14 Hhrg December 2008 Newsletter

December 2008 H.HRG #4

Reducing Child Mortality

Welcome

RI President Dong Kurn Lee addressed government and civic leaders during a September forum convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in New York.

to the “Things We Do” Health and Hunger Resource Group December Newsletter. We primarily encourage support of Our Rotary Foundation and Polio Eradication. This edition features an article presented by PDG Prof. Dr. Robert Zinser focussing on “what Rotarians can do to address child health”. It is important to be aware of successful projects, partnerships and some inexpensive solutions. We report good progress with “your herd” and Matching Grants for “Birth Kits” which you can easily join, at this time of giving. Please promote these opportunities to your clubs and friends to help “build a healthier, more peaceful world”.

Heather Yarker General Coordinator [email protected]

Chuck Kurtzman Assistant General Coordinator

[email protected]

Contents: 2. Continue Building Your Herd

3. Global Network for Blood Donation 4. What Rotarians can do to address child health 9. Suggested Health Hunger Activities 10. Foundation Matching Grant—Birth Kits 11. Learn — Grow. Plant nutrition 12. Area Coordinator Mark Doyle 12. Brad Howard. 9 N.I.D’s to Africa 13. Medical Mission to Niarobi 14. Area Coordinator Luiz Coelho de Oliveira Latin America report

At the event, attended by top government and civic leaders, President Lee praised the 20-year partnership between Rotary and the United Nations in fighting polio and reaffirmed Rotary's commitment to working with the UN to eradicate polio and build a healthier, more peaceful world. "We have brought the world closer to the end of a disease and to the achievement of the fourth Millennium Development Goal: reducing child mortality," .... "We have created partnerships that will endure and will yield benefits far beyond the elimination of one disease."

Take a comprehensive approach The best and sustainable way to combat Child and Maternal Mortality is through a “comprehensive approach” in close cooperation with the government, with hospitals and other stakeholders active in this field and in the same target area. Rotary, including leaders in all professions like gynaecologists, managers, organizers, accountants can shoulder such a comprehensive approach… But each single and simple intervention to reduce child mortality is a contribution which every club can make. Giving birth in a safe, professional environment should no longer be a privilege for the rich‐‐‐it is a right all women should enjoy.” Prof. Dr. Robert Zinser Rotary received ‘royal recognition’ by the Emir of Zaria in particular for this project..

“There is no task more noble than to give a child a better future.” Anon. Give Blood. Give a Heifer, a goat or chickens. Give to a birthing kit project. Give some of your talent, encourage others to give some of their talent. Give some of your time and a little of your treasure.

THINGS YOU CAN DO A compilation of Rotarian Action Groups Click here

www.crmrotary.org.au/docs/Things_You_Can_Do.pdf

Make Dreams Real Continue to build your Herd

Ibqqz!Gftujwf!Tfbtpo

Congratulations Rotarians - already $13,000

H.HRG #4 2008 Page 2

Tfbtpot!Hsffujoht!! ! Hjwf!up!Ifjgfs!Gpvoebujpo!boe!tfmfdu!b! hsffujoh!dbse/! Tfoe!b!nfttbhf!up!mpwfe!poft!bewjtjoh! uifn!zpv!ibwf!hjwfo!jo!uifjs!obnf/! ! Lopx!uibu!zpv!ibwf!hjwfo!up!nblf!uif! xpsme!b!cfuufs!qmbdf/!

Dear Rotarians , Hunger and poverty is the single greatest challenge to peace in our world. Heifer has long known that when people are poor, hungry and desperate they have to fight for their survival. But when alternatives to fighting are available, these same people have a chance to enjoy a stable and promising future. Through gifts of livestock and training, Heifer is making a difference in places like Rwanda, Haiti and Cambodia, whose histories are punctuated with conflict. Here, we are providing more than just a way for communities to lift themselves out of poverty; our sustainable approach offers peace and, most importantly, a chance at that promising future. Yours for a better world, Ashley Michael.

Heifer International

This is a wonderful opportunity that is easy, fun and gives hope to those in need. Please select from the pictures and build your own virtual District or Club herd.

The following gifts will Make Dreams Real. 10 to 50 chickens $20 1 beehive $30 Flock of ducks $20 3 Rabbits $60 Trees $60 • Thank a guest speaker by 1 Goat $120 advising that the club will select an 1 Pig $120 appropriate gift of Hope in there 1 Llama $150 honour. 1 Water Buffalo $250 • When a club member celebrates 1 Heifer $500 an achievement, birthday, anniversary they could select a gift which gives Hope.

Payment Note; Payment by electronic transfer or credit card will enable Heifer International to record the “Rotarian World Herd” Please be sure to identify your Rotary club / district on • Give as a family gift at the second page of the order form. Choose “Other Christmas time. Organization” then fill the Name of Organization field with Go to the Heifer International gift page. “Rotarian … your name”, or “Rotary Club of…” or “Rotary District xxxx” www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/ b.204586/ Heifer International has many answers. Visit them on www.heifer.org Print this page as your promotional brochure

Nblf!zpvs!Cjsuiebz-!Disjtunbt!ps! Dmvc!hjgu!lopxo!cz!tfmfdujoh!b!hjgu!dbse! boe!qfstpobmj{joh!ju!vtjoh!uif!Ifjgfs!

