School 4 All

It's me once more, as well as being busy with our Polio Campaign the other project close to my heart is our School 4 All project in Uganda. I have informed you all that we have a unique opportunity to really put our mark as a District on something immensely worth while and life changing for many. We have the opportunity to make that difference to over 2000 children who desperately need our help. As recently as Saturday I received pictures and information from our grants officer Cath Chorley detailing the requirements of our school Budaka FHP in the Pallisa District of Uganda. The current status is as follows Budaka FHP has 2,252 pupils and 26 teachers, like all of the schools Budaka FHP has poor and inadequate classroom blocks and is in a very poor state of repair. Classrooms are overcrowded having around 100-120 pupils per class with children seated on the floor. This has been one of the barriers witnessed to teaching inclusion of disabled children. Some children trek as long as five kilometres to school as a result of lack of transport facilities. Existing ramps are dangerously erected so much so that injury could be caused by them. Teachers have a lack of understanding about disability issues and inclusive education. Excluded children do not receive any support and therefore do not have access to education at all. Shortly our District International Chairman Ken Paterson will be updating you all as to the requirements. My thanks to all of the clubs that have already sent funds to District Treasurer. I would be grateful for all others committed to this project to send monies to Jim.

Polio Eradication

Just to refute any allegations of me having flown the country, no such luck I am still here and still busy. One area that requires my devoted attention is the coordination of this Districts commitment to the Gates Foundation $100,000000 Polio Challenge. I along with Stephen Chorley your Foundation Chairman are committed to ensuring that the clubs in this District play their part in ridding the world of this terrible disease. Those of you who attended our District Conference will know how I feel about this scourge that still exists. In any case the bottom line is we are committed to doing our level best to finish the job we began in 1983 and is now almost completed. Fellow Rotarian's I have given RI our commitment to provide $10,000 per year over the next three years to finish the job. Shortly you will see a Polio Goal chart appear on our website which will show where we are and where we need to be by the end of June. I am counting on you all to help me, these little children in India. Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan are counting on you, please don't let them down get your pledges and donations in to District Treasurer Jim as soon as you can. Lets MAKE DREAMS REAL and allow the children of the world to have a life.

Rotary Club of Dundee Camperdown (Visit No 86)

Tuesday the 6th January saw me perform my final club visit to Rotary Club of Dundee Camperdown in the Invercarse Hotel Dundee. I was once again made very welcome by President Ron MacWalter and the members. Having recently had the pleasure of opening the clubs International Day it was indeed nice to be back with them. The Rotary Club of Dundee Discovery had a good turn out of members on a club visitation, they were my first club visit and here they were at my last one, gluttons for punishment possibly. After a very nice meal my address was well received and prompted a few questions. The club are certainly very busy at present doing many worthwhile projects within their local community and further afield. Shelter Box is a project that the club support enormously well with most of the funds raised at their International Day going to them.

(The picture shows yours truly and President Ron MacWalter)

My Big Surprise

On Tuesday 16th December Rita and I had the great pleasure of attending my own clubs Christmas Party which was only my second visit to the club since taking over as District Governor. It was indeed a very special evening as we were honouring a local lady Margaret Sutherland with our annual Citizen of the Year Award. Margaret runs the local shop in the village of Dunshalt and for many years now she has been a stalwart in community service within the village, a well deserved award. However the evening turned out to be very special for me too as I was honoured by the club with a Paul Harris Fellowship. It is seldom that I am lost for words but this was indeed the exception. I have to say that I was overwhelmed and very emotional at being honoured in such a way. I am extremely proud and humbled to be District Governor of District 1010 with my year in office at the halfway mark, this honour has made 2008 a very special year for both Rita and me. To president Graeme and my fellow members of the Howe of Fife my heartfelt thanks to you all for this wonderful surprise.

(The picture shows Margaret Sutherland, President Graeme Bain, yours truly and Rita)

Picture courtesy David Scott of Link Media

Rotary Club of West Fife (Visit No 85)

Tuesday evening took me out to Crossford to the Pitfirrane Arms Hotel home of the Rotary Club of West Fife. It was indeed great to visit the club once again and to meet many old friends. My address was preceded by a cheque presentation to a representative from CHAS in Kinross for £2000 raised earlier in the year from the clubs annual AM AM Golf Competition. I was given a surprise gift from PP Ian Boreland of the official tie and badge from the Canada Curling Tour, thank you Ian. Once again the members are very active both locally and internationally with their regular donations to local organizations such as CHAS and international projects such as Nyambani Village Project when they raised enough money to provide a house within the village. A superb club with committed Rotarian's constantly serving others. I will certainly enjoy working with the club during this Rotary year. Thank you all for a great evening. My thanks to Douglas Scott for providing the picture.

(The picture shows yours truly and President Neil Spriddle)

Howe of Fife Conference Team Get Together

It was a very special day for Rita and I on Sunday as we were able to personally thank the members of my own Rotary Club for their amazing contribution to making our 58th District Conference the great success that it was. We were privileged to have Andrew and Aileen Kennedy allowing us to meet in their lovely home, not only that but provide us with a delicious meal as well, my sincere thanks to you both. The team worked tirelessly over a period of nearly two years to ensure that all went well when the time came. Thank you all for making my year in office an unforgettable experience. Of course we did have the guidance of our District Conference Chairman Stewart Wilson without who's help we would never have managed. Rita and I are very lucky to have had your support, once again thank you all.

(Yours truly with Aileen and Andrew, President Graeme Bain and Ann & Peta Rennie)

Rotary Club of Dundee Camperdown International Day

Saturday saw Rita and I head for Invergowrie to officially open the Rotary Club of Dundee Camperdown's International Day. The day began with a Coffee Morning in the church hall which attracted a full house of Rotarian's and local participants. On arrival we were met by Rev Robert Ramsay and non other than a great friend Rotarian Ron McCabe. President Ron MacWalter said a few words informing all present of the clubs intentions for the day which was the Coffee Morning followed by a Sponsored Walk and culminating in a Silent Auction with all of the money raised going towards deserving international causes including Shelter Box. If the Coffee Morning was anything to go by they will indeed have a very successful day. Rita and I enjoyed the experience, thank you all for a great morning.

(The picture shows yours truly and President Ron)