By PDG Belinda Yeung, JP, Rotary Club of Hong Kong Harbour
November is Rotary Foundation Month
November is Rotary Foundation Month. It is the month that Rotary clubs and districts remind and educate Rotarians about the remarkable programs of our Foundation and seek the financial contributions needed to make the world a better place.
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary International, we tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.
Strong financial oversight, a stellar charity rating, and a unique funding model mean that we make the very most of your contribution. Give and become a part of Rotary’s life-changing work!
The collective leadership and expertise of our 1.2 million members helps us tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, locally and globally. We are united by common values and vision for the future as we sharpen our focus with targeted specific causes that will reach communities most in need.
Rotary Showcase
What Rotarians done to the world?
Please look at it to get answer
Meet with Our Major Donor
AG Lisa Chang – RC Metropolitan Hong Kong (MD level 1)
Collected by PP Maki Wan – RC Kowloon Golden Mile
“I was born and raised in Hong Kong and received high school and university education in Boston. My 20 years of banking career brought me a global view and I have stationed in Switzerland over 6 years. I took a leap into the business world and became a Hong Kong Rice Importer. My objective is to promote rice culture, family education and relationship among families and world. I have a lovely daughter, Vivienne. She is 17 years old and just moved to UK for studies.
I engaged myself to support my mother school as PTA chairlady and parent manager for consecutive years. My compassion to youth service also continues in various associations such as the Golden Bauhinia Women Entrepreneur Association. I am the Executive Vice President and lead the University Scholarship/Mentorship program for the underprivileged female students who have entrepreneur vision. I truly believe in people can make a difference in someone’s life.
My Rotary Life:
My first encounter with Rotary Club traced back over 15 years ago when I was the invited guest of Rotary Club of Beijing. I was very impressed by this international organisation whereby liked-minded people joined globally to live up the high ethical standard the “Four Way Test” and have the same objective in serving the community.
This was the reason why I joined as the member of Rotary Club of Metropolitan Hong Kong over ten years ago. I was President in 2016-17 and served in Rotary District 3450 Area 2 as the Deputy Assistant Governor in 2018-19. I am glad to serve as Area 11 Assistant Governor in 2023-24.
It brought me a very valuable experience to work with community leaders and people in different local and international levels for the diverse service projects to “Create Hope in the World”. Everyone can contribute their shares of their time, money, and resources in their capacity for the betterment of the world.
I do hope that my donation to Rotary Foundation can encourage a ripple effect for more people to join in. Every drop of water can make an ocean.
Meet with Our Major Donor
DS Alice Tam – RC Metropolitan Hong Kong (MD Level 1)
“I am Alice Tam. Freelance writer/Trading. I am a Major Donor Level 1 and a member of the Paul Harris Society. This year, I am privileged to serve as the Secretary in the district, under the leadership of RIP and the direct guidance of District Governor Andy Li in District 3450. I am happy to be able to help and make a difference.”
I have been a part of the Rotary family since 2014 and have always upheld the principle of “Service Above Self” and serving the community. I am honored to have become a lifetime member of the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians at the annual conference in Melbourne, Australia.
As the Vice Chairman of the Kowloon Regional Committee of Hong Kong Scouting Association, Vice Chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the Kowloon Regional Committee, and Chairman of the Editorial Department of the Kowloon Regional Bi-Monthly, I hope to interact with Rotary and do more service to give back to society. I have been the Chairperson of the PTA of the Little Life Catholic School in the Interact Club of the Rotary Club of Hong Kong Metropolis for four consecutive years. I have been a qigong instructor for four years. I have led parents to participate in various activities such as the Rotary’s New Generation Chorus Performance, visiting St. Mary’s Nursing Home, and conducting “Detox” experiments with the Hui Yin Ya Ensemble. I have participated in graduation ceremonies, fundraising fairs organized by Caritas, athletic meets, parent-teacher association lectures, hunger lunches, parent-child competitions, and more.
In order to contribute professionally, I also graduated from the Polytechnic University (Volunteer University). I have been involved in the activities of our Rotaract Club (Hong Kong University) and during the pandemic, I represented our club in presenting a series of awards to teams participating in the Hong Kong Open “Happy Birds” Contest.
I served as the President in 2019-2020. In February 2020, when the pandemic was severe and there was a global shortage of masks, I collected a large number of masks and protective equipment and distributed them to nearly 200 elderly single dwellers in collaboration with Housing Department of Tsuen Wan Village.
I am grateful for the cooperation of PDG HW, Principal PDG Wilson, the officer at that time, fellow students, former presidents of our club, and all club members. Unconsciously, I have been assisting in the PI (Public Image) Committee Branding Department of the district for nearly three years. The harmonious and professional team has made me grow and thrive in Rotary. Remember to save the date for the PI Seminar of District 3450 in Macau on March 2, 2024. I will serve as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee. Thanks to Chair PDG Eric Chak and PP Ron for their arrangements. At last year’s DTA, PDG Norman and a few officers performed a dance routine. This year, I also danced with DG Andy, some officers, and the current presidents in the inauguration ceremony, creating an unprecedented atmosphere. I also received third place in the Mahjong King Competition organized by District 3450 Rotary. I have participated in singing performances within the district.
Rotary life is truly diverse and colorful! DGE Nigel actively participated in our club’s beach cleaning activity and the New Generation Rotary Club invited me to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. DGN Cassy also interacted with everyone. Let’s pass on the spirit of Rotary! It is precious. Many PDGs often give us advice, and PDG Jones has also enhanced my understanding of Rotary. There are many PDGs, district officers, past presidents, and fellow Rotarians who I will continue to learn from. Let’s work together and create hope in the world.
Trustee Chair Message
Barry Rassin
Foundation Trustee Chair 2023 – 24
Renew commitment to top humanitarian goal for World Polio Day
This year, a young health worker in Pakistan known as Bibi Marjana (Miss Marjana). She braves the snow and cold in the mountains to vaccinate 84 children in rural areas, visiting each home, often miles apart. Marjana is one of the thousands of frontline workers in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and outbreak areas that consider heroes in the final push to end polio.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is aggressively pursuing two key goals from its 2022-26 strategy.
- aim to halt wild poliovirus type 1 transmission. This year, only six cases have been documented as of this writing.
- aim to report the final case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, or cVDPV2, in outbreak countries. About 80 percent of cVDPV2 cases last year occurred in subnational areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Yemen. We must implement tailored strategies to stop the virus in these areas.
Other challenges: political tensions, security risks and access issues, and the lasting effect of the pandemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Progress: Poliovirus strains are diminishing, as is the number of affected regions where polio once prevailed. A new vaccine have introduced reduces the incidence of the circulating vaccine derived virus type 2.
What can you do?
- Join or initiate a PolioPlus Society in your club or district and engage all members in this historic moment.
- Don’t forget that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation continues to amplify Rotary’s donations to polio eradication with a 2-to-1 match for every dollar.
- Advocate the cause of polio eradication with governments to secure political and financial support and promote Rotary’s leadership role in all media.
Keep going until we get to the goal have set up.
Polio Plus Corner
Upcoming Events
End Polio Day & InterCity Dinner Meeting – 18 November 2023
District Rotary Foundation Seminar & Grant Management Seminar (DRF &GMS) – May 2024 **
** This is a combined version for this Rotary Year. Please note that GMS is a must to attend event for all clubs to fulfil qualifications for next year
Language learning corner: Let’s speak Mongolian!!!
The Four-Way Test is a set of guiding principles used by Rotary International to promote ethical behavior and decision-making. In Mongolian, the Four-Way Test is known as:
