In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand In Gear - Issue 3 | Page 61

District 9980 Rotarians
embarked on a very special
trip to India in February,
soaking up a rich cultural
experience, and also the
chance to check in on a new
hospital build that holds
deep significance to our
area.
“The end result was a joint
grant, totalling more than
$115,000, from Waimate
Rotary, District 9980, the
Rotary clubs of Vapi and
Sarigam and the Rotary
Foundation being put into
this very valuable initiative
that will provide free
healthcare for the most
vulnerable.
SEEDS OF SUPPORT SOWN
IN ALUMNI FRIENDSHIP
Rotary Club of Waimate
president Ailsa McKenzie,
tour leader and past-district
“With the funds raised,
governor Ewan McKenzie
we’ve been able to fully
Artist’s impression of the new Sarigam Hospital.
and secretary Pauline Dore
equip the hospital’s
were among a group of 12 District 9980ers from their
laboratory and buy a state-of-the-art x-ray machine.”
club, Timaru and Balclutha who made the journey,
The New Zealand Rotarians found phase one of the
together with one non-Rotarian.
hospital’s ground floor, which was officially opened
The trip highlight, says Pauline, was visiting the new
recently, all but complete when they were given a
Sarigam Hospital, which has been supported by the
special tour by our Indian counterparts.
Rotary Club of Waimate and District 9980 through the
“It was very humbling to be officially welcomed by the
Rotary Foundation’s global grant programme.
Rotary Sarigam Hospital trustees and other Rotarians.”
A Rotary Club of Sarigam initiative, the hospital will
Further donations are needed, Pauline says, to fund
provide free medical treatment to the poor within a
the construction of the remaining floors and other
40km radius.
facilities, including a planned nursing college.
District 9980’s contribution is a classic example of
“The hospital is still to have two more floors added,
Rotary relationships and collaboration in action, says
which give s other clubs a golden opportunity to get
Pauline. The seeds of Kiwi Rotarians’ involvement
together and use the power of Rotary to make a
were sown six years ago when Waimate veterinarian
difference.
Ryan Luckman took part in a Group Study Exchange to
“We owe a very big thank you to Ryan for being the
India, forging a friendship with Dr Ashish Arekar, of the
initiator and making this project happen,” she says.
Sarigam Rotary Club.
“On returning from the exchange, Ryan joined the
Rotary Club of Waimate, and went on to serve as
International director. He approached Ashish to see if
we could help in some way with the Sarigam Hospital.
“It demonstrates the many corridors of Rotary that
can open to change lives in communities and develop
lifelong friendships – it’s been a truly wonderful way for
us to celebrate 100 years of the Rotary Foundation.”
District 9980 Rotarians take in the sights during their trip to India.
Page 61
61
Page