The Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour Daybreak Bulletin Edition: 13 January 2015

www.coffsharbourdaybreak.org

Editor: David Schama

PO Box 58 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

Cathy Booth – Umoja Orphanage Kenya

RAWCS project number 51/2011-12 -Full time primary teacher with four children -Every 14 seconds is orphaned in sub-Saharan Africa -Some of the living conditions in Kenya are appalling

http://umojahome.com/kenya/index.php

Firstly, I am very passionate about what I believe in. I am determined, strong willed, and stubborn beyond belief when I have a goal to achieve. Or as my father says, ‘Like a bull at a gate’. I have strong Leo traits: loyalty, forgiveness, and compassion. I find it very difficult to say no to people in order to spare their disappointment. Basically, I wear my heart on my sleeve. As a child, I always wanted to grow up and work in an orphanage. As time passed, however, I took a different path; I married young and had four beautiful children (one son and three daughters). I lived in Papua New Guinea, with my husband and children, for six wonderful years, loving the country and the culture of the people. I especially enjoyed the simplicity of living. (courtesy Umoja Orphanage website)

-In 2011 volunteering in Kenya gave Cathy an opportunity to learn about the conditions in Kenya - taught up to 90 children in one classroom -Registered the project "togetherness or unity" -Feb 2012 due diligence tour in Kenya about what worked well and did not work well.

Cathy speaking about Umoja -Purchased 15 acres of land in Kenya. Project is divided up into various sections with lots of planning involving the local community. Initially very suspicious of Cathy who needed to develop trust with local inhabitants. -Building relationships in Australia to raise funds was challenging -Located 1hour East of the coast -Prioritised the building blocks for success to create a sense in the community that they would be there for the long term -Started with a caretakers cottage and a well

Marilyn (missing part of her head-sorry) and guest speaker Cathy Booth

-Jan 13 Rotarians 7 to build cottage -Sept 13 Rotarians 15 to build -Oct 13 gate completed

Weekly Meetings: Coffs Harbour Golf Club, Earl Street Coffs Harbour Wednesday Morning 7.00am for 7.15 start

Club President: Bev Stalling Secretary: David Wilson Treasurer Peter Leonard

-April 14 beginning in of self-sustainability 19 Rotarians build a cow shed -Trained 38 Kenyans in permaculture sills - two trainers hired (Kenyans) -Oldest Rotarian visitor was 86 years old -April 14 200 health clinic -Feed 2500 hungry children -Grandchildren raised money for goats

-Umoja Tours and Safaris launched this year with sustainable tours raising funds for the project. -All funds managed through RAWCS who pay the bills in Kenya -residents limited to not more than five-years old and only with community services who provide potential children for the centre.

-Sept 14 Aust. Govt. DFAT provided funds for internal security within the home to meet requirements -Greenhouse 3 acres under production - sold to the local markets in town. Helps pay fuel and transport -Nov 14 foundations laid for the home -Jan 15 second permaculture training theory as well as practical -Feb 15 invited to guest-speak in India at five Rotary conferences -March 15 original teams build fence -April 15 successfully growing their own food donation from Qld to connect electricity $7K ultimate cost

Cathy is thanked by Alan

Founder and volunteers from Umoja gave back to locals in Kenya by: 

visiting other orphanages to help out wherever needed

-June 15 permanent bore-hole drilled for fresh water

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assisting in permaculture training for farmhands from other orphanages

-July 15 House completed no luck with cow insemination

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teaching and guiding orphanage staff on new learning strategies

-Sept 15 11 Rotarians - trained 8 men and women in fencing and electrical fencing, basic vet care

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educating children in literacy, numeracy, and the arts

-Health clinic keep running out of medical supplies - skin complaints main issue found in locals

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engaging locals managers and contractors who will in turn employ other locals

-Oct 15 Community invited volunteers into their homes for the first time

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purchasing building materials from local retailers to help support their families

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employment of local Kenyans to build help build our perimeter fence employment of Mammas to cook for our training courses we hold on our land

-May 15 Aust dollar drop caused challenges

-Nov 15 Aust Gov paid for water tanks

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-Cathy has paid a social worker to study at university who will be a main contributor for the centre

Weekly Meetings: Coffs Harbour Golf Club, Earl Street Coffs Harbour Wednesday Morning 7.00am for 7.15 start

Club President: Bev Stalling Secretary: David Wilson Treasurer Peter Leonard

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Casual employment of local Kenyans at planting time and harvesting time

