Exchange Student Jess Moat joined the group welcoming eleven new Inbound Students in Meaford this past weekend.

 

Cheryl Ewing spent very full days coordinating a three day Performing Arts Conference for 73 artists.  She is now on her way to Newfoundland to enjoy participating in a similar conference, and then a well earned vacation in Halifax.

 

Ernie Ginsler was happy to have worked with Bill Proctor on his following message.

 

Bill Proctor worked with Ernie on selling Car Draw tickets at Belmont Village this past weekend.  While the location was not as goodas last year, and they had competition from Oktoberfest's draw for a Porsche (at $100 a ticket), they had a very successful $1,750 day.

 

Barry MacLeod is pleased to have completed 45 years in Rotary.

 

Shawky Fahel has returns from watching several of the final World Cup matches in Russia, including one in a wheelchair.  He accidentally purchased a ticket for a handicapped person.

 

Adrian Decoo (who celebrates his 31st anniversary with Rotary today) for his leadership in working with our Strategic Plan Committee.

 

What does RAWEF stand for - Rotary African Women's Education Fund. 

 

Neil Swayze reminded us that we are now six weeks until the start of the on-line auction.  One sponsorship has been sold to Memory Gardens (9 to go) and they have also donated a pair of Leaf tickets.  Dave Chatson has therefore met his $500 member goal, but he will continue to look for opportunities.  A sample request letter is now available on our website and will be emailed out to members.

 

Chery Ewing announced that this Tuesday's Foundation Board meeting will be rescheduled.

 

Howard Pell indicated that September's Saturday slots at the Market are full, but go on-line or sign the sheet for an October slot.
 

John English, Dave Martindale and Martin Jones put forth valiant efforts - but left the Jack of Hearts face down, leaving $362 on the table.

 

Martin and Diane Jones have returned from three weeks in Kenya.

 

Martin provided us with a history of RAWEF. 

 

Our efforts began in conjunction with the Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club when we hosted a dinner at CIGI to raise funds for their African initiative, and to present Paul Harris awards to Jim and Heidi Balsille for their charitable efforts in the community. 

 

When CIGI cancelled this initiative, with the $16,000 we raised, we decided with the assistance of Dr. Irene Sage to proceed on our own. While still Africa related, we changed our direction.

 

Rotarian Dr. Audrey Wipper, having spent time in Uganda working on her PHD developed a strong belief that the future of Africa was dependant on the education of women.  With that focus she donated $500,000 to our Foundation to provide scholarships in Uganda and Kenya. We are able to provide tuition, room and board and books for $2,000 a year in Uganda, and due to government scholarships, $1,000 a year in Kenya.

 

Using primarily earnings, we have 18 graduates, 19 students working on their degrees and 18 new students.  We still have about $450,000 in the fund.

 

Our grads include 11 of the "Aboke" girls (high school students who were kidnapped and held captive for about 10 years by the Lord's Resistance Army).

 

In awarding scholarships, while we vet each application, we work through Children of Hope Uganda for women in Uganda and Caring Partners and Notre Dame Children Outreach for women in Kenya.

 

Martin noted that in Kenya, most of the girls are from poor farms, where the parents are able to provide minimal assistance.  Therefore, without these scholarships, University education would be virtually impossible.

 

In addition to meeting with some of our students, Martin also spoke with several high school classes and made them the aware of RAWEF.

 

Martin and Diane did spend some time seeing the sights of Kenya and spent countless hours in cars, vans and buses travelling the bumpy "roads" of Kenya.

 

Thank you Martin and Diane for your efforts on our behalf.

 

Audrey died in April, and in continuing to build her legacy, left most of her estate to RAWEF.  Her cousin and Executor, Ian Cowan, was present and presented Martin with a cheque for $500,000, representing a preliminary distribution.

 

The RAWEF committee consists of John English, Irene Sage, Bill Carter, Dave Martindale, Tom Mennill, Martin Jones, Mary Rielly, Karen Redman and Ray Taylor.  Audrey had been a member while she was able. 

 

Ian Cowan - Audrey Wipper's Cousin

 

Left to right back row: Bill Carter, John English, Darren Sweeney, Ray Taylor, Dave Martindale, Wayne Schooley

Front row: Wayne Boehler, Irene Sage, Martin Jones, Ian Cowan

Closing Remarks & Reminders