District 3450 Rotary Foundation Committee 2023-2024

By PDG Belinda Yeung, JP, Rotary Club of Hong Kong Harbour

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. Rotary is dedicated to fighting and preventing disease. Disease Prevention and Treatment is one of Rotary’s Seven Area of Focus. Disease and illness results in pain and injury. Prolonged severe illness may result in loss of employment and income. It affects families. It affects quality of life. 

HOW ROTARY MAKES HELP HAPPEN

Rotarians educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases. Rotary members have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time. 

Rotary Showcase

What Rotarians done to the world?

End Polio Walk (Hong Kong)

The Rotary District 3450 held the Hong Kong End Polio Walk (2023-24) on 18 November, 2023. Over 500 people participated in the Walk, raising approximately USD 90,000.

The purpose of the “End Polio Walk” is to increase public awareness of Polio and to raise funds for countries that have not been able to eradicate Polio. The funds raised will be used for end Polio education, publicity and vaccination.

This year’s participants in the Hong Kong Walk included Rotarians and families from Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong Province.

The Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally and RID 3450 District Governor Andy Li presided over the end Polio walk opening ceremony, during which various public health and Polio speeches were delivered.

The Rotary global campaign to eradicate Polio in children began in 1988. Wild Polio virus strains currently exist only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary has since played an important role in the fight against Polio.

Rotary International has so far sponsored approximately USD 2.6 billion for the eradication of Polio.

The global end Polio fundraising goal for this Rotary Year is USD 50 million. By 4 December 2023, Rotarians in RID 3450 have raised around USD 150,000 for end Polio. Every dollar raised will be matched on a 2:1 scale by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

End Polio Walk (Macau)

澳門八扶輪社為結合響應國際扶輪根治全球小兒麻痹症計劃，由澳門中區扶輪社作為主辦社；澳門扶輪社、澳門濠江扶輪社、松山扶輪社、澳門海島扶輪社、澳門友誼扶輪社、澳門西望洋扶輪社及澳門東方明珠扶輪社共同協辦，舉行二零二三年根治小兒麻痹症慈善活動。

該活動包括兩個部份：第一部份為於本年十月二十八日晚上在澳門觀光塔葡國餐廳舉行之國際扶輪全球最大的宴會，以萬聖節為主題，參加社友、家眷及嘉賓甚為踴躍，寓聯誼於慈善。

第二部份為於本年十月二十九日上午在澳門觀光塔舉行之活動啟動儀式及在觀光塔頂層舉行之空中漫步。

兩個活動，萬聖節派對共有接近140人出席，（包括扶青及嘉賓），而空中漫步（包括扶青，扶少，澳門扶康會，街坊總會聯合總會，澳門利民會）共有約200人参與是次活動， 為根治全球小兒麻痹症計劃籌得約二萬二千美元。

End Polio Walk (Mongolia)

The End Polio Walk (Mongolia) was successfully organised on Saturday 7 October 2023.  

A total of 130 Rotarians from 20 Rotary Clubs, Rotaractors from 6 Rotaract Clubs and Interactors from 1 Interact Club together with their family and friends participated in the Walk.

Thank you members of our Mongolian Rotary family for supporting the Event – through your attending the Walk in person, raising fund for End Polio and building public awareness of the Rotary Signature (Polio) Project in Mongolia.  Special thanks to Rotarians of Rotary Club of Ulaanbaatar Peace Avenue for organizing the Event very successfully.

Rotary Foundation Recognition at Intercity Meeting

Intercity Meeting was held at Regala Skycity Hotel. We were honored to have the presences of Rotary International President Gordon McInally and his wife, Mrs. Heather McInally. As of 18 November 2023, year-to-date in this Rotary year. Rotarians donated an aggregate amount of USD 860,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Also, to celebrate the Pearl Wedding Anniversary of our District Governor Andy LI and Mrs. Jane LI, they donated USD 100,000 to the Rotary Foundation.

To show support and gratitude to our community services, Mrs. LO WONG Shui Yin, who was one of the award recipients in the project called the “Ten Happy Seniors Awards” which was a service by Rotary Club of Happy Valley and Rotary Club of Victoria Harbour in Rotary year 2013/14, donated her art piece titled “Plum Flower” to Rotary International District 3450.  The Plum Flower were auctioned during Intercity Meeting and PDG Vincent TO displayed his passion of being People of Action to facilitate us towards service above self.  Swiftly, PDG Vincent’s HKD 100,000 is truly generous and went to the Rotary Foundation.

During the session on The Rotary Foundation Recognition, we welcomed new Paul Harris Fellows and look forward to their continual support in time ahead.

In our Rotary District, many Rotarians believe in Creating Hope in the World and wholeheartedly support our services by becoming new multiple Paul Harris Fellows.

In addition to recognition of notable donations towards the Rotary Foundation, this Rotary Year’s Intercity Meeting also witnessed the launch of Rotary Volunteer Network and Rotary Mental Health Service along with recapitulating End polio walk.  The Intercity Meeting only showed a few of the Five avenues of services from our District and donations to the Rotary Foundation financial supports our good work within the community for people in need. 

Meet with Our Major Donor
P Cynthia Lee – Rotary Club of Peninsula South (MD level 1)

Collected by PP Maki Wan – RC Kowloon Golden Mile

During the pandemic, I have established new hobby in music & sports. I am having weekly training at the gym room and in music classroom. Listening to music and watching musical highlights have become my interest.

I was once the club president in the Rotary year 2000-2001, and I feel honored to become the President of my Club again in this current year 2023-2024, this give me the opportunity to serve our members & the society, and together we create hope in the world. All in all, I feel proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Peninsula South!

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a Rotarian?

I find myself a very lucky person to become a Rotarian ! I met a good friend in my first job who was the President of Rotaract Club of Peninsula at that time, and I was being invited to be a member. Subsequently, I served as President in the latter year. After the presidency, due to the age limitation as a rotaractor, I shifted my personal focus onto career development & build up of my own family. Until our mother Club, Rotary Club of Peninsula invited our CP to build a new Rotary Club, both myself and my good friend were becoming the chartered member of my club, the Rotary Club of Peninsula South.

The most rewarding aspect of being a Rotarian are:

1. Service opportunities: There are numerous opportunities to make a positive impact on the communities through various service projects, including building schools in China, clean water projects, elderly’s care and mentoring of school students…etc……..
2. Vocational & Professional enhancement: We have professional speakers during every weekly meeting and visits to various organizations throughout the past years.
3. Networking & Fellowship: Grateful to build up relationship with passionated & like-minded individuals who come from different professions & backgrounds.

What impact do you hope your donation will have on society or future generations?

To support organizations and initiatives dedicated to Education & Healthcare. By contributing to educational institutes or scholarship programs can help to provide access to equality education for individuals who may not have the means to pursue it. By investing in education and skill development, donations can empower individuals to their full potential, and subsequently contribute to the society, and create a better future and hope for themselves and other.

To provide funding for healthcare sector can be used to upgrade and maintain medical facilities, purchase the necessary equipment and to ensure that healthcare providers to have the necessary tools and resources to deliver high-quality care that can have long-term benefits for society and future.

Meet with Our Major Donor
PP PC Fong – Rotary Club of Peninsula South (MD level 1)

Being the club president in the year 1993-94 and 2015-16, the Chairman of the District Rotary Foundation Seminar in 1996-97, the District PolioPlus Chairman in 1996-97 and 1997-99, the RYLA District Chairman in 1997, the Kowloon Area 2 Assistant Governor in 1999-2000, the Chairman of the 40^th District Assembly in 2000, the District Vocational Service Trainer in 2000-01, and the Chairman of the District Officer Training Seminar in 2002, I have come to learn much about Rotary.