Joufsobujpobm!Hjgu!Dbse!tztufn/!

Global Network for Blood Donation A Rotarian Action Group H.HRG #4 2008 Page 3

Four hours from now… She may be your daughter; he may be your son – four hours from now any us may be in need of a transfusion. Our systems of healthcare are based upon the premise that adequate and safe supplies of blood will be available when and where needed and that we have the infrastructure to collect, test, store, and distribute blood and its components. In developing countries, about two-thirds of the blood supply is needed for young children and maternal care. Around the world, transfusions help save the lives of those with malaria, leukemia patients, those stricken with anaemia, accident victims. Volunteer blood donors are the key to saving these lives.

Rotarians roll up their sleeves and provide over 1% of the world’s blood supply. We help our blood centers as volunteers, we provide technology and education.

Tomorrow morning… You could be donating blood at your community blood center

Next month…

Your Rotary Club could be hosting a community blood drive

Right now…

You can make a phone call to your community blood center to schedule a donation, organize a drive, volunteer your time and talent. Contact Chuck Kurtzman, Vice ‐President and Co‐Founder. [email protected]

RI PRESIDENT D. K. LEE HAS CHALLENGED ROTARIANS WORLD WIDE TO HELP REDUCE CHILDHOOD MORTALITY

H.HRG #4 2008 Page 4

WHAT ROTARIANS CAN DO TO ADDRESS CHILD HEALTH mortality is a contribution every club can make.

Introduction In the Breakout Session on June 17, 2008 of Rotary International Convention in Los Angeles, the Rotarian Action Group for Population Growth & Sustainable Development (RFPD) presented project proposals to tackle child mortality, the new RI presidential emphasis. Child Mortality is a complex problem. It is linked with maternal mortality, where the world community hardly achieved any progress during the last decades. In child mortality however, there has been some progress during recent times.

At the United Nations General Assembly in September 2008, the leaders spoke up about the world tragedy that 6 million children, 4 Partnering with professional million newborns, and 530,000 organizations which deal with this subject is advisable. There are many mothers die each year from largely preventable causes. organizations which clubs and districts can contact to seek advice Leaders stood up and made locally, such as World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations commitments to new and renewed action and funding to improve Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), maternal, newborn and child health and help the world achieve and not least The Partnership for Millennium Development Goals 4 & 5 Maternal, Newborn & Child Health ‐ the two goals which strive to (PMNCH). reduce child and maternal mortality. The Challenge of the new These MDGs call on countries to emphasis on “Child Mortality” Our RI President D.K. Lee has to be reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five, and commended for taking up the ‘Reduction of child mortality’ as this to reduce the maternal mortality ratio Nr. 4 Millennium Development Goal by three quarters by the year 2015. (MDG) being one of the most The third health MDG aims to combat important. The other one is Nr. 5 HIV/AIDS, malaria and other MDG “Improvement of Maternal diseases including tuberculosis. Health”. RI President D.K. Lee repeatedly emphasizes that Rotary International partners also committed contributes to the MDGs. to the Countdown 2015 for Maternal, Newborn and Child Survival initiative There are new commitments for that focuses on 68 countries which maternal, newborn & child health together account for 97% of made by the United Nations. maternal, newborn and child deaths.

The best and sustainable way to combat Child and Maternal Mortality is through a “comprehensive approach” in close cooperation with the government, with hospitals and other The Countdown to 2015 tracks coverage of essential interventions which have been proven to stakeholders active in this reduce mortality among mothers, newborns and children to measure progress made by field and in the same target countries towards the achievement of the health MDGs. See www.countdown2015mnch.org/ area. Rotary, including leaders in all professions like gynaecologists, managers, organizers, accountants can shoulder such a comprehensive approach as we point out below. But each single simple intervention to reduce child

(Dr. Francisco Songane will again advise us how best to combat child and maternal mortality when he will present at the RI Membership & Child Mortality Presidential Conference 6‐7 February 2009, Egypt in Cairo February 5‐7, 2009)

The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health Our Rotarian Action Group for Population Growth and Sustainable Development (RFPD) is a member of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health. The Partnership is a global health partnership launched in September 2005; This organization joins the maternal, newborn and child health communities into an alliance of almost 260 members to ensure that all women, infants and children not only remain healthy, but thrive.

Four Districts (Germany, Austria, H.HRG #4 2008 Page 5 Nigeria) and 60 German Clubs from 7 other Districts as well as 1 Rotaract Club, 15 Inner Wheel Clubs and 1 Rotary club from France, Great Britain and The Netherlands joined this Matching Grant ‐Project implemented by District 9120 Nigeria.

The project with an amount of 1 Million Euro was co‐funded by The Rotary Foundation, AVENTIS Foundation and the German Government. Rotary Satellite projects, large District 9120 and their donations‐in‐kind and communities in 2004 requested cooperation with stakeholders help to fight fistula and to increases this amount and the reduce maternal mortality. effect of this project. RFPD’s Model of a Comprehensive Approach to Reduce Child and Maternal Mortality for replication jointly by districts or several clubs together

Rotarian Action Group for Population Growth & Sustainable Development (RFPD) advised the host district and international partner clubs to take a “comprehensive approach” as we learned that between 1990 and 2005 The Partnership Secretariat is hosted the mortality rates fell at less than 1% by WHO, Geneva. The Executive per year although the world Director of The Partnership, Dr. community agreed on a “Safe Francesco Songane, former Health Motherhood” Initiative in 1987. Minister of Mozambique, presented in our breakout session at the RI As mentioned Improving maternal convention 2008. and child health is a complex matter, hence a comprehensive approach He states in impressive words, below will bring more progress. “By saving women, we save not only a mother—but perhaps, the whole family. The mother is the central figure in maintaining the health of her family. The newborn’s life is far more secure if the mother is alive, as are the lives of her other young children.

