December 2008
H.HRG #4
Welcome
to the “Things We Do” Health and Hunger
Resource Group December Newsletter.
We primarily encourage support of Our
Rotary Foundation and Polio Eradication.
This edition features an article presented
by PDG Prof. Dr. Robert Zinser focussing
on “what Rotarians can do to address
child health”. It is important to be aware
of successful projects, partnerships and
some inexpensive solutions.
We report good progress with “your herd”
and Matching Grants for “Birth Kits” which
you can easily join, at this time of giving.
Please promote these opportunities to
your clubs and friends to help “build a
healthier, more peaceful world”.
Heather Yarker Chuck Kurtzman
General Coordinator Assistant
yarkerhi@onthenet.com.au General Coordinator
c.kurtzman@ourblooddrive.org
Contents:
2. Continue Building Your Herd
3. Global Network for Blood Donation
4. What Rotarians can do to address child health
9. Suggested Health Hunger Activities
10. Foundation Matching Grant—Birth Kits
11. Learn — Grow. Plant nutrition
12. Area Coordinator Mark Doyle
12. Brad Howard. 9 N.I.D’s to Africa
13. Medical Mission to Niarobi
14. Area Coordinator Luiz Coelho de Oliveira
Latin America report
THINGS YOU CAN DO
A compilation of Rotarian Action Groups
Click here www.crmrotary.org.au/docs/Things_You_Can_Do.pdf
Reducing Child Mortality
RI President Dong Kurn Lee addressed government and
civic leaders during a September forum convened by
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in New York.
At the event, attended by top government and civic
leaders, President Lee praised the 20-year partnership
between Rotary and the United Nations in fighting polio
and reaffirmed Rotary's commitment to working with the UN to eradicate polio and
build a healthier, more peaceful world.
"We have brought the world closer to the end of a disease and to the achievement of
the fourth Millennium Development Goal: reducing child mortality," .... "We have
created partnerships that will endure and will yield benefits far beyond the elimination
of one disease."
Take a comprehensive approach
The best and sustainable way to combat Child and Maternal Mortality is through a
“comprehensive approach” in close cooperation with the government, with hospitals
and other stakeholders active in this field and in the same target area.
Rotary, including leaders in all professions like gynaecologists, managers,
organizers, accountants can shoulder such a comprehensive approach…
But each single and simple intervention to reduce child
mortality is a contribution which every club can make.
Giving birth in a safe, professional environment should no
longer be a privilege for the rich‐‐‐it is a right all
women should enjoy.”
Prof. Dr. Robert Zinser
Rotary received ‘royal recognition’ by the Emir of Zaria in particular for this project..
“There is no task more noble than to
give a child a better future.” Anon.
Give Blood. Give a Heifer, a goat or chickens. Give to a birthing kit project.
Give some of your talent, encourage others to give some of their talent.
Give some of your time and a little of your treasure.
Ibqqz!Gftujwf!Tfbtpo Make Dreams Real
Continue to build your Herd H.HRG #4 2008 Page 2

Congratulations Rotarians - already $13,000

Tfbtpot!Hsffujoht!!
Dear Rotarians ,
! Hunger and poverty is the single greatest challenge to peace in our world.
Hjwf!up!Ifjgfs!Gpvoebujpo!boe!tfmfdu!b! Heifer has long known that when people are poor, hungry and desperate
they have to fight for their survival. But when alternatives to fighting are
hsffujoh!dbse/! available, these same people have a chance to enjoy a stable and
promising future.
Tfoe!b!nfttbhf!up!mpwfe!poft!bewjtjoh!
Through gifts of livestock and training, Heifer is making a difference in
uifn!zpv!ibwf!hjwfo!jo!uifjs!obnf/! places like Rwanda, Haiti and Cambodia, whose histories are punctuated
with conflict. Here, we are providing more than just a way for communities
! to lift themselves out of poverty; our sustainable approach offers peace
and, most importantly, a chance at that promising future.
Lopx!uibu!zpv!ibwf!hjwfo!up!nblf!uif! Yours for a better world,
xpsme!b!cfuufs!qmbdf/! Ashley Michael.
Heifer International

