International Projects

The mission of Swim Vietnam is to cooperate with local and national governments in training methods for swimming and water safety to reduce drowning rates. It aims to train Vietnamese people as swim teachers and educators to bring swimming and water safety programs to their communities. This program, which imparts the 'a skill for life to save a life' message, is a recipient of Karrinyup Rotary's International service funding. Club members Jenni Wilke and Jane Wake were part of a group that visited Vietnam last November to view first hand the wonderful results, which have been achieved. A copy of the 2024 Annual Report was received recently.

Karrinyup Rotary contributes to the Borderless Friendship Foundation WA (BFF WA), a Perth based not-for-profit organisation, which supports children in hostels in the Hilltribe region of Thailand. Recently Karrinyup Rotarians Sandra, Jane and Jenni, seen here with Lorel from BFF WA, made a ‘hands on’ visit to this International Service project. They reported back to the club on their amazing experience. There are 380 hill tribe children in BFF’s care. In addition to club support, several club members have chosen to sponsor an individual child. Read how you could too.

The Zambia Water Project has now provided clean drinking water for a school of some eighty orphaned and vulnerable children under the support of Arising Life Ministries in Ndola, Zambia. Read the latest newsletter from A Future 4 Our Kids where Karrinyup Rotary's support is featured. Much of what is being achieved in Zambia is because of the water Karrinyup Rotary is providing. The social dividend from our support over the years is immense. The work is ongoing and will be assisted by a Rotary Global Grant.

This is the remarkable journey toward achieving sustainable water security for vulnerable children in Ndola, Zambia. Access to clean and reliable water is a lifeline for the children and families, who depend on Arising Life Ministries (ALMS). This incredible organisation is dedicated to providing education, nutrition, and support to those in need. The efforts to secure water resources have played a pivotal role. Through innovative projects, community collaboration, and the unwavering commitment of supporters, it strives to ensure that every child at ALMS has access to safe water.

Karrinyup Rotary's International Service team supports Swim Vietnam, whose mission is train Vietnamese people teachers and educators to bring swimming and water safety programs to their communities. Club members Jenni Wilke and Jane Wake are active with Australian Friends for Life, a group of volunteers, who provide practical and financial support for Swim Vietnam. Recently, the group visited Vietnam to view first hand the wonderful results, which have been achieved. Jenni and Jane shared their experience.

Mike Murphy introduced exercise physiologist, open water swimmer and public speaker Ceinwen Roberts, head coach and co-founder of Positive Swim Squad. The 'Bears of Brine' are nine Perth swimmers, all members of the Positive Swim Squad, who spend countless hours preparing for solo ultra marathon swims. Recently, they took on the English and Bristol channels in a bid to fund raise for a five-classroom school and toilet block in Lombok, Indonesia, through the charity Classroom of Hope, a new recipient of Karrinyup Rotary's International funding this Rotary year.

We are excited this week for our friends at Wheelchairs for Kids and Scarborough Rotary, as they complete 60,000 wheelchairs. An amazing accomplishment for a small home grown West Australian charity! For most of the twenty six years of Wheelchairs for Kids, Karrinyup Rotary has supported this fabulous International project, which has had a huge impact and changed the lives of children the world over. Read more and listen to a radio interview with project team leader Br Olly Pickett.

International Director Sandra McGuire introduced the Guest Speakers Duy Nhu Nguyen and Cam Nhu, from Swim Vietnam, a recipient of Karrinyup Rotary International funding. Duy and Cam provided an update on the work and changes, which Swim Vietnam has implemented during the past year. They thanked RC Karrinyup and RC Wanneroo for their generous support, which will greatly assist in giving Vietnamese children a skill that could save their lives.

The Zambia Water Project, conducted over the past ten years, has now provided clean drinking water for a school of some eighty orphaned and vulnerable children under the support of Arising Life Ministries in Ndola, Zambia. Read the latest newsletter from A Future 4 Our Kids. Much of what is being achieved in Zambia is because of the water Karrinyup Rotary is providing – that is why this is such an important project for our Club. The social dividend from our support over the last ten years is immense. The work is ongoing and will be assisted by a Rotary Global Grant.

Stellar Child Care Organisation (SCCO) develops sustainable education and employment opportunities in Cambodia. It supports poverty-stricken families in Andong, a displaced community near Phnom Penh. The focus is on practical projects, that provide long-term, sustainable solutions in education, family support and income generation. One such project is vocational training of young men and women. RC Karrinyup International service team is working with SCCO to support to train up to ten young men and women each year.

Students at Churchlands SHS are engaged in community services projects. Recently the school donated to our community service team's SOS for items of winter clothing. Among donations received from the students and the school were beautiful knitted teddies and blankets. International Director Sandra delivered these to the delighted volunteers, who organise the toys and blankets to go with each wheelchair donated from RC Scarborough's Wheelchairs For Kids.

RC Karrinyup recently paid a visit to the Bicycles 4 Humanity (B4H) new workshop in Midvale. This came shortly after their nineteenth container of bikes left Fremantle for delivery to Bicycle Empowerment Centre bike shops across northern Namibia. BWH work with Bicycle Empowerment Network Namibia to provide in country support and distribution. B4H WA has now sent 7,000 bikes to Africa. The 406 bikes in the latest shipment will be shared between eight bike workshops. As part of our International Service, RC Karrinyup has provided financial support to assist B4H achieve their impressive milestones.

International Director Ken Foggo introduced Wilma McBain from ROMAC – Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children. ROMAC is a not-for-profit humanitarian organisation managed and operated entirely by volunteers. It is a combined Australia and New Zealand Rotary project, which provides medical treatment to children from developing countries in the form of life saving or dignity restoring surgery, which would not be available to them in their home countries.

The Rotary Club of Karrinyup also provides significant financial support to:

• Rotary Interplast Australia
• Southern Cross Kenya Aid to Educate
• Rotary Wheelchairs for Kids
• Zimbabwe African Outreach Project.

Rotary Foundation - our club has a proud record of significant contributions to The Rotary International and world Foundation projects such as Polio Eradication. 

The Zambia Water Project involved scoping and drilling a bore to sufficient depth and installation of a pump and water tank.  This has now provided clean drinking water for the school of some eighty orphaned and vulnerable children under the support of Arising Life Ministries in Ndola, Zambia as well as to the community of the Kaloko area.