Rotarian Action Group for Population Growth & Sustainable Development presented the project at the International ‘Women deliver’ conference in October 2007 in London. The Ministers and their representatives who gathered there encouraged us to continue as their resolution stated child and maternal mortality should best be tackled in a “comprehensive approach and in a concerted effort with stakeholders as

nobody can do‐it‐alone”.

for functioning health systems. Maternal and child mortality indicators (including the newborn) are a mirror of how countries‐‐and all of us ‐‐commit to improve socioeconomic conditions and overcome poverty. By saving the lives of half a million women who die each year from pregnancy‐related causes in developing In many poor countries, about 60% of all interventions in countries, we also stand to save a significant number of health centers are related to maternal and child health the 3.3 million stillborn and 4 million newborns who die care. every year, as well as millions of young children under If we succeed in properly addressing these problems, we five. will be making tremendous progress in the consolidation Giving birth in a safe, professional of services. environment should no longer be a privilege This means that by improving maternal health care in for the rich‐‐‐it is a right all women developing countries, we can begin not only to save maternal, newborn and child lives, but also set standards should enjoy.”

Prof. Dr. Robert Zinser (left) Rotary received ‘royal recognition’ by the Emir of Zaria in particular for this project.. It is a Model for The Rotary Foundation’s Future Vision Plan In this 4‐year‐pilot project which started in 2005, we focus on two northern states of Nigeria (Kaduna and Kano) with a target group of 5,000,000 women. Our goal is to identify main risk factors for pregnant women and their babies and address them through advocacy and by raising awareness at the grass roots level. The elements of our comprehensive approach include behavior change by radio serials, training of health personnel, delivery of medical equipment and improvement of quality of structure and process, distribution of mosquito nets and delivery kits as well as prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of AIDS (PMTCT). Two hospitals have been equipped to serve as Fistula Treatment Centers where patients receive necessary reconstructive surgery and post‐ operative care.

The project cooperates with many stakeholders such as Traditional rulers, Government, NGOs, Foundations, i.e. the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Additional satellite Rotary projects, such as education and microcredits for successfully treated fistula patients enable them to have their own income. Safe water management with hygiene and sanitation for hospitals are increasing the project´s lasting effects in preserving the health of children and their mothers. The sophisticated part of our Model to Reduce Maternal and Fetal Mortality is Quality assurance by benchmarking amongst 10 selected hospitals in two Nigerian states supervised by the corresponding university teaching hospital.

Quality goals in obstetrical service are: H.HRG #4 2008 Page 6 Quality of structure Hospital building, equipment, number of staff, service level . Quality of process Trained and experienced personnel and professional performance Quality of outcome Maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality We encourage districts and clubs jointly to replicate this pilot project. Such a comprehensive approach to reduce child and maternal mortality will demand a few hundred thousand US Dollar. But together with a Foundation Matching Grant or even 3-H grant for such an exemplary project funds from other sources can be gained as we successfully managed. One replication is already under study. Many more should follow. RFPD is ready to give advice. Single interventions to combat child mortality Proposals for club projects ‐

Also single interventions to reduce child mortality make sense as even our ‘comprehensive approach’ exists of many single partly small interventions. Especially this aspect was presented Also such single activities are measurable by following up one or by Rotarian Prof. W. Kuenzel, a member of the German project team, more individual indicators for the success of the intervention; see at the International Stillbirth indicators for the corresponding conference Oslo, November 2008. proposal below.

1,120 fistula patients have successfully been treated (as of November 2008), thereof 110 repaired patients have been rehabilitated and reintegrated into their communities; a part of them received microcredits.

In District 9120 clubs of Rotary, Rotaract and Inner Wheel contribute to the comprehensive approach with single interventions.

OBSTETRIC FISTULA IS AN INJURY OF CHILDBEARING. IT OCCUIRS WHEN A WOMAN ENDURES OBSTRUCTED LABOUR WITHOUT APPROPRIATE MEDICAL INTERVENTION. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE: THE BABY USUALLY DIES, AND THE WOMAN IS LEFT WITH CHRONIC INCONTINENCE THE TRAGEDY OCCURS BECAUSE THE SUSTAINED PRESSURE OF THE BABY’S HEAD ON THE MOTHER’S BLADDER OR RECTUM DAMAGES SOFT TISSUES CREATING A HOLE ‐OR FISTULA‐ THAT LEAVES THE WOMAN UNABLE TO CONTROL HER FLOW OF URINE, OR FAECES, OR BOTH.

Main categories in which Rotary clubs can implement in communities such individual interventions to contribute to the reduction of child mortality with Matching or 3‐H Grants: 1. Advocacy / Public Awareness / Behaviour change

with a vow to keep themselves free of diarrhea and pneumonia ‐ two major killers of children spread mainly via dirty hands.

