REFLECTING on the successes of the past year, Zululanders once again reiterated their support for the humanitarian work done by Rotary Club of Empangeni during an ‘Interest Evening’ last week.
Held at the Empangeni Country Club, Rotarians heard of the many projects conducted throughout the year to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, as well as address pressing challenges.
One of these challenges and one which Rotary Empangeni has had major success, is at Thuthukani Special school where close to R1-million was spent on the establishment of a skills centre. The centre trains intellectually challenged teens in gardening, housework, sewing and other skills which they can use to gain employment or make a living from.
The Bicycles for Humanity Project is another project that has really got the wheels turning for local communities.
Bicycles were shipped here in containers and are distributed amongst the communities who need them the most. To date 15 000 bicycles have been received from the Rotary club in Seattle.
Another most rewarding project is the wheelchair project. Rotarian’s have been into deepest Africa to hand out wheelchairs to beneficiaries. A wheelchair costs R1 000 and some of them are donated whilst others are bought by Rotary Empangeni.
The Rotary Family Health Day also has far reaching benefits. The aim was to bring medical screening to the community with focus on HIV and Aids. This was made possible with wonderful co–operation from the Department of Health, Ngwelezane Hospital and several NGOs.
In addition, Rotary Empangeni assists a number of local crèches, one of which is the Mafika Crèche where they have assisted with a fence, equipment, annual Christmas parties and very recently, a Jojo water tank.
Some of the smaller organisations that Rotary Empangeni support include Family and Child Welfare, SANCA, NSRI ,Zululand Hospice, SPCA, Sinalo Cerebral Palsy Centre, Leisure Gardens, Thuthuzela Crisis Centre and CANSA, as well as collecting some old clothes and blankets for DICE and IOP.
Those interested in supporting or joining the Rotary Club of Empangeni can contact Glynn Harborth on 082 5744155 or email hog1@polka.co.za.
Worldwide there are more than 34 000 Rotary clubs which bring together a global network of volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.
