The Rotarty E-Club of Southern Africa hikes for a good cause at The Wilds Nature Reserve

Locals and the Rotary E-Club of Southern Africa members tackled The Wilds Nature Reserve’s steep hills in their fitness gear for the End Polio Now initiative.

Speaking on October 23 Rotary’s International representative, Annemarie Mostert said the club’s aim behind the hike was to raise funds to fight polio.

“In 1985, the Rotary Club made a promise to children throughout the world that it will leave no stone unturned and leave any child paralyzed because of the wild poliovirus. There is a huge effort from our partners to get through to the remaining number of children who haven’t been vaccinated against polio.”

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According to the World Health Organization,” Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under the age of five. The virus is transmitted by person-to-person, spreads mainly through the fecal-oral route or, by a common vehicle (e.g., contaminated water or food), and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis.”

A hiker, Thandi Molefe said she was glad to help the initiative by keeping fit.

“This is a great way to raise funds because not only are we keeping fit, but we are raising funds for a good cause. I would encourage people to participate in such initiatives.”

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Mostert concluded that there was a low number of polio cases in the world, mostly in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“There is a huge effort from our partners to get to the remaining number of children who haven’t been vaccinated against polio. South African newborn babies are privileged because the vaccinations happen in their infancy years, some regions still have a long way to go with inoculation against polio.”

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