H.HRG #4 2008 Page 7

INDICATOR: Number of children educated in hand washing, Reports of hospitals and TBAs on number of diarrhea cases.

► Building of toilets where badly needed. Of the approximately 120 million children born in the developing world each year, half do not have access to improved sanitation, jeopardizing their survival and development. Poor hygiene and lack of access to sanitation together contribute to about 88 percent of deaths from diarrheal diseases ‐ 1.5 million diarrhea‐related under‐five deaths each year. Studies have proven that effective More than 35,000 children under five ► Education about hand washing hand‐washing ‐ for at least 20 with soap. die of diarrheal diseases each year, seconds ‐ with soap, cuts deaths an average of 100 deaths a day, Clubs can organize talks with from pneumonia and diarrhoea by according to UNICEF. traditional rulers/religious leaders to some 50 percent and is the cheapest INDICATOR: Reports of hospitals inform the families and with school and TBAs on number of classes to directly educate children health intervention in the world. diarrhea cases. i.e. about hand‐washing with soap ► Awareness campaign for breastfeeding. Clubs can contribute to reduce deaths caused by lacking of breastfeeding by organizing relevant campaigns. With breastfeeding 1,300,000 deaths could be prevented. INDICATORS: Number of pregnant women or mothers who attended such campaigns. Traditional Birth Attendants reporting on increase of breastfeeding.

According to studies by the International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases Research in numerous communities less than 1 percent reported washing hands with soap before eating. Similarly only 17 percent of people reported washing hands with soap or ash after defecation. Such practices do not remove germs and do not prevent the transmission of diseases such as diarrhea or pneumonia.

2. Education and training of Midwives and TBAs are caring for all grades of health personnel safe delivery in hospitals and for ► Trainings of midwives and other skilled birth attendants (TBAs) can be organized and implemented by clubs in developing countries.

About half of all women still go through childbirth without access to mothers and their babies during their skilled care or emergency obstetric services. home delivery. INDICATOR: Number of newly In some countries we experience trained midwives or skilled birth 70 % home deliveries. attendants. These are excellent matching grant project proposals.

Clubs can easily get proposals from their local hospitals. A typical Matching Grant project. It has to be made sure beforehand that the equipment can be handled and that it will be maintained. ► Delivery of medical equipment. INDICATOR: Number and There is an unbelievable lack of description of the donated medical equipment last not least in the equipment. gynecological departments of the hospitals. ► Delivery of delivery kits which Improvement of the structure can be purchased from “Birthing Kit including equipment is crucial; see Foundation, Australia remarks on quality assurance above. www.birthingkitfoundation.org.au) or at UNFPA (www.unfpa.org).

3. Procurement of equipment and drugs for hospitals, midwives and Traditional Birth Attendants

Clubs can distribute them amongst midwives and traditional birth attendants (TBA) assisting home deliveries – as explained in the newsletter of RI Resource Group in September 2008. The Head Midwife employed in our comprehensive project requested these delivery kits as basic equipment for home deliveries especially in rural areas. INDICATOR: Number of delivery kits and number of recipients of donated delivery kits.

► Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT). Clubs in developing countries can get in contact with their local hospitals and provide information about a worldwide donation program. This program offers HIV testing and counselling to pregnant women and treatment with anti‐retroviral drugs to reduce the viral load and to extend the life expectancy of the HIV infected patient as well as to prevent the transmission from mother to child. Rotarians will just have to fill out an application form and assure the reporting together with the hospitals to use the donation program. INDICATOR: Number of tested and treated mothers and newborns. IV Combating malaria

INDICATOR: Number of donated insecticide treated long lasting mosquito nets. ► Combating malaria and polio at the same time can be achieved by a concerted effort. Clubs and districts in industrialized countries are invited to join us in sponsoring a large project in Northern Nigeria where Malaria is one of the main causes of child and maternal deaths and where also we still envisage many polio cases. In a pilot project with which we distributed several thousands of nets we experienced that this promoted at the same time polio immunizations. Mothers who received such Insecticide treated long Lasting Nets (INTS) immediately allowed that their babies are immunized and did not listen anymore to remorse which ► Distribution of mosquito nets to prevented them to avoid immunization. babies and their mothers. INDICATOR: Number of donated When Children can sleep under insecticide treated long lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) nearly 700.000 child deaths can be mosquito nets in connection with polio immunizations which parents prevented. Clubs can donate such nets costing did not allow before. around USD 5 each to children and their mothers which they need to Even our pilot project of a protect themselves from malaria. ‐ comprehensive approach so far By combining the efforts of many does not include the following clubs and districts a large quantity of bed nets can be purchased which will single interventions: lower the price of the producer. ►Oral rehydration therapy for Clubs can finance the nets by Matching Grants which International diarrhoea. Clubs can contribute to partner clubs will sponsor. Host partners have to make sure that reduce the dehydration of infants/ children by education, training distribution is well organized. Rotarian Action Group for Population and Development.

sessions and distribution of Oral Rehydration Therapy H.HRG #4 2008 Page 8 items. The items needed for Oral Rehydration Therapy (salt sugar solution) – include clean water, salt and sugar. Training goals should be sufficiently hydrating the infant and instructions on how to prepare and administer the solution to infants and children who are in need of rehydration. Dehydration can be avoided by early and exclusive breastfeeding infants from 0‐6 months. ► Antibiotic treatment for pneumonia, sepsis, malaria is a proposal with which clubs can reduce the number of mothers and children that die from pneumonia, sepsis and malaria. Clubs can organize training sessions and administering antibiotic treatments. Pneumonia, sepsis and malaria are a major cause of maternal and child mortality. With the distribution of information and antibiotics (when necessary) to mothers and their children, these diseases can be avoided and/or treated.

