Our “4th Monday” social meeting at the Golden Lion on 28 April was again well attended. We were pleased to welcome four guests: Jane Oakes, George Porter, Paige Anthony – and “birthday boy” Thomas Bwambale (our Rotary scholar). Thomas was surprised later in the meeting with a cake complete with candles!
Following club announcements – sponsored walk, Murder Mystery, President’s Lunch – the evening was mainly given over to a presentation from the club team of five who visted Uganda at the beginning of the year – Paul and Gill Russell, Kordo Saeed and Kordo’s wife Naz and son Zephan. The team travelled to Kasese on Boxing Day last year, and returned on 12 January.
Paul opened with the article published in the Hampshire Chronicle on the team’s return – written by Zephan, at the suggestion of editor Kimberley Barber. Kordo updated on the health projects – in particular the work at Rukoki Hospital
(recently upgraded from Health Centre to Hospital), which we hope will develop into a major project. He made particular reference to the inspiring young doctor who leads the work.
Kordo also described the one-day conference organsised by himself and Naz in collaboration with GLPC colleagues on anti-microbial resistance. It was extremely well attended, attracting a large number of delegates – doctors, nurses, veterinarians, district officials. A very worthwhile event – see original blog here.
Education projects were covered by Paul – including renovation of school toilets, classroom building and a mobile library (the vehicle for which has recently been fitted out). Gill spoke of the conditions at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp – we had managed to visit it, thanks to the indefatigable Afan Abdallah, of GLPC and Kasese Snow Peaks Rotary, who was our guide and host throughout our stay. Clothes for children and women were much needed, and we were pleased to see some of the items we had brought with us distributed to those in need.
The camp visit also allowed us the opportunity to see how much needed classrooms are – and a grant application has just gone through.
The next visit will take place in mid-June, when Nick Bell, Deborah Macartney, Luke Addison, Jane Oakes and Thomas Bwambale will make the trip. We also very much hope that Afan Abdallah will be visiting Winchester in October/November.
Click here to see slide presentation
