Volume 52, Number 3                                                                             July 17, 2008

 

Rotary Club of  Toronto West

 

Rotary Grace – O Lord we stand for every race, from every creed from every place; to give our thanks and say our grace for food, for health. May Peace embrace the world through Rotary.

 

Last Week – July 10, 2008

            It was a pleasure to have one of our past members, Rev. Walter McIntyre speak to us and introduce our guest speaker Dr. Mohamed Gilao. They both spoke on the subject of the Dayniile General Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia.

            The Rev. Walter spoke first thanking us for our donation to support the hospital in the year 2004. Our donation in part allowed the building of an operating theatre. The construction of the operating theatre led to the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) which was to install a large well.

            The hospital grew, and was managed by a group of Somali business women.

            As troubles (fighting) increased, the people of Mogadishu fled their homes and gathered into refugee camps near the hospital. The U.N. presently feeds 300,000 refugees.

            In 2007, Doctors Without Borders were invited to help at the hospital. Dr. Mohamed Gilao visited the hospital in May 2008 to get an up-date on the condition there. The hospital serves as many as 22,000 people, and it played its part in the eradication of polio.

            Dr. Gilao then spoke, telling us of what he had seen during his latest trip to the hospital. At one time Mogdishu had 6 hospitals, but now they are down to one. The water shortage in the area is one of their main problems, and this is being dealt with.

            We heard about the political problems that exist in the country, with thousands of refugees that have to be dealt with, and how the hospital has a big problem in dealing with such large numbers.

            Dealing with the children is a mammoth problem, as they get split from their families. Roads in that area are almost non-existent and travel is very difficult, allocating food, and what little water there is, is also very difficult.

            Efforts are continuing to improve conditions at the hospital, any funds they receive are from private donations.

            Susan McCoy thanked both Rev. Walter and Dr. Mohamed saying how nice it was to see Rev. Walter back with us, and to have the both of them up-date us on a project that we have been involved with for many years. She wished them well on their future efforts to improve conditions in Mogadishu.

 

50/50 Draw

            Our guest visitor the Rev. Walter McIntyre drew the lucky card, but the Joker still lives. It is getting very close now.

 

Visitors

            The Rev. Walter McIntyre, a guest and past member of our club. Dr. Mohamed Gilao our guest speaker. Faisal Nageyi, a guest of the club.

 

This Week

            We have the pleasure of having the official visit of our District Governor Mike Phelan. DG Mike will review our plans for this year, and he will talk to us about his and the district plans for his year as District Governor.

 

Classifications

1.         Retail Florist.

2.         Director of Education.

 

Annual Dues

            For those that haven’t yet submitted their dues. Mark Dawber would like to have them as soon as possible.

 

IFGR

            Mark Dawber gave a report on the recent International Fellowship of Golfing for Rotarians, recently held in Niagara. It was a very satisfactory function and very well represented internationally.

 

Birthdays & Anniversaries

            Wedding Anniv. – Doug & Jo Anne Williams – July 11th.

            Joined Rotary – Brian Hicks – July 14th.

 

Next Meeting July 24, 2008

            Our Annual Golf Tournament,  is being held at the Lakeview Golf Club.

            There will not be a morning meeting that day.

 

Dates to Remember

            Sept. 12th. – Scotch Nosing and Noshing.

            Oct. 24, 25, & 26th. The 2008 District 7070 Conference at Deerhurst Resort.

            Jan. 30th. 2009, Friday. The 10th. Annual Youth Impact Awards Banquet.

 

Spoke Joke

            At a pre-birth class aimed at couples that already had one child, the instructor raised the issue of breaking the news to the older child.

            “Some parents,” she said, “tell the older child, “We love you so much, we decided to bring another child into this family.” But think about that. Ladies, what if your husband came home and said, “Honey, I love you so much, I decided to bring home another wife.”

            “Does she cook?” one of the women immediately asked.

 

How You Can Enjoy Rotary

·        BY engaging in the fellowship of our club.

·        BY wearing your Rotary lapel button, and letting people know that you are part of the greatest service organization in the world.

·        BY serving on the club’s committees and agreeing to be on the board and become a club officer.

·        BY making sure that your attendance meets Rotary International requirements.

·        BY making up at other clubs, when you are unable to attend your own club meeting.

·        BY sharing Rotary with a friend or business associate.

·        BY making your community a better place in which to live, work and raise a family.

·        BY reaching across national boundaries to ensure world peace and understanding.

·        BY simply being a better Rotarian.

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