This is a wonderful opportunity The following gifts will Make Dreams Real.
that is easy, fun and gives hope 10 to 50 chickens $20
to those in need. Please select 1 beehive $30
from the pictures and build your Flock of ducks $20
own virtual District or Club herd. 3 Rabbits $60
Trees $60
• Thank a guest speaker by 1 Goat $120
advising that the club will select an
1 Pig $120
appropriate gift of Hope in there
honour. 1 Llama $150
1 Water Buffalo $250
• When a club member celebrates 1 Heifer $500
an achievement, birthday, anniversary
they could select a gift which gives Payment Note;
Hope. Payment by electronic transfer or credit card will enable
Heifer International to record the “Rotarian World Herd”
• Give as a family gift at Please be sure to identify your Rotary club / district on
Christmas time. the second page of the order form. Choose “Other
Organization” then fill the Name of Organization field with
Go to the Heifer International gift page. “Rotarian … your name”, or “Rotary Club of…” or “Rotary
www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/ District xxxx”
b.204586/
Nblf!zpvs!Cjsuiebz-!Disjtunbt!ps!
Heifer International has many answers. Dmvc!hjgu!lopxo!cz!tfmfdujoh!b!hjgu!dbse!
Visit them on www.heifer.org
boe!qfstpobmj{joh!ju!vtjoh!uif!Ifjgfs!
Print this page as your promotional brochure
Joufsobujpobm!Hjgu!Dbse!tztufn/!
 Global Network for Blood Donation A Rotarian Action Group
Four hours from now…
She may be your daughter; he may be your son – four
hours from now any us may be in need of a transfusion.
Our systems of healthcare are based upon the premise
that adequate and safe supplies of blood will be
available when and where needed and that we have the
infrastructure to collect, test, store, and distribute blood
and its components.
In developing countries, about two-thirds of the blood
supply is needed for young children and maternal care.
Around the world, transfusions help save the lives of
those with malaria, leukemia patients, those stricken with
anaemia, accident victims.
Volunteer blood donors are the key to saving these lives.
H.HRG #4 2008 Page 3
Rotarians roll up their sleeves and provide over 1% of
the world’s blood supply. We help our blood centers as
volunteers, we provide technology and education.
Tomorrow morning…
You could be donating blood at your community blood
center
Next month…
Your Rotary Club could be hosting a community blood
drive
Right now…
You can make a phone call to your community blood
center to schedule a donation, organize a
drive, volunteer your time and talent.
Contact Chuck Kurtzman, Vice ‐President and
Co‐Founder. c.kurtzman@ourblooddrive.org

Introduction
In the Breakout Session on June 17,
2008 of Rotary International
Convention in Los Angeles, the
Rotarian Action Group for Population
Growth & Sustainable Development
(RFPD) presented project proposals
to tackle child mortality, the new RI
presidential emphasis.
Child Mortality is a complex problem.
It is linked with maternal mortality,
where the world community hardly
achieved any progress during the last
decades. In child mortality however,
there has been some progress during
recent times.
The best and sustainable way to
combat Child and Maternal Mortality
is through a “comprehensive
approach” in close cooperation with
the government, with
hospitals and other
The Countdown to 2015 tracks coverage of essential interventions which have been proven to
stakeholders active in this reduce mortality among mothers, newborns and children to measure progress made by
field and in the same target countries towards the achievement of the health MDGs. See www.countdown2015mnch.org/
area.
Rotary, including leaders in
all professions like
gynaecologists, managers,
organizers, accountants can
shoulder such a
comprehensive approach as
we point out below.
But each single simple
intervention to reduce child
RI PRESIDENT D. K. LEE HAS CHALLENGED
ROTARIANS WORLD WIDE
H.HRG #4 2008 Page 4
TO HELP REDUCE CHILDHOOD MORTALITY
WHAT ROTARIANS CAN DO TO
ADDRESS CHILD HEALTH
mortality is a contribution every club At the United Nations General
can make. Assembly in September 2008, the
leaders spoke up about the world
Partnering with professional tragedy that 6 million children, 4
organizations which deal with this million newborns, and 530,000
subject is advisable. There are many mothers die each year from largely
organizations which clubs and preventable causes.
districts can contact to seek advice
locally, such as World Health Leaders stood up and made
Organization (WHO), United Nations commitments to new and renewed
Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United action and funding to improve
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), maternal, newborn and child health
and not least The Partnership for and help the world achieve
Maternal, Newborn & Child Health Millennium Development Goals 4 & 5
(PMNCH). ‐ the two goals which strive to
reduce child and maternal mortality.
The Challenge of the new
emphasis on “Child Mortality” These MDGs call on countries to
Our RI President D.K. Lee has to be reduce by two thirds the mortality
commended for taking up the rate among children under five, and
‘Reduction of child mortality’ as this to reduce the maternal mortality ratio
Nr. 4 Millennium Development Goal by three quarters by the year 2015.
(MDG) being one of the most
important. The other one is Nr. 5 The third health MDG aims to combat
MDG “Improvement of Maternal HIV/AIDS, malaria and other
Health”. RI President D.K. Lee diseases including tuberculosis.
repeatedly emphasizes that Rotary
International partners also committed
contributes to the MDGs.
to the Countdown 2015 for Maternal,
Newborn and Child Survival initiative
There are new commitments for
that focuses on 68 countries which
maternal, newborn & child health
together account for 97% of
made by the United Nations.
maternal, newborn and child deaths.
 (Dr. Francisco Songane Four Districts
will again advise us how (Germany, Austria,
best to combat child and Nigeria) and 60 H.HRG #4 2008 Page 5
maternal mortality when German Clubs from 7 other Districts
he will present at the RI
as well as 1 Rotaract Club, 15 Inner
Membership & Child
Mortality Presidential Wheel Clubs and 1 Rotary club from
Conference 6‐7 France, Great Britain and The
February 2009, Egypt in Netherlands joined this Matching
Cairo February 5‐7, Grant ‐Project implemented by
2009) District 9120 Nigeria.

The project with an amount of 1

The Partnership for Maternal, RFPD’s Model of a Comprehensive
Million Euro was co‐funded by
Newborn & Child Health Approach to Reduce Child and
The Rotary Foundation,
Maternal Mortality for replication
Our Rotarian Action Group for
Population Growth and Sustainable AVENTIS Foundation and the
jointly by districts or several clubs
Development (RFPD) is a member of together German Government. Rotary
The Partnership for Maternal, Satellite projects, large
Newborn & Child Health. District 9120 and their donations‐in‐kind and
communities in 2004 requested cooperation with stakeholders
The Partnership is a global health help to fight fistula and to increases this amount and the
partnership launched in September
reduce maternal mortality. effect of this project.
2005; This organization joins the
maternal, newborn and child health
Rotarian Action Group for Population Rotarian Action Group for Population
communities into an alliance of
Growth & Sustainable Development Growth & Sustainable Development
almost 260 members to ensure that
(RFPD) advised the host district and presented the project at the
all women, infants and children not
international partner clubs to take a International ‘Women deliver’
only remain healthy, but thrive.
“comprehensive approach” as we conference in October 2007 in
learned that between 1990 and 2005 London.
The Partnership Secretariat is hosted
the mortality rates fell at less than 1% The Ministers and their
by WHO, Geneva. The Executive
per year although the world representatives who gathered there
Director of The Partnership, Dr.
community agreed on a “Safe encouraged us to continue as their
Francesco Songane, former Health
Motherhood” Initiative in 1987. resolution stated child and maternal
Minister of Mozambique, presented
in our breakout session at the RI mortality should best be tackled in a
As mentioned Improving maternal “comprehensive approach and in a
convention 2008.
and child health is a complex matter, concerted effort with stakeholders as
hence a comprehensive approach nobody can do‐it‐alone”.
He states in impressive words, below
will bring more progress.
“By saving women, we save not only a mother—but for functioning health systems.
perhaps, the whole family. Maternal and child mortality indicators (including the
The mother is the central figure in maintaining the healthnewborn) are a mirror of how countries‐‐and all of us
of her family. The newborn’s life is far more secure if the
‐‐commit to improve socioeconomic conditions and
mother is alive, as are the lives of her other young overcome poverty.
children. By saving the lives of half a million women who die each
year from pregnancy‐related causes in developing
In many poor countries, about 60% of all interventions in countries, we also stand to save a significant number of
health centers are related to maternal and child health the 3.3 million stillborn and 4 million newborns who die
care. every year, as well as millions of young children under
If we succeed in properly addressing these problems, we five.
will be making tremendous progress in the consolidation
of services.
Giving birth in a safe, professional
This means that by improving maternal health care in environment should no longer be a privilege
developing countries, we can begin not only to save for the rich‐‐‐it is a right all women
maternal, newborn and child lives, but also set standards should enjoy.”

