GUEST SPEAKER: STEVE RUTLEDGE – ADOPT A VILLAGE – LAOS
Introduced by Dave Andrews, Steve is a member of the Whitby Sunrise Rotary Club. He is a very active volunteer, now retired, spends 4 months in LAOS. Recipient of two Port Hope Civic Awards, the most recent in 2011 for Philanthropy, is a recipient of two Paul Harris Awards and The Spirit of Rotary Awarded the Bob Scott Disease Prevention Award
Guest Speaker: Steve provided an update on his 2022-23 visit - his first visit to LAOS since covid! He has been dedicated to this project for 14 years! This was a unique year, many problems !
transportation; trucks broke down several times
hottest temperatures ever, 75 degrees in the daytime but very cold in mountains at 8 degrees C
However, over 200 coats were donated and we were able to see big smiles on children’s faces on the video Steve was playing
They built 5 km of trenching that was required to build a dam
So far through Adopt A Village Laos, Water filters have been delivered to 80 villages, and 38,000 people now have clean water
There was a toilet shortage at one of the schools. So they built retaining walls and then the toilets were installed. There was a shortage of space for this very necessary necessity
UNESCO heritage sight, beautiful but heavily bombed
Steve has hired two assistants as this is an enormous project
Big party at end of journey, students dancing and lots of food; Steve advises volunteers to only eat what he eats!
Next year, 4 projects including more toilets!
For more info, be sure to see: https://aavil.org and https://adoptavillageinlaos.wordpress.com
Did you know that for $125 Canadian, you can make a donation and provide a filter that will provide clean water to a family of 5? Steve’s email is : srutledge@bell.net
Al Finnigan thanked our Guest Speaker
President Linda closed the meeting at 8:00 pm.
MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER ROTARY EVENTS
JULY 5 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING - AT BILL CREAMER’S HOME
JULY 7, 8 and 9 – Ribfest – Whitby Sunrise – Volunteers still required. Be sure to email Shauna Moore if you can volunteer.
JULY 8 – Rotary Yard Sale – 8 am to 2 pm – in the Parking Lot behind MAK Funeral Home – Note: Donated Items may be dropped off to the trailer in the compound behind Meineke Muffler 162 King St E beginning Saturday June 10th. Contact John Kellam 905 435 6016 to confirm or arrange pickup if necessary. Please, no large furniture items
JULY 11 – Regular Weekly Meeting – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM . Oshawa Golf Club
- Speaker: Shannon Jackson, Exec Director –
Durham Youth Services
(see: https://durhamyouth.com _)
JULY 12 – Fellowship Event – Rotary At The Movies – Cineplex Odeon 7 pm – 1351 Grandview Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1K 0G1. Premiere showing of Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning. Tickets are only $15 pp. Register and pay Dave Andrews ASAP. Dinner at a restaurant is being planned first by Sue – Thank you Sue..
JULY 18 – Regular Weekly Meeting – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM . Oshawa Golf Club
- Speaker: James Meloche, Chief Executive Officer –
Community Care Durham
( see: https://www.communitycaredurham.on.ca )
JULY 20 – Bingo at the Red Barn – 11 AM – Robbie L, Dave P, Ted M, Brady B
JULY 25 – Regular Weekly Meeting – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM .
- NO MEETING AT OSHAWA GOLF CLUB
SPOUSES NIGHT
JULY 29 – Bingo at the Red Barn – 11 AM – Hilda F, Lennis T , Dave A, Ted M
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP: Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Sue MacKinnon, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.