Convention Commitment Fulfilled
Karrinyup Rotary’s delegation to the Rotary International Convention held in Melbourne in June was inspired by a call to action from EndTrachoma. Public Health personnel in Kalgoorlie had requested support from Rotary to provide three hundred hygiene kits, to promote health education and hygiene among children in Goldfields communities. Education in hygiene practices is critical in avoiding trachoma, which is prevalent in the area.
The Karrinyup team took up the challenge and set upon a course of action. Team leader Sandra McGuire recruited assistants and promoted the project at the Stirling Farmers Market, which is administered by Karrinyup Rotary, inspiring the local community to come on board.
The club provided funding but there were also donations of fabric, hours of sewing by volunteers, and others to organise and pack the bags, as well as donations of cash and goodies to go in the bags.. A team of volunteers worked hard and fast to get the first shipment of one hundred bags ready to go in record time.
The club sourced support to cover the cost of transporting the finished bags to Kalgoorlie, where they arrived at the end of July. The Karrinyup Rotary Club received messages of appreciation for their generosity and assistance in helping the Goldfields Trachoma Team to deliver their program to at risk communities. That program is designed to decrease the risk of trachoma and other preventable infections. Primary school children will receive the hygiene kits during health promotion activities.
Plans are underway to provide further hygiene kits. Contributions from clubs or individuals would be most welcome. Please contact Sandra McGuire.
