with written English but may not be able to understand spoken English because of the unfamiliar accents etc.
Most important are gifts to encourage children to attend school regularly and to arose curiosity in studies. In addition, gifts for individuals for the top 5 scorers in each class at the school (about 50 items in total). These prizes can be announced while we are there and awarded to the students after their scores come in following the next exams.
The suggest the following types of items:
NEW IDEAS
I spoke with my Club President, Gail Gosse who visited India through work a couple of years ago. She said "Talc" is highly valued as it is very expensive in India.
Another item that might be a good gift is wind up flashlights and radios (dynamo). No batteries are required.
I also spoke with Murali Prabhakar who is originally from India and has children aged 9 and 12. He suggested any computer software that has a learning component such as Typing Tutor or similar job based software. He also cautioned us to be sure any gifts do not interfere with cultural beliefs. Murali thinks Solar Calculators are a good choice.
NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION DAY
Enough cheap give-aways for general distribution to about 1000 pre-school children. About 20 items for each team member.
DAY CARE
We are trying to contribute to the betterment of the children's Day Care Centre by encouraging pre-school children (under 5) to spend more time there. We need about 50 take home gifts for individual children as well as common learning toys and games that are not too dependent on prior knowledge of English.
The Rotary Club of Delhi-West has 50 stuffed toys they will take to the Day Care. As well, Karen Teichman and Walt Lutz of District 7370 have over 100 stuffed animals.
OLDER CHILDREN
About 500 children 12 years of age and above attend the school adjacent to the computer centre. Common educational toys and games as well as computer games for the learning centre will be useful. Anything that arouses their curiosity and enthusiasm to learn more; study more.
This age group does study Englaish as a subject , at which they do very poorly because they have no exposure to the language other than at school! They are familiar with written English but may not be able to understand spoken English because of the unfamiliar accents etc.
Most important are gifts to encourage children to attend school regularly and to arose curiosity in studies. In addition, gifts for individuals for the top 5 scorers in each class at the school (about 50 items in total). These prizes can be announced while we are there and awarded to the students after their scores come in following the next exams.
The suggest the following types of items:
- solar calculators (small) - highly recommended
- educational toys
- educational games
- trinkets like bracelets, rings or earrings
- unusual pencils, pens or erasers
- pins of all sorts are cherished
Obviously we have to carry all these items and our luggage weights are limited to 40 pounds. If each one of us take a few things, we will be able to meet the needs.
Cost of Building Materials for Rotary Vocational & Computer Training Center of Chahalka
The purpose of the Learning Centre is to create an environment where young people from the village and surrounding area can come and learn basic computer skills. It will also house training of the women of the village in sewing and weaving so they can earn great income for their families and allow the children to attend school regularly.
The anticipated cost to refurbish the old buildings for both the Learning Centre and Day Care is about $50,000 USD. We have reached our financial goal. The monies will flow through the Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale to The Rotary Foundation and then to India.
Our Rotarian friends in India will purchase the items needed for the village including:
The anticipated cost to refurbish the old buildings for both the Learning Centre and Day Care is about $50,000 USD. We have reached our financial goal. The monies will flow through the Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale to The Rotary Foundation and then to India.
Our Rotarian friends in India will purchase the items needed for the village including:
- New windows, doors, screening and irong grating for the windows
- Concrete mix
- Lumber
- Paint
- classroom furniture including chairs and bafricating kits for desks
- blackboard and associated materials
- computers
- specific items to repair the rooms and buildings for external repair and painting
- waterproofing the terrace
For the electrical needs:
- 6 light points including light fitting
- 2 fan points including fans
- 15 of the 5 ampere sockets
- 2 of the 15 ampere sockets
- 1 telephone point
- wiring for the ten computers
Specific furniture items:
- Teacher's chair
- 5 computer tables
- 20 chairs for students
- 6 foot by 3 foot cupboard
- 8 foot by 4 foot pinup board
- 4 foot by 3 foot blackboard
Specific equipment includes:
- Generator - silent diesel GenSet 20 KVA for power outages
- 10 computers ( AMD 3600 )
- 10 monitors ( 17 inch )
- one printer
- one UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
We are providing the operational costs for the Learning Centre for one year for:
- $7,895 computer teacher salary
- $3,158 computer assistant salary
- $ 789 each for two security guards to provide 24 hour security of the premises
- $ 789 for a cleaner salary
- $7,684 for diesel for the electric generator approx. 8 hours per day
- $1,055 to cover inflation & USD drop vs Indian Rupee.
$22,160 Total for the Learning Centre
Saturday, January 26, 2008
My Reasons For Coming
Hello, I am the son of a Rotarian, and I am going on the trip to India this February. I have traveled to other countries in the past and that alone is an interest to me. Additionally, being in India for National Immunization Day seems like a good idea. The most important thing I expect out of this trip is the experience that is rewarded. In the future, I will be able to look back on this and remark on how fortunate I am to be part of this great trip.
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