Prof. Dr. Robert Zinser (left)
Rotary received ‘royal recognition’ by
the Emir of Zaria in particular for this
project.. It is a Model for The Rotary
Foundation’s Future Vision Plan
In this 4‐year‐pilot project which
started in 2005, we focus on two
northern states of Nigeria (Kaduna
and Kano) with a target group of
5,000,000 women.
Our goal is to identify main risk
factors for pregnant women and their
babies and address them through
advocacy and by raising awareness
at the grass roots level. The
elements of our comprehensive
approach include behavior change by
radio serials, training of health
personnel, delivery of medical
equipment and improvement of
quality of structure and process,
distribution of mosquito nets and
delivery kits as well as prevention of
mother‐to‐child transmission of
AIDS (PMTCT).
Two hospitals have been equipped to
serve as Fistula Treatment Centers
where patients receive necessary
reconstructive surgery and post‐
operative care.
1,120 fistula patients have successfully been treated (as of
November 2008), thereof 110 repaired patients have been
rehabilitated and reintegrated into their communities; a part of
them received microcredits.
The project cooperates with many
stakeholders such as Traditional
rulers, Government, NGOs,
Foundations, i.e. the David and
Lucile Packard Foundation.
Additional satellite Rotary projects,
such as education and microcredits
for successfully treated fistula
patients enable them to have their
own income.
Safe water management with
hygiene and sanitation for hospitals
are increasing the project´s lasting
effects in preserving the health of
children and their mothers.
The sophisticated part of our Model
to Reduce Maternal and Fetal
Mortality is Quality assurance by
benchmarking amongst 10 selected
hospitals in two Nigerian states
supervised by the corresponding
university teaching hospital.
Especially this aspect was presented Also such single activities are
by Rotarian Prof. W. Kuenzel, a
member of the German project team, more individual indicators for the
at the International Stillbirth
conference Oslo, November 2008.
Quality goals in
obstetrical service
are:
H.HRG #4 2008 Page 6
Quality of structure
Hospital building, equipment,
number of staff, service level .
Quality of process
Trained and experienced
personnel and professional
performance
Quality of outcome
Maternal and fetal morbidity
and mortality
We encourage districts and clubs
jointly to replicate this pilot project.
Such a comprehensive approach to
reduce child and maternal mortality
will demand a few hundred thousand
US Dollar.
But together with a Foundation
Matching Grant or even 3-H grant for
such an exemplary project funds
from other sources can be gained as
we successfully managed.
One replication is already under
study. Many more should follow.
RFPD is ready to give advice.
Single interventions to combat
child mortality
Proposals for club projects ‐
Also single interventions to reduce
child mortality make sense as even
our ‘comprehensive approach’ exists
of many single partly small
interventions.
measurable by following up one or
success of the intervention; see
indicators for the corresponding
proposal below.
In District 9120 clubs of Rotary,
Rotaract and Inner Wheel contribute
to the comprehensive approach with
single interventions.