This article was written by Past District Governor Robert Zinser, Vice Chairman of the Rotarian Action Group for Population and Development.

Africa Sub‐Sahara: PDG Dolapo Lufadeju, Ibadan, Nigeria; [email protected] Contact Information Europe: Rotarian Action Group for Population & Development PDG Robert Zinser, Ludwigshafen, Germany; robert.zinser@t website: www.rifpd.org ‐online.de RFPD‐Executive Director: Jennifer Hendrickson, 344 West India, Asia and Australia: Pike Street, Lawrenceville, GA, 30045 USA; [email protected]; PDG Rekha Shetty, Chennai, India; phone: 770‐407‐5633 [email protected] RFPD‐Vice Chairman: PDG Robert Zinser, Marbacher Str. 7, Latin America: D‐67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany; robert.zinser@t‐online.de Rot. Luis Serra, Tandil, Argentina; [email protected] North America and Eastern Russia: RFPD‐Area Coordinators: PRID Bill Cadwallader, Homer, USA; [email protected] Africa‐North and Middle East: PDG Buck Lindsay, Lawrenceville, USA; [email protected] PDG Salem Mashhour, Cairo, Egypt; [email protected]

SOME SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FROM THE HEALTH AND HUNGER RESOURCE GROUP life saving care for children and mothers. • Strengthen health systems – Health systems, particularly in local communities, should be strengthened However, a number of international and expanded to provide technical development organizations including health interventions to children, mothers, and their families. UNICEF, the World Health

Child mortality is a complex issue that lacks a single solution.

H.HRG #4 2008 Page 9 Organize a community project in health, such as a health fair, perhaps in conjunction with your local library or chamber of commerce.

Volunteer to serve at a soup kitchen, individually or as a Rotary club. Develop a project to improve health in Organization, and Save the Children • Promote partnership – Partnership at the workplace, a prison, or an have suggested the following organization in your community where a local, regional, and national levels strategies for reducing child mortality. enhances the ability of the world need exists. Invest in inexpensive solutions – Most community to reduce child mortality by Conduct a project in which every new increasing the effectiveness of child deaths could be prevented by mother at a local hospital receives a solutions that cost as little as US$ 1.00 interventions, minimizing costs, package of information regarding good per child. These include immunizations, improving accountability, and avoiding health and nutrition. breastfeeding, oral rehydration therapy, the duplication of efforts. Promote a contest, whereby children antibiotics, trained birth attendants, • Involve governments – Increasing nutritional supplements, and insecticide government support for proven solutions write, draw, paint, or use some other type of materials, to present their treated mosquito nets. that save the lives of mothers, children rendering of health and hunger needs. Educate women and girls – Educated and newborns has been an essential part of reducing child mortality rates in Become involved in an international women and girls are a crucial countries worldwide. health or hunger project either hands on, component to reducing child mortality. shipping supplies or by providing grant As a whole, women and girls who are To address other major health and support, i.e. AIDS, World Food educated are healthier and better hunger issues Rotary clubs can: Programme, PolioPlus, Operate Heart equipped to understand and address the Promote giving blood in your club and Surgery, and HungerPlus. health risks mothers and children face. your community. Prepare an exhibit of your club’s health • Train health care providers – Many Invite speakers to present programs about aspects of health and hunger at a and hunger projects and communities lack access to trained club meeting. display it at your district health care providers who can provide

ROTARIAN ACTION GROUPS Rotarian Action Groups are voluntary associations of committed Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, and Rotaractors united around a common humanitarian service issue. Through their worldwide networks of volunteers, Rotarian Action Groups

conduct international service projects that advance the Object of Rotary. Any Rotarian interested in the work of a Rotarian Action Group is invited to visit their website use their references and other materials, and consider becoming a member. While Rotarian Action Groups are formally recognized by Rotary International, the recognition of a Rotarian Action Group by Rotary

International in no way implies legal, financial or other obligation or responsibility on the part of RI, or any district or club. A Rotarian Action Group may not act on behalf of Rotary International, or represent or imply that it has authority to act on behalf of R.I. Rotarian Action Groups are not agencies of, or controlled by, Rotary International.

THE HEALTH AND HUNGER RESOURCE GROUP Supported by Rotary International, the Health and Hunger, Literacy, and Water Resource Groups were established to help support Rotary’s annual service emphases and connect Rotary clubs and districts with the information and resources they need to address these issues in their communities. In the 2008-09 Rotary year, resource groups are also responsible for making the RI president and the directors aware of what clubs and districts are doing to reduce child mortality – a special emphasis of RI President D. K. Lee. The 2008-09 Health and Hunger Resource Group is comprised of experienced Rotarian coordinators appointed by RI President D. K. Lee and hundreds of District Coordinators appointed by their respective district governors to support the goal of reducing child mortality and to Make Dreams Real. Additional information about the Health and Hunger Resource

Group may be found on the RI website, including contact information for your district’s zone coordinator. http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/RotaryLeadership/ RIPresident/Pages/HealthandHunger.aspx The Health and Hunger Resource Group supports and encourages Rotary club and district efforts to improve health and nutrition in their communities, paying special attention to issues that primarily affect children and their mothers. The resource group encourages clubs to conduct projects that improve nutrition, reduce vulnerability to preventable or treatable diseases, and increase access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. By carrying out these types of projects, clubs and districts will go a long way toward achieving 2008-09 RI President D.K. Lee’s goal of reducing child mortality.