As mentioned, time and again, Rotary’s motto is “Service above self”, whereas manpower and money are the two indispensable parts in doing services. By donating to the Rotary Foundation and becoming a major donor, I can multiply my own little manpower by a great magnitude, by which more people can benefit from our services. In fact, donation can be made in one big lumpsum or in trickles across a vast span of time. I have chosen the latter way so that my contributions can be continuously helping those in need. Of course, donation will not stop after one reaches the level of being a Major Donor. The need is always there.

The world is suffering amidst humanitarian crises right now. Among the seven major areas of focus of Rotary, which include promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, and supporting the environment, the very first area of promoting peace should be in the utmost urgent need of attention at the very present moment.

I would sincerely hope that my contribution to the Rotary Foundation can be utilized more to the peace-making effort to alleviate these crises.

As I see it, Rotary should make a stronger voice internationally against civilian casualty and to seek cooperation from other international voluntary organizations to provide humanitarian aids and to call for a humanitarian ceasefire in all areas of conflict. If this can be done, I can stand up even prouder of being a Rotarian and will continue to contribute to the Rotary Foundation in whatever way I can.

Meet with Our Major Donor
PP Ada Ng – Rotary Club of Peninsula South(MD level 1)

At my time, Rotaract life is short, only until 28 years old. I was detached from Rotary when I reached the age limit, it was not until 1992 when our Charter President, Albert, who’s chartering a new club, Peninsula South, invited me to join and become a charter member of the Club.

Like a few charter members of the Club, am with Peninsula South for 31 years now. I was in my mid-thirties when I joined Rotary, life back then was a challenge with my hectic work schedules and my two kids, thanks to my Rotary pals, their friendship with Rotary services drive me move forward and add colours to my life.

Come join Rotary and you will share my feelings, you will agree that being “young” or “too busy” should not be reasons to impede you from joining Rotary. Rotary friends and services give us a good feeling about ourselves and the world around us, it’s worth for you to spare your time on it.

Any message to potential major donors?

Now and then there are voices why not contribute to a club fund for services to have more flexibility and autonomy instead of donating to TRF, especially when we got frustrated with the not user-friendly procedures while fulfilling the formalities to apply for a district grant, but at the end we concur that when we join an organization, no matter what, we should support its mission and we are obliged to help to achieve it. Make a donation to TRF to support Rotary, your District and your club president!!

Am just among the many small people doing small things in a small world, I will follow my heart and as long as I feel happy to stay with my pals in the Club, I will move forward with the Club and support the activities and services of Rotary.

Trustee Chair Message

Barry Rassin
Foundation Trustee Chair 2023 – 24

The magnitude of our impact

This month, as we celebrate The Rotary Foundation, let’s recognize it for what it is: one of the world’s best humanitarian organizations.

What Rotary supports in the world?

Clean water, good health, and a sustainable future for our planet. If they envision a world where peace, full literacy, and economic opportunities for communities to support themselves exist. And if they want to see mothers and their babies thrive, their vision aligns with the work we do.

And a lot of work in progress through the Foundation. Polio eradication is changing the world, one drop of vaccine at a time. Rotary Peace Centers are training peacebuilders to reduce violence and resolve conflict. And through Foundation global and district grants, lives are improved in a real way.

For global reach, there has more than 48,000 field offices in the form of Rotary and Rotaract clubs. Also emphasize good stewardship of the funds and efficient implementation of the projects. Always aim for sustainable solutions.

For 2022-2023

For 2022-23 Rotary year, the Foundation awarded 1,098 global grants.

Examples of scale of work and magnitude of the impact

The district supported a global grant project that focused on basic education and literacy in Malawi, helped train 38 teachers who are responsible for 4,000 students. And built two toilets and installed a pump, so they had water for drinking and hand washing.

Thank you for support on The Rotary Foundation.

Upcoming Events

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!!!