OBSTETRIC FISTULA IS AN INJURY OF CHILDBEARING. IT OCCUIRS WHEN A WOMAN ENDURES

OBSTRUCTED LABOUR WITHOUT APPROPRIATE MEDICAL INTERVENTION. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE:
THE BABY USUALLY DIES, AND THE WOMAN IS LEFT WITH CHRONIC INCONTINENCE THE TRAGEDY
OCCURS BECAUSE THE SUSTAINED PRESSURE OF THE BABY’S HEAD ON THE MOTHER’S BLADDER OR
RECTUM DAMAGES SOFT TISSUES CREATING A HOLE ‐OR FISTULA‐ THAT LEAVES THE
WOMAN UNABLE TO CONTROL HER FLOW OF URINE, OR FAECES, OR BOTH.
 Main categories in which Rotary clubs can implement in communities
such individual interventions to contribute to the reduction of child
mortality with Matching or 3‐H Grants: H.HRG #4 2008 Page 7

with a vow to keep themselves free INDICATOR: Number of children

1. Advocacy / Public of diarrhea and pneumonia ‐ two educated in hand washing, Reports
Awareness / Behaviour major killers of children spread of hospitals and TBAs on number of
change mainly via dirty hands. diarrhea cases.

► Awareness campaign for
breastfeeding.
Clubs can contribute to reduce
deaths caused by lacking of
breastfeeding by organizing relevant
campaigns. With breastfeeding
1,300,000 deaths could be
prevented. INDICATORS: Number of
pregnant women or mothers who
attended such campaigns.
Traditional Birth Attendants reporting
on increase of breastfeeding.
► Education about hand washing
with soap.
Clubs can organize talks with
traditional rulers/religious leaders to from pneumonia and diarrhoea
inform the families and with school
classes to directly educate children health intervention in the world.
i.e. about hand‐washing with soap
According to studies by the ► Building of toilets where badly
International Centre for Diarrheal needed. Of the approximately 120
Diseases Research in numerous million children born in the
communities less than 1 percent developing world each year, half do
reported washing hands with soap not have access to improved
before eating. sanitation, jeopardizing their survival
Similarly only 17 percent of peopleand development.
reported washing hands with soap orPoor hygiene and lack of access to
ash after defecation. Such practices
sanitation together contribute to
do not remove germs and do not about 88 percent of deaths from
prevent the transmission of diseases
diarrheal diseases ‐ 1.5 million
such as diarrhea or pneumonia. diarrhea‐related under‐five
deaths each year.
Studies have proven that effective More than 35,000 children under five
hand‐washing ‐ for at least 20 die of diarrheal diseases each year,
seconds ‐ with soap, cuts deaths an average of 100 deaths a day,
by according to UNICEF.
some 50 percent and is the cheapest INDICATOR: Reports of hospitals
and TBAs on number of
diarrhea cases.

2. Education and training of

Midwives and TBAs are caring for About half of all women still go
all grades of health personnel safe delivery in hospitals and for through childbirth without access to
mothers and their babies during their skilled care or emergency obstetric
► Trainings of midwives and home delivery. services.
other skilled birth attendants INDICATOR: Number of newly
(TBAs) can be organized and In some countries we experience trained midwives or skilled birth
implemented by clubs in developing 70 % home deliveries. attendants.
countries. These are excellent matching grant
project proposals.