THINGS YOU ARE DOING SAVING LIVES

H.HRG #4 2008 Page10

Select your Country and number of birthing kits Ethiopia

Rotary Foundation Matching Grant Progress Description Supply of Birthing Kits to Ethiopia via Hamlin Fistula Hospital Host Partner Rotary Club of Twin Bridges $ 250 International Partner Rotary Club of Addis Ababa Central Mella $ Participants Rotary Club of Addis Ababa $ Rotary Clubs of Districts estimated $ 4000 District 7190 Designated Fund. $ 2500 District 7150 Designated Fund. $ 3000 District 7120 and 7170 Designated Fund. $ Yourself $ Your Club $ Your District $

Rotary Club of Twin Bridges Board voted

yes to this most

significant Matching Grant proposal.

Solomon Islands -

Need 15,000 @ US$3 Promised now 1,000 Kits

The Rotary Club of Honiara administers supply of kits to remote villages throughout the small Island Nation.

Nigeria

- Northern Need 30,000 kits @ US$3 Promised now 150,000 Kits

150,000 kits annually to compliment the Rotary International Nigeria Fistula Project.

Rotary Foundation Matching Grant Progress East Timor Description Supply of Maternity Packs to East Timor. Host Partner Rotary Club of Mt Isa SouthWest. $ 10,000 International Partner Rotary Club of Dili $ 100 Participants Rotary Club of Coomera River Midday. $ 4000 District 9640 District Designated Fund. $ 2000 Your personal contribution $ Your Club $ Your District $ Select. 1. Select a Country 2. Select number of kits 3. Select payment method Direct to Birthing Kit Foundation at http:// www.birthingkitfoundation.org.au/rotary.htm

“This is indeed a project worthy of support. We look forward to working with you in support of this project.” Best regards, Yours in Rotary, Tehout (Mrs) Director Community Services Rotary Club of Addis Ababa

mf! q n j Tp!T tfoujbm! t F ! p T ! z t b f Tp!

where special gift forms are available. Email your expression of interest to Heather Yarker at [email protected] to be placed in current Matching Grants.

Picture courtesy Birthing Kit Foundation

One person can make a difference H.HRG #4 2008 Page11

Imagine, if you could, a world that was free of chronic malnutrition.

devising a simple and sustainable solution to global malnutrition through establishing the notfor-profit organisation, Food Plants International.

Where children as young as Through his work he has documented the five did not die of hunger or world’s most complete and comprehensive disease. database of edible plants. Well that could be a reality now thanks to the These plants thrive in their homelands, provide efforts of Tasmanian Agricultural Scientist, Bruce nutrition and, most importantly, help the hungry French. Bruce has devoted a lifetime of work to feed themselves.

One Club - “Your Club” - can make a difference How can Rotary help? The database is only of use in the hands of those who need it most, and herein, the challenge lies.

In a joint venture with not-for-profit organisation Food Plants International, the Rotary Club of Devonport North in Tasmania, Australia, Rotary District 9830 has established the “Learn—Grow” project.

Rotary is uniquely positioned to take a lead role in moving this project forward, representing a worldwide network and a deep concern for world health and hunger issues.

The aim of the project is to develop strategies to deliver this vital information to countries most in need. It also aims to raise awareness and encourage the use of the database among existing aid agencies and programs.

Meet Health and Hunger Resource Group Area Coordinator, Africa. Mark Doyle H.HRG #4 2008 Page12

Past president of Association of Round Tables in Central Africa Malawi/Mozambique/Botswana/ Lesotho/Swaziland/RhodesiaZimbabwe) 1975/76

Marcus Patrick (Mark) Doyle After a career in the BSA Police (Rhodesia/Zimbabwe) in which Mark served almost exclusively in Criminal Investigation he entered the security industry in which he still practices today on a South African, African and international basis as an independent consultant.

He has 38 years’ membership in service organizations.

Ordinator Southern Africa 19982000

Zone 10 (English Speaking Africa) Co-Ordinator for Foundation Alumni 1994-96, Membership 2001-2003, Health Joined RC Belmont D 9250, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe as charter and Hunger 2005 – 2008. Chairman Foundation lowmember in 1978. income country scholarship Joined RC Pretoria 6 (first truly non-racial club in South Africa) in selection committee 2000 -2006. D 9250 representative to 2001 1982 – 112 members. Council on Legislation President RC Pretoria 6 RI President’s Representative to 1986/87. Joined RC Pretoria Nigeria, Zambia and South west 1999, president 2002. Africa. Executive member of the D 9250 GSE team leader to Governors’ Council of Southern Alaska and Yukon Territory D and Eastern Africa 1995 to 2005 5010 in 1990 – Chairman 1999 – 2001. Numerous 9250 district posts 3 x Rotary volunteer conducting including District Rotary Foundation Committee chairman forensic 3H and Matching Grant audits to two Districts in India 1992 to 1995 and 2003. and once in the Philippines (with District Governor D 9250 RI President Bill Boyd) 1996/97 Regional Rotary Foundation Co- 5 RI conventions. 24 D 9250

