Rotary, in the automotive sense, may conjure such innovations such as the Wankel Engine or other internal combustion engines of the early 20th century, but for the rest of the world, Rotary means goodwill and peace. Rotarians are known to gather weekly for breakfast, lunch or dinner to develop friendships and more importantly, provide an opportunity to serve. Their primary motto is “Service Above Self” and its secondary motto is “One Profits Most Who Serves Best”. Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, to encourage high ethical standards, in all vocations.
The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) welcomed a trifecta of members, from the Rotary Club, Eastern Seaboard (RCES) Pattaya to talk about their activities at their Sunday, September 17, meeting. Current RCES president, Brian J. Songhurst, UK, past RCES president (2011-2013) and current treasurer Carl R. Dyson, UK, and past RCES president (2010-2011) Jan Abbink, Netherlands, joined together to present their efforts. They spoke of Rotary International, in “Making a Difference” and also about efforts of the local RCES in a more micro effort to change people’s lives for the better within the Eastern Seaboard of Southeast Asia. Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard (RCES) meets every Thursday, 5:30 pm, at the Siam Bayshore Hotel. The presentation included the use of photos and video and covered many of the projects they have undertaken.
One is the “Water of Life 24/7 Program”, which has been very successful. This program provides clean drinking water to many schools and families, in villages where the water is not safe. In conjunction with other charity groups, over 14,000 water filters have been distributed throughout Thailand and Laos. The 2-piece water containers remove 99.9999% of bacteria and suspends contaminants into harmless components, while also removing bad taste and smell. The filter is good for up to 20,000 liters of water and if the consumption is 1 liter per day, it will provide clean water for up to 5 years. It works with tap, river, well, pond, or roof water but not sea/salt water.
Another is the “RCES Community Care Project” that helps the local poor with clean water, walking aids for the elderly, children day care, etc. Community projects in Mae Sot, Khon Kaen, Krasang and Pattaya were presented, in which hospital care products and school supply projects were also discussed.
They also supported a new school project and provided new toilets in Nung Sawang, Lao. Pictures of the “old school” were presented, along with the construction of the new toilets and the “new, modern, school”. Pictures of another project at a Middle-School in Laos, originally built in 1993 by the 84th Engineer Battalion of the U.S. Army were shown and discussed.
The “Wrap Up a Child” program, generously supported by many local sponsors, provided blankets and jackets for children in the colder northerly and mountainous regions of Thailand. A group of Rotarians visited the region and created a party with games and toys while distributing the appreciated blankets and jackets.
Their members also took handicapped kids to a “Kids Day Out” event at the Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya. The beach/pool party was a memorable event for both the kids and the adult participants. They also had a “Christmas-Bag Program” where local kids create decorative bags, fill them with pens, pencils, crayons, toys, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. Last year, over 700 Christmas bags were delivered to remote parts of Thailand and Southern Laos.
In a more global aspect, they mentioned the overall activities of Rotary International. A group of over 1.2 million people from all continents get together to form friendships, exchange ideas to make a difference in their neighborhoods and around the world. Over 16 million volunteer hours are expended each year to deliver real, lasting solutions, to thousands of challenges. For over 110 years Rotarians have bridged cultures and connected continents to champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, promote clean water and sanitation, fight disease, save mothers and children and grow local economies.
Rotary International promotes peace by creating understanding across cultures. Adults and young leaders are trained to mediate conflict and to help refugees who have fled dangerous areas. Literacy goals are to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education. Teaching the teachers and mentoring teachers improve global education. They provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene projects to developing countries, with partnerships such as USAID International, H2O Collaboration, WASH, etc. The positive influence on communities and to policy makers, to solve seemingly unsolvable problems, brings about lasting changes.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for over 30 years. The goal is to rid earth of this disease, once and forever. Today, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic. Partnered with people such as Bill and Melinda Gates and others, over $1.3 billion has been pledged to end polio. They know that disease does not prevent itself, so Rotarians educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases. Rotary members have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time.
Rotary clubs around the world are working to raise awareness, prevention and victim support for mothers and children subject to violence by intimate partners. Rotary International expands access to quality medical care, sanitation, education and economic opportunities, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
After the presentation, MC Roy Albiston brought everyone up to date on upcoming events. This was followed by the “Open Forum” portion of the meeting, where questions are asked and answered and comments made about expat living in Thailand. For more information on the Club and their activities, visit www.pcec.club. Anyone interested in joining Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard (RCES) can contact: [email protected].