3. Procurement of equipment Clubs can easily get proposals from Clubs can distribute them amongst
and drugs for hospitals, their local hospitals. midwives and traditional birth
A typical Matching Grant project. attendants (TBA) assisting home
midwives and Traditional
It has to be made sure beforehand deliveries – as explained in the
Birth Attendants that the equipment can be handled newsletter of RI Resource Group in
and that it will be maintained. September 2008.
► Delivery of medical equipment. INDICATOR: Number and
There is an unbelievable lack of description of the donated medical The Head Midwife employed in our
equipment last not least in the equipment. comprehensive project requested
gynecological departments of the these delivery kits as basic
hospitals. ► Delivery of delivery kits which equipment for home deliveries
Improvement of the structure can be purchased from “Birthing Kit especially in rural areas.
including equipment is crucial; see Foundation, Australia INDICATOR: Number of delivery kits
remarks on quality assurance above. www.birthingkitfoundation.org.au) or and number of recipients of
at UNFPA (www.unfpa.org). donated delivery kits.
► Prevention of mother to child INDICATOR: Number of donated sessions and
transmission (PMTCT). insecticide treated long lasting distribution of Oral
Clubs in developing countries can get mosquito nets. Rehydration Therapy
H.HRG #4 2008 Page 8
in contact with their local hospitals ► Combating malaria and polio at items.
and provide information about a the same time can be achieved by a The items needed for Oral
worldwide donation program. concerted effort. Rehydration Therapy (salt sugar
This program offers HIV testing and Clubs and districts in industrialized solution) – include clean water, salt
counselling to pregnant women and countries are invited to join us in and sugar.
treatment with anti‐retroviral drugs sponsoring a large project in Training goals should be sufficiently
to reduce the viral load and to extend Northern Nigeria where Malaria is hydrating the infant and instructions
the life expectancy of the HIV one of the main causes of child and on how to prepare and administer the
infected patient as well as to prevent maternal deaths and where also we solution to infants and children who
the transmission from mother to still envisage many polio cases. are in need of rehydration.
child. In a pilot project with which we Dehydration can be avoided by early
Rotarians will just have to fill out an distributed several thousands of nets and exclusive breastfeeding infants
application form and assure the we experienced that this promoted at from 0‐6 months.
reporting together with the hospitals the same time polio immunizations.
to use the donation program. Mothers who received such ► Antibiotic treatment for
INDICATOR: Number of tested and Insecticide treated long Lasting Nets pneumonia, sepsis, malaria is a
treated mothers and newborns. (INTS) immediately allowed that their proposal with which clubs can reduce
IV Combating malaria babies are immunized and did not the number of mothers and children
listen anymore to remorse which that die from pneumonia, sepsis and
► Distribution of mosquito nets to prevented them to avoid malaria.
babies and their mothers. immunization. Clubs can organize training sessions
When Children can sleep under INDICATOR: Number of donated and administering antibiotic
Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) insecticide treated long lasting treatments.
nearly 700.000 child deaths can be mosquito nets in connection with Pneumonia, sepsis and malaria are a
prevented. polio immunizations which parents major cause of maternal and child
Clubs can donate such nets costing did not allow before. mortality.
around USD 5 each to children and With the distribution of information
their mothers which they need to Even our pilot project of a and antibiotics (when necessary) to
protect themselves from malaria. ‐ comprehensive approach so far mothers and their children, these
By combining the efforts of many diseases can be avoided and/or
does not include the following
clubs and districts a large quantity of treated.
bed nets can be purchased which will single interventions:
lower the price of the producer. This article was written by Past
Clubs can finance the nets by ►Oral rehydration therapy for District Governor Robert Zinser,
Matching Grants which International diarrhoea. Vice Chairman of the
partner clubs will sponsor. Clubs can contribute to
Rotarian Action Group
Host partners have to make sure that reduce the dehydration of infants/
children by education, training for Population and
distribution is well organized.
Development.
Rotarian Action Group for Population and Development. Africa Sub‐Sahara:
PDG Dolapo Lufadeju, Ibadan, Nigeria; dolaluf@gmail.com
Contact Information Europe:
Rotarian Action Group for Population & Development PDG Robert Zinser, Ludwigshafen, Germany; robert.zinser@t
website: www.rifpd.org ‐online.de
RFPD‐Executive Director: Jennifer Hendrickson, 344 West India, Asia and Australia:
Pike Street, Lawrenceville, GA, 30045 USA; rifpd@aol.com; PDG Rekha Shetty, Chennai, India;
phone: 770‐407‐5633 rekhashetty123@gmail.com
RFPD‐Vice Chairman: PDG Robert Zinser, Marbacher Str. 7, Latin America:
D‐67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany; robert.zinser@t‐online.de Rot. Luis Serra, Tandil, Argentina; luisserra@speedy.com
RFPD‐Area Coordinators: North America and Eastern Russia:
Africa‐North and Middle East: PRID Bill Cadwallader, Homer, USA; cadwalla@twcny.rr.com
PDG Salem Mashhour, Cairo, Egypt; PDG Buck Lindsay, Lawrenceville, USA; lpbatlanta@aol.com
s.mashhour@tedata.net.eg
 SOME SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FROM THE HEALTH AND HUNGER RESOURCE GROUP