H.HRG November 2008

conferences, 8 other district Page 2 conferences including D 9700 Australia in 2008.. Visited and spoken at conferences, Institutes and Foundation seminars in 17 African countries and 8 other countries world-wide. Paul Harris Fellow x 6 Sapphires. Recipient of The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service (1999) and Distinguished Service Award (2005) and the D 9250 Service Above Self certificate 2002. Life Member RFFA March 2006. RFFA ANCHOR Director African Operations and RFFA Global Vice Chair.

But still – just an ordinary Rotarian.

“Rotary takes ordinary people and gives them extraordinary opportunities to do more with

their lives than they ever dreamed possible” Past Rotary International President 1978-79. Clem Renouf

Meet Rotarian Brad Howard A Rotarian since 1985, Brad a past president of the RC OaklandSunrise, D 5170 California has a love affair with Africa. He was district governor of D 5170 in 2002-2003 RI president Bhichai Rattakul – Sow the seeds of Love.

Brad has participated in and organized 9 NID initiatives in West Africa (Togo, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana) encouraging more than 600 other Rotarians, primarily from the United States and Canada, to join him on these missions.

those 600 Rotarians that have participated in this year’s Project Fair Opening Workshops. the missions and also the Rotarians and people of the host countries whom he states, All too often the meaning of a word in one culture has a completely difference meaning ‘are the real heroes’. in another. All too often concepts of time and urgency are different. Perhaps, primus inter pares, amongst the volunteers is Barbara Groaner, who at Abuja in 2007 was completing her 11th The essence of his presentation was mission to destinations a far-flung as the need for true communication; that India, Brazil and Africa amongst others. is, true understanding of what has We salute Barbara as representing all been said and what has been meant. volunteers in this, largely unsung network of Rotary Service that crisscrosses the world. And, partners, especially in the developed countries, should understand country Amongst Brad’s treasured memories of infrastructures sometimes mean that not these missions is being witness to the even all professional and affluent Rotarians ‘awakening to service’ that, often, this first have automatic internet access at home or visit to Africa and sometimes the first trip even in the office. In many instances the outside continental America has engendered. This has led to many partner response to an email does not simply mean hitting the ‘reply’ button whilst sitting in one’s projects and personal steps towards club, own office during the routine download but a district and even international leadership time-consuming visit to an internet cafe. roles by participants.

The last three of these missions have coincided with the annual West African Project Fair in Accra, Ghana 2006, Abuja, Nigeria 2007 and Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire Brad’s experience enabled him to deliver a 2008. Although Brad is cited as a Rotary Hero he seminal presentation on “Cultural differences is the first one to say that he only represents between host and international partners” at

Truly, Brad has lived up to the call by ‘his’ RI President Bhichai and “Sown the seeds of Love”

Medical Mission to provide services to orphans and vulnerable children. See; www.gothic63.com

September, 2008, after months of planning and grant applications to the Rotary Foundation, a team of 73 Rotarians and non-Rotarians from 10 countries set off for Nairobi, Kenya, led by Sally Platt, RN, http://sallyskenyablog.blogspot.com and Connie Sparks, District Governor Elect 7390. “I have never been blessed by God, Allah and told I am a miracle worker so many times before. Our whole team have received so many thankyous and good wishes for our life, it should last us all for many lifetimes to come.”

Mukuru is a slum neighbourhood of Nairobi. It houses, in shanties, over 500,000 people. Our site was a school and we had a medical, optical and dental team and a busy pharmacy. In ten days we saw about 6,000 and some lives were saved. The people were so patient they just lined up and waited all day literally in the heat. We worked on tables and the age of my undernourished patients ranged from three months, a first time mum concerned about a lump in her babies mouth to a 20 year old mum who had three children and a very infected molar that I extracted. I extracting over 100 teeth not counting mouldy root fragments. I was lucky enough to work with a Canadian dentist Wayne who was also Charmaine White joined the international team which included health doing his first volunteering stint and Japanese dentist Koji 73 years old and care professionals and non-medical doing his tenth mission. volunteers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, India, Japan, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States. They include physicians, dentists, dental assistants, paramedics, registered nurses, optometrists and opticians. About two thirds of the volunteers are members of Rotary clubs. The medical mission focused on the health needs of children living in the Nairobi slums of Mukuru, Mathare and Korogocho, where the poverty rate is high and access to preventive health care extremely limited.

My saddest patients were the orphans who some did not even know their names so the registration volunteers gave them names and then explained in Swahili what they meant like “beautiful” and “gift” “strong” “brave” and “smiley”.

