Anniversaries: Kees and Henny Boeters Aug 12, 54 years; Blake Sheets Aug. 15 60 year; Bill and Carena Long, Aug 17, 50 years
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Meeting Date: Aug. 12, 2024 at the Anglican Parish Hall. After an excellent meal of Broasted Chicken from Sam’s Restaurant, Leader Henny began the meeting at 7:00 pm.
Correspondence:
1. 4 Thank you card from RDHS students for Grad Awards
Brandon Stirling, going into the Carpentry and Renovation Technology at Fanshaw College
Mac Kenzie Anderson, going into the Construction Engineering Technology at Fanshaw College
Ethan Gagner who thanked our club for we do in our small but strong community
Owen Campbell
2. A newsletter and Impact statement from the C-K Hospice as well as a request for a donation
This will be dealt with a the first September meeting
Program: Leader Henny introduced the speaker Sharon Ninaber
Sharon moved to Ridgetown in 2022
Her talk was about her involvement with a school in Uganda
She didn’t intend to get involved there, but she went to a pastors’ conference there in 2019
She met Pastor Patrick who had been praying for 40 days to meet a Canadian to help Uganda
She went to the Friends for Life (FFL) school, run by Pastor Ruth
Friends for Life now has Sharon as the Canadian Ambassador
One of its objectives is to rescue kids facing abuse, poverty, child labour and child marriage
AT Bukerekere, they currently have 38 children living at the FFL school and 34 other children from the surrounding community who cannot afford to pay the school fees but give what they can
Sharon gave some examples of students who were facing serious abuse
Another objective of the FFL program is to encourage the unique grifts and talents of the children, helping them flourish, sharpen their skills and become leaders
Many of the kids have poor self-esteem, so this will hopefully help them
She also showed us some examples of this
The 3rd objective is to bring families together whenever possible, especially when a relative is able and willing to provide a safe environment for child and FFL can assist
There is no free education in Uganda, which means many children can’t go to school
Sharon has taken many trips to Uganda, and on one trip took puzzles and building blocks, which the children had never seen, but didn’t take long to learn how to use them
FFL is now building a new school in Busunju, which is about 45 minutes from the present school
The reasons for this are to no longer pay rent, continually putting money into property that isn’t theirs and the present school building is in general disrepair
Also, they hope to make more room for orphans and vulnerable children; there are over 3 million orphans in Uganda
The new school is right beside a Catholic church
In answer to a question, Sharan said that in Uganda, there are about 70% Christians, 20% Muslims and 10% practicing witchcraft who generally get along well, at least in this area of Uganda
When complete, at a cost of about $140000 CDN. the school will be able to provide education from kindergarten to Gr. 7 for up to 250-300 children
The new location will be very private and safe, unlike the current one, with proper desks, chairs and lots of light
The dorm rooms will have more space with each student having a mattress
They will also have a full acre of land to grow vegetables and fruit and a play area for the children
Sharon answered many questions and it was a very informative presentation.
Many of our members gave Sharon donations for FFI
Committees:
1. Kees: Medical Equipment
a) Donation of 2 Rollators
Need 2 more as well
b) Pricing of 2 wheel chairs
Need 2 wheel chairs
2. Ron: A donation from Shirley Kennedy of $100 to use as we need
3. Reinout: An update from the car show finances
Total profit was $2777
In 2023, $3390
Happy Bucks:
Reinout told about his son’s experience at the Paris Olympics in Dressage
The Canadian team came 11th, with the top 10 teams moving on
50-50 Carla V won $30, and gave $20 to our guest speaker Sharon.
Leader Henny asked if there was “Anything for the good of Rotary?”
Henny closed the meeting at 8:10 pm.
The next meeting is on Aug. 26, 2024 at David Brian’s home on Rose Beach Line 12185. “Fun at the Lake.” A summer bbq. Starts at 4:30 pm, with games etc. Hamburgers at 5:30.
l-r: Sharon Ninaber and Rotary \leader Henny Boeters
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