H.HRG #4 2008 Page 9

Child mortality is a complex life saving care for children and mothers. Organize a community
• Strengthen health systems – Health project in health, such as a health fair,
issue that lacks a single systems, particularly in local perhaps in conjunction with your local
solution. communities, should be strengthened library or chamber of commerce.
However, a number of international and expanded to provide technical
development organizations including health interventions to children, mothers, Volunteer to serve at a soup kitchen,
UNICEF, the World Health and their families. individually or as a Rotary club.
Develop a project to improve health in
Organization, and Save the Children
• Promote partnership – Partnership at the workplace, a prison, or an
have suggested the following local, regional, and national levels organization in your community where a
strategies for reducing child mortality. enhances the ability of the world need exists.
Invest in inexpensive solutions – Most community to reduce child mortality by Conduct a project in which every new
child deaths could be prevented by increasing the effectiveness of
mother at a local hospital receives a
solutions that cost as little as US$ 1.00 interventions, minimizing costs, package of information regarding good
per child. These include immunizations, improving accountability, and avoiding health and nutrition.
breastfeeding, oral rehydration therapy, the duplication of efforts.
antibiotics, trained birth attendants, Promote a contest, whereby children
• Involve governments – Increasing
nutritional supplements, and insecticide government support for proven solutions write, draw, paint, or use some other
treated mosquito nets. type of materials, to present their
that save the lives of mothers, children
rendering of health and hunger needs.
Educate women and girls – Educated and newborns has been an essential
women and girls are a crucial part of reducing child mortality rates in Become involved in an international
component to reducing child mortality. countries worldwide. health or hunger project either hands on,
As a whole, women and girls who are shipping supplies or by providing grant
To address other major health and
educated are healthier and better support, i.e. AIDS, World Food
hunger issues Rotary clubs can:
equipped to understand and address the Promote giving blood in your club and Programme, PolioPlus, Operate Heart
health risks mothers and children face. your community. Surgery, and HungerPlus.

• Train health care providers – Many Invite speakers to present programs Prepare an exhibit of your club’s health
communities lack access to trained about aspects of health and hunger at a and hunger projects and
health care providers who can provide club meeting. display it at your district

ROTARIAN ACTION GROUPS
Rotarian Action Groups are voluntary
associations of committed Rotarians,
Rotarian spouses, and Rotaractors
united around a common humanitarian
service issue.
Through their worldwide networks of
volunteers, Rotarian Action Groups
conduct international service projects
that advance the Object of Rotary.
Any Rotarian interested in the work of a
Rotarian Action Group is invited to visit
their website use their references and
other materials, and consider becoming
a member. While Rotarian Action
Groups are formally recognized by
Rotary International, the recognition of a
Rotarian Action Group by Rotary
International in no way implies legal,
financial or other obligation or
responsibility on the part of RI, or any
district or club. A Rotarian Action Group
may not act on behalf of Rotary
International, or represent or imply that it
has authority to act on behalf of R.I.
Rotarian Action Groups are not agencies
of, or controlled by, Rotary
International.

