Message from the District Governor
Haiti in November
I had the privilege of going to Haiti in November and seeing the incredible work that Rotarians have done in the Central Plateau of Haiti. Ralph Byrd, Tom Faulkner, Tom Tiller and members of the Upstate Episcopal Diocese have taken one of the poorest areas in what was formerly the poorest country in the western hemisphere and made significant improvements. The story of the Central Plateau and the work of Paul Farmer, was documented in a book by Tracy Kidder called Mountains Beyond Mountains.
Partners in Health, the organization founded by Dr. Farmer and Ophelia Dahl, now has 4000 people associated with 14 hospitals in the rural areas of Haiti.
What was not in the book is the story of Partners in Agriculture. Gillaine Warne visited Haiti with a neighbor about 10 years ago and started a three acre small hillside garden. That garden has now grown to a 125 acre farm and food production operation that has over 50 employees. Gillaine and her husband Charles grow different crops during the dry season and the rainy season. Their major product is Nourimamba, a sort of peanut butter that mixes in vitamins and powdered milk. It is given to malnourished children through the Partners in Health clinics.
Partners in Agriculture also make food supplements (beans and corn) and charcoal briquettes made from sugar cane stalks. The Warnes have a vision for an Earth University that would teach sustainable agriculture and trades to the local people. The site for the University is adjacent to a river and an incredibly beautiful piece of property
There will be more information about their work in Haiti on the Governor’s Blog. Let me just say that if every Rotarian had the opportunity to visit Haiti, Honduras or other international projects funded by District 7750, we would never again have to worry about contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
And speaking of contributions, District 7750 was recognized at the December Zone Institute for having the highest percent increase in contributions to the Foundation for Rotary year 2008/2009. In spite of the severe recession, contributions from District 7750 rose 15.4%. Congratulations to DG Carol Burdette, Foundation Chair Rich Waugh and his entire committee. As a District, we averaged $111 per member to the Annual Programs Fund. As well, we averaged $836 per club to Polio Plus. District 33 and 34 were the only two zones in the world that every club contributed something to the Foundation. Thank you, 7750 Rotarians.
I know most of the clubs in the District are having some sort of service project. The Rotary Club of Greenville is manning the holiday lights on Roper Mountain in Greenville. This incredible project involves more than 1000 person hours and raises over $150,000 for the Roper Mountain Science Center, Rotary scholarships and other charitable causes. I know many other clubs provide bell ringers for the Salvation Army, food for the hungry, toys for children and Christmas cheer for the elderly. Thanks to all for thinking of the less fortunate at Christmas.
This is Family Month in Rotary. In addition to your generosity, I hope your own families have a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.
You can go to George's blog directly, or just look on the left side of the home page of the website.
Come to Montreal
To experience all that Montreal has to offer, come to the International Convention there June 20-23.
Remember to register early for the best discount and get your hotel res erved as soon as possible. Here are the links for registration and housing on the RI web site and for the Host Organizing Committee web site where you can purchase event tickets. In order to register for the Convention, you’ll need to use Member Access on the RI site. If you’re not yet signed up for that, you can take care of it before you register.
Read more about the Montreal Convention.
Read about Montreal.
Rotary can make you happy
by PDG Myles Golden
District Membership Chair
December is “Family of Rotary Month,” and for me, it has a special meaning. In my DG addresses in 2007-2008, I would quite often refer to Rotary as a family organization. RI President John Kenny emphasizes that in his December letter in The Rotarian magazine. I found myself comparing his Rotary life to mine. We both have been members for over 40 years. When we joined, women were not admitted, but, for sure, our wives have been involved from the get-go. We hosted many an exchange student, as the Kenny’s have, and assisted students obtain Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships. I’ve often quoted my son Clark, after his return one summer from Russia and The Ukraine as Rotary Youth Exchange student , as saying, “Rotary is one of the best gifts Mom and Dad gave me to learn how to live in a global world.” MORE.
Myles was quoted in the December Rotarian in an article titled Networking news. Page 27,28 and 29.
BOOKMARKS: DISTRICT 7750 LITERACY NEWS
Governor George and I were among 7 Rotarians who visited Haiti in mid-November. We were in the Central Plateau around Cange and near the farms we have provided with equipment through 7750 funding. You would have been as proud as I was to see the impact the Nourimanba therapeutic food treatment coming from Guilane and Charles Warnes' farms is having on malnourished infants and toddlers and preschoolers who come to Cange for care.
We're feeding their tummies. Now perhaps we can start to feed their precious minds. Some engaging French picture books could fill that need.If you think your club might be interested, help brainstorm for ideas, or have fundraising suggestions, email me. In Haiti, 55% of the adult population is illiterate. Again we'd like to focus on preschoolers. Contact me with your interest about this project; more information will be forthcoming.
EARLY ROTARY READERS
Governor George has now delivered the EARLY ROTARY READERS PACKET to each club president. Have you let me know who your Literacy Chair is?
What is your path forward--
1. Call me to answer questions about anything on the video or in the booklet.
2. Ask me to arrange literacy speaker to build the case for early literacy in your club.
3. Call me to arrange for a Reader training by January 15th.
4. Trainings can be offered in YORK and in ANDERSON in the first half of 2010. I will work with your club Literacy Chair or contact to make arrangements.
March is RI Literacy Month
Have you planned your club's Literacy Special Emphasis Day? Greenville may be hosting an outstanding national expert of Literacy in America. Your club will be invited. More news will follow.
In March, I will also send you a short Literacy Questionnaire. We will again summarize our activities for reporting at the District Convention.
November RI Literacy Newsletter
December/January RI Newsletter
Sara C. Mansbach
District Literacy Chair
864-250-8868 (w)
864-414-0875 (m)
864-288-7893 (h) |
December 2009 