Meeting Guests

2 Umoja team members sponsoring 2 Kenyan locals through sewing school to become a qualified tailer and through university to become a social worker for Umoja

Rotary Toast

Rod Bennett, Cathy Booth (guest speaker) The Rotary Club of Aberdeen chartered in August 1916. Meet on Tuesday 12.45pm for lunch at the Royal Northern University Club Aberdeen. President Nigel Davers

Raffle

Meeting Roster 20 January 2016 Door Attendance

Judi Elliott

Thank Speaker

Kelly Fitzgerald

Sergeant

David Schama

National Anthem

Marilyn Brien

Visitor Host

David Schama

Raffle won by Ana Amey, wine raffle won by Brian Armstong

27 January 2016 Door Attendance

Alan Jenkinson

Thank Speaker Sergeant

Kim Kardashian George Clooney

National Anthem

David Schama

Visitor Host

Graeme Spink

Hello again Loretta and Di .

President Report

03 February 2016 Door Attendance

Lucie Wekeem

Thank Speaker

Peter Leonard

Sergeant

Peter Davies

National Anthem

Ann Gee

Visitor Host

Marilyn Brien

Upcoming Calendar 26 Feb

Trivia Fundraiser

03 April

Coffs Coast Ocean Swim

Upcoming Guest Speakers 20 Jan

Bob Prater – Youth Directions

27 Jan

Committees Meeting – no guest speaker

03 Feb

Bob Neich – RAWCS

10 Feb

Vocational Visit Mother Nature’s

Meeting Apologies Vince Brooker, Brian Armstrong, Gary Hutchinson, Katrina Gleave, Liz Donnan, David Wilson

Bev Stalling 

Welcome back Loretta and DI we missed you!

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Board meeting was held last Monday night

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Busy for the next 6 months including collectors fair, trivia night, swim and collectors fair.

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Conference 15-17 April accommodation has been booked by Bev. Wonderful guest speakers and lots of music, entertainment as well as music workshops for a choir

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Visited Gary yesterday and he is very positive and doing well in hospital. We wish him all the best

Leave of Absence

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Louise Rose, Elaine Jefford

Weekly Meetings: Coffs Harbour Golf Club, Earl Street Coffs Harbour Wednesday Morning 7.00am for 7.15 start

Club President: Bev Stalling Secretary: David Wilson Treasurer Peter Leonard

Vocational Ann Gee 

Vocational visit on 10 February at Mother Nature’s meet at Molly and Me for breakfast. We will learn how they use local produce.

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Eagle Helicopters in March.

International Helen Houston

Alan and our guest Rod Bennett

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Short report: with lots of exciting activities for the year

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Upcoming kits for kids and shelter box

Correspondence Incoming 

Rotary Adventure in Citizenship invitation

Youth

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Rally Australia invitation to speak at a meeting

David Schama

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RDU Invoice for subscriptions

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Rotary Foundation duplicate receipt

Treasurer Report Peter Leonard

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Rotaract visit on 25 January

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Rotary Adventure in Citizenship invitation in May

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RyMarine planning will need to proceed this quarter.

Account balances 

General A/C $10,762.21

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Project A/C $8,322.79

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Investments total $16,501.13

Club Service Marilyn Brien 

Next week we have Bob Prater from Youth Directions as our guest speaker

Community

Not a bad collection for the first week back

Ingrid Gardiner The most important event is the Trivia night on 26 February. Request that each member contribute $20.00 to the Trivia night - please pay Treasurer Peter. Cost is $15.00 per person and tables of eight are available. Please arrange a table if possible.

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Sunday 3 April is the Ocean Swim from 6am at the Jetty Foreshores

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Weekly Meetings: Coffs Harbour Golf Club, Earl Street Coffs Harbour Wednesday Morning 7.00am for 7.15 start

T H E R O TA R Y C L U B O F C O F F S H A R B O U R D AY B R E A K Great Prizes

Presents a Fund Raising

Anything but Trivia(l)

To benefit

Raffles Reap is a regional food rescue toolkit developed by OzHarvest. Reap food rescue connects local food businesses with local charities through local community members for the benefit of people in need.

Location: Coffs Harbour Golf Club When: Friday, 26th February, 2016 Time: 6:30pm for 7 Cost: $15/head Cheese platter included Tables maximum 8 ($120) or join another table Bookings: Direct deposit Rotary Daybreak BSB: 704328 Account:144546 Your ref: your team name Email: [email protected] with your payment date, team name, name and phone number

Phone Bev for further info: 0400022365 Dinner available from the Golf Club after 5pm Sponsored by: