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Guest Speaker Report Wednesday 18 May 2011 by Rotarian Ian Johnson (reporter) Our guest speaker was Bruce Allen who spoke to us about “The Rotary Foundation”. Bruce is the manager of the Rotary Foundation South Pacific and Philippines office in Parramatta. Bruce was introduced by Bradley Ayres. Bruce commenced by reminding us that we are fortunate in that we have much more than we need to be content. We need to rise up to the challenge to make the world a better place for those who don’t have what we have. Bruce advised us that he travels to India each year to help with Rotary Foundation projects. Bruce informed us that 70% of the Indian population live in rural communities where the main concerns are water and sanitation. Bruce showed us some photos of some of these projects. One project installed a Reverse Osmosis Plant to give clean water to a village making use of a Matching Grant of $12,000-00. In another project a toilet block was constructed at a school much to the delight of the children. Another school where students previously sat on the floor and used their bags as desks benefited greatly from a gift of desks. Bruce also gave us examples of how assistance given can help the recipient earn an income: - Gifts of sewing machines - Establishment of a School for Pastry Chefs - Assistance in building goat herds. Bruce then advised us of health projects undertaken by the Rotary Foundation. He showed us photos of a hospital which is run with the assistance of Rotary. He also reminded us of the great work done towards polio eradication. Bruce reminded us that all this great work costs money. Bruce advised us that all Rotarians should aim to give US$100-00 per year to the foundation. He said that we should all consider “Personal Giving”. He also encouraged us to consider making a bequest in our wills. Bruce was thanked by PDG David Croft.
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