H.HRG #4 2008 Page13

During our time there were several mercy dashes to hospitals for cases like diabetic twin babies and dehydrated babies and several third degree burns, some TB ulcers and lots of ringworm, umbilical hernias and weird hardly ever seen infections that is not mentioning all the families that were referred to VCT (the HIV /Aids volunteer counselling and testing facility). HIV testing is voluntary so this is a big issue getting people to get tested as usually it is the women’s world that falls apart as the husband leaves and finds another wife. We talk about orphans but I heard of one group of children who were fending for themselves, 12 year old boy with 10 year old sister and 4 year old sister. He works to support his sisters and 10 year old goes to school when she can and the 4 year old stays around the shack until sister gets home. To my understanding of Mukuru that is a very dangerous situation for them to be in but they have each other so are not classed as orphans. No doubt lots of children are in a similar situation, at risk, and literally surviving as best they can on a day to day basis.

Yes what we all did was a drop in the ocean but we went with open hearts and skills and did what we could. The majority of the children were so brave and so good especially as they had no Charmaine reported; “My Kenyan idea what to expect and most that I saw adventure was a leap of faith that Rotary needed extractions on their first visit to would look out for me. It was for me to We had outstanding young locals who take the risk and go half way around volunteered their time and translated for see a white person. One poor child was the world on my own, to a place, so scared that he could not even let me us, without them we would have not Africa that I had never been and meet been as effective or efficient, they were put a mouth mirror in his mouth, but he people that I had never met. was one of a few. a vital necessity. The doctors saw abused children Charmaine Rotary that had to be taken to welfare Club homes and the Parkwood, D.9640 families investigated by police.

Meet Health and Hunger Resource Group Area Coordinator, Latin America, Luiz Coelho de Oliveira H.HRG #4 2008 Page14

He has been municipal secretary of health and a deputy in the regional medicine council of the state of São Paulo.

Luiz Coelho de Oliveira and wife Lucilena

[email protected] Luiz Coelho de Oliveira Coelho is a doctor urologist with a post-graduate degree in occupational medicine and health administration. He also completed a MBA in Health Management in Brasil as well as a Specialization Course in Advanced Health Management in Harvard, USA.

A member of the Rotary Club of Limeira-Leste, Brazil since 1977, he has served RI as 1992-93 district 4590 governor, RI training leader, Regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, committees and task forces member and RI director 2003-05. He has also served as Council on Legislation representative, many International Institutes and Conventions and has represented RI presidents in Brazil and abroad. He has been recognized as The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and its

Distinguished Service Award. He is married to Lucilena, a pedagogue and doctor in School Psychology. He, his wife, and three children are Paul Harris Fellows, as well as Rotary Foundation Benefactor and Major Donors. Coelho was member of the 2006 Nominating Committee for RI President, 2008 Los Angeles RI Convention Promotion member, RI delegate for the UN FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) Conference for Latin America and Caribbean in April, 2008 and nowadays he is the 2008-09 Latin America area coordinator Health and Hunger Resource Group, with faith and enthusiasm.

- Held Seminar for the Defense of Life during the XXXI Rotary Institute of Brazil, in September, in Belo Horizonte. - Signed term cooperation with the Secretary of State for Health of Minas Gerais, seeking the partnership of the Rotary Club of the state with the program LIVELY LIFE, which aims to combat maternal and infant mortality in 30 municipalities in the state. - Created committee between Districts 4520 and 4760 in defense of life, for actions to combat maternal and infant mortality, through the Rotary Club of Belo Horizonte and the metropolitan area. - Motivational talks and enlightening program to combat hunger nutrition and infant mortality in all the training seminars of Districts of Minas Gerais. - Sent letters to all Districts of the Zone 20, asking for the report of actions related to hunger combat, malnutrition and infant mortality. Rotary Club of Foz do Iguaçu D4640 Entity: Bank of Human Milk. Participation of the Club: Partner Through the initiative of the Club, it was possible to create the Bank of Human milk. The project had the partnership of City Hall, Foundation of Health Ita. Foundation of Health Itaiguapy and Itaipu Binational. With the initiative, it was possible to reduce the infant mortality, since it can answer around 480 newborns annually. The project also broadcasted the motherly breastfeeding through direction, over 3,100 mothers. Besides the 3,100 mothers. Besides the donation of equipment for pasteuralization, cooler, shaker, feezers, computer, printer and air-conditioning, the objective is to increase the collection and pasteurization of human milk and to enlarge the number of beneficiaries. Rotary Club of Lajeado Engenho D-4700 Entity: APAE – Association of Parents and Friends of Exceptional Excepcionais Participation of the Club: Partner The organization attends approximately 170 individuals with special needs, with age special needs, with age between 03 months to 45 years old, originating from wanting families. They receive psychological care, pedagogic service, health, early stimulation and other therapies needed, as music music therapy. With the result of a promotion, the club destined R$ 5.000.00 (US$ 3,125.00) for improvements in the living room of music. Rotary Club of Curitiba Bom Retiro. District - 4730 Project: Encouraging the Planting of Fruitfull Trees in Brazil With the aim of promoting health, combating hunger and reducing the infant mortality infant mortality on 02/08/08 it was officially launched by the Club the Project of Encouraging the Planting of Fruitfull Trees in Brazil. The goal is to get the awareness of the States, Local authorities, Schools, Churches, Trade Unions, Associations, Clubs, governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, of the importance of planting fruitful trees to provide fruit in the diet of needy communities. With the adhesion of the District Governor, the Project has become an initiative of the District. http://rotarybomretiro.org/arvoresfrutiferas/ www.rotarybomretiro.org