Rotarians hear Bolivia project

(CNS): Lizzy Haines, daughter of Rotary Club of Grand Cayman President Derek Haines, recently spoke to the club about her experience on a literacy project in Bolivia. Lizzy, a medical student, was the interpreter for the team from the University of Bristol in the UK that traveled to Bolivia in July. The students raised US$25,000 in sponsorship for the venture through their UK registered charity ‘Challenge Bolivia’ (www.challengebolivia.com).

All funds went to the project as the team members travel was self funded, a release from Rotary said. The challenge segment of the trip was to climb five 6000m peak in the Bolivian Andes in just five days. Four were mastered, with the fifth peak deemed too dangerous due to winds and snow just as the team was about to make the summit.

On the literacy segment of the challenge, the team visited 16 schools and almost 1,000 students. “We were able to provide backpacks that containeda tracksuit, hat, gloves, socks, towel, sanitation supplies, pens, pencils, and a geometry set to each student”, said Haines. “Each school received textbooks, dictionaries, song books, footballs, basketballs, an air pump and educational posters”. The area of distribution was very remote, with some areas impassible by off road vehicles and in some instances the teachers had to come to the team.

“The goals of Rotary International this year include reducing child mortality and improving literacy,” said Present Derek. “I am proud of the achievement of my daughter and her fellow students, and for her being involved in community work at this level. This is the prefect example of our Rotary Motto ‘Service Above Self’.”

In other Rotary news, President Derek Haines of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman recently inducted two new members into the club.

Dr Grey Hoeksema was sponsored into the club by Rotarian Dr. Ajit Ambekar. Dr. Hoeksema is the Medical Director of the Health Service Authority of the Cayman Islands. Prior to jointing the HSA he had a distinguished career with the US Navy, retiring with the rank of Captain. He has served with the US Naval facilities worldwide, concluding his service as the Chief Operating Officer at the Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. He is board certified in sports and family medicine. .

Cameron Rasmussen was sponsored into the club by Rotarian Lorna Hampson. Cameron is a consultant with the DMS organization and is from Sacramento, CA, and previously worked in the financial service sector. Both Greg and Cameron look forward to Rotary service as members of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman.

The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman was the first service club in the Cayman Islands, receiving its charter on January 28th, 1966, having been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Boston, the seventh oldest club in the world. The club is part of Rotary district 7020 which now encompasses 57 clubs, which is part of Zone 34. The Club has sponsored the Rotary Club of Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman Central and the Sunrise Club which received their charters in 1981, 1986 and 2002 respectively, and has provided 4 District Governors.

Major projects of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman have included the construction of the Bonaventure Boys Home and the Frances Bodden Girls Home, and major annual events organized by the club include the Senior Citizens Party, downtown Christmas Tree Lighting, and active participation in Batabanoo which was originally started by the Club, and the Meals on Wheels programme which was started and continues to be actively supported by the Club. With approximately 100 members, the membership of the Club is a fair representation of the business community in Cayman with members ranging in age from their 20’s to their 80’s.