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Rob hosted today's all-Zoom meeting, welcoming 11 other members and a guest speaker, Larry Hohler, Co-President of Hope Children's Fund, LTD. Mike S. obtained Rob's permission to sign a new contract with Danford's so that further planning and preparation for our Golf Outing can go forward. Meanwhile, club members, please consider how you can help and what contribution in the way of auction items you can offer. Cindy reported on the first of two RYLA weekends. It was a totally exhausting/enlightening experience for her. She spent (too) much time working in the kitchen all weekend but did get to attend a grant-writing session that encouraged her to want to seek Rotary grants for favorite projects. Cindy noted that the RYLA summer program has been shortened to a 10-11 day activity and will cost $1,200 per camper. She surmises that we could sponsor (pay for) two local students to attend the camp. Cindy met many wonderful people this past weekend including a fellow named Raj from the Riverhead Rotary Club who asked that we advertise to our members & friends the Annual Riverhead Rotary Garden Festival, which will take place from May 4th thru May 10th- an outdoor event held behind the Tanger Mall. Since Cindy will not be at the next RYLA weekend, Dennis will fill in for her a bit. Rebecca was a speaker on Saturday and had a lovely time. (Cindy says that the audience was gushing about her presentation.) There will be a RYLA meeting tonight at 5 PM, which Rebecca will try to attend. Pat announced that the Sunday, April 25th Chandler Estate Cleanup may have to be canceled if the rain that has been predicted for that day actually takes place. He will let us know in advance if this activity must be called off. Rob reported that the Raffle Tickets have been printed and will be distributed soon. The Raffle Drawing will take place on August 3rd. Nancy noted that she has just received the Sergeant's Report re. fines/Happy Dollars needing to be collected from members, and she will be sending out bills soon. Today's speaker, Larry Hohler, showed a series of photos to illustrate his history with Meru, Kenya that began in 1976, when on sabbatical leave from Smithtown Central School District, he found himself teaching students in a rural secondary school there. At that school, he formed what turned out to be a life-long friendship with a special student, Joseph Kirima. As an adult, Joseph, now a teacher/headmaster/union and church leader (at the height if the AIDS pandemic in Kenya) proposed an idea that eventually led to the founding of the Hope Children's Fund (HCF) in 2002, to support the creation of an orphanage, the Jerusha Mwiraria Hope Children's Home, on the outskirts of Meru Town. This home on a hill-top- a 3 story dormitory situated next to a former church building transformed into a kitchen/dining/recreation hall- opened its doors in 2005 to the first group of 18 AIDS-affected youngsters rescued from lives as "street children". Today, 96 children are being fed, clothed, sheltered, and afforded medical care, enabling them to be enrolled in local schools: the beginning of a path to productive adulthood. Larry told of the mission trips organized each year (until Covid) to bring adults and youngsters from the USA to Meru to meet and work with the Home's residents and staff. He next spoke of HCF's Mentorship Program, a fundraising resource that is also meant to link Kenyan youngsters with American youth- mostly, these days via the internet. He showed photos of 2 of the original Home residents, Elosy, now a 23 year old mother who raises chickens for a living, and Kelvin, a 25 year old Physician's Assistant who has just opened his own medical clinic. He explained that the Home has had many successes with the youth raised there, but also a few failures. Larry noted that the Smithtown School District and many former colleagues as well as graduates of Shoreham-Wading River's Global Club program continue to provide firm support for the Home. He then spoke of the Home's dependence on its farm that grows maize, beans, onions, yams, and other such staples for its own use and for sale to others, and provided a photo of a milling machine, the gift of a US donor, used to help the Home move towards self-sustainability. Lastly, Larry spoke about HCF's upcoming fundraiser, the 4th Annual "Passion for Education Gala" (see the announcement under NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS) and invited our club members to join Rocky Point Rotary, an event sponsor, to attend and enjoy the festivities. To learn more, check out the website hopechildrensfund.org . Debbie performed the duties of Sergeant admirably, raising more funds through fines and Happy Dollars. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DENNIS & KATHLEEN! |