THE HEALTH AND HUNGER RESOURCE GROUP

Supported by Rotary International, the Health and Hunger,
Literacy, and Water Resource Groups were established to
help support Rotary’s annual service emphases and connect
Rotary clubs and districts with the information and resources
they need to address these issues in their communities.
In the 2008-09 Rotary year, resource groups are also
responsible for making the RI president and the directors
aware of what clubs and districts are doing to reduce child
mortality – a special emphasis of RI President D. K. Lee.
The 2008-09 Health and Hunger Resource Group is
comprised of experienced Rotarian coordinators appointed by
RI President D. K. Lee and hundreds of District Coordinators
appointed by their respective district governors to support the
goal of reducing child mortality and to Make Dreams Real.
Additional information about the Health and Hunger Resource
Group may be found on the RI website, including contact
information for your district’s zone coordinator.
http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/RotaryLeadership/
RIPresident/Pages/HealthandHunger.aspx
The Health and Hunger Resource Group supports and
encourages Rotary club and district efforts to improve health
and nutrition in their communities, paying special attention to
issues that primarily affect children and their mothers. The
resource group encourages clubs to conduct projects that
improve nutrition, reduce vulnerability to preventable or
treatable diseases, and increase access to safe drinking
water and basic sanitation. By carrying out these types of
projects, clubs and districts will go a long way toward
achieving 2008-09 RI President D.K. Lee’s goal of
reducing child mortality.
THINGS YOU ARE DOING
SAVING LIVES H.HRG #4 2008 Page10

Select your Country and number of birthing kits

Ethiopia
Rotary Foundation Matching Grant Progress
Description Supply of Birthing Kits to Ethiopia via Hamlin Fistula Hospital
Host Partner Rotary Club of Twin Bridges $ 250 Rotary Club of Twin
International Partner Rotary Club of Addis Ababa Central Mella $ Bridges Board voted
Participants Rotary Club of Addis Ababa
Rotary Clubs of Districts estimated
District 7190 Designated Fund.
$
$ 4000
$ 2500
yes to this most
significant Matching
District 7150 Designated Fund. $ 3000 Grant proposal.
District 7120 and 7170 Designated Fund. $
Yourself $
Your Club $
Your District $

Solomon Islands -
Need 15,000 @ US$3
Promised now 1,000 Kits
The Rotary Club of Honiara administers supply of kits to
remote villages throughout the small Island Nation.

Nigeria - Northern
“This is indeed a project worthy of
Need 30,000 kits @ US$3 support.
Promised now 150,000 Kits We look forward to working with
150,000 kits annually to compliment the Rotary International you in support of this project.”
Nigeria Fistula Project. Best regards,
Yours in Rotary,
Tehout (Mrs)
Rotary Foundation Matching Grant Progress East Timor Director Community Services
Description Supply of Maternity Packs to East Timor. Rotary Club of Addis Ababa
Host Partner Rotary Club of Mt Isa SouthWest. $ 10,000
International Partner Rotary Club of Dili $ 100
Participants Rotary Club of Coomera River Midday. $ 4000
District 9640 District Designated Fund. $ 2000
Your personal contribution $
Your Club $
Your District $

Select.
j n q mf!
Tp!T tfoujbm!
1. Select a Country
2. Select number of kits
3. Select payment method
Direct to Birthing Kit Foundation at http:// p !F t
www.birthingkitfoundation.org.au/rotary.htm T z !
where special gift forms are available.
f b t
Email your expression of interest to Heather Yarker at
yarkerhi@onthenet.com.au to be placed in current Matching Grants.
Tp!
Picture courtesy Birthing Kit Foundation
 One person can make a difference
H.HRG #4 2008 Page11

Imagine, if you could, a devising a simple and sustainable solution to

world that was free of global malnutrition through establishing the not-
chronic malnutrition. for-profit organisation, Food Plants International.

Where children as young as Through his work he has documented the

five did not die of hunger or world’s most complete and comprehensive
disease. database of edible plants.

Well that could be a reality now thanks to the These plants thrive in their homelands, provide
efforts of Tasmanian Agricultural Scientist, Bruce nutrition and, most importantly, help the hungry
French. Bruce has devoted a lifetime of work to feed themselves.

One Club - “Your Club” - can make a difference

How can Rotary help?
The database is only of use in the hands of
those who need it most, and herein, the
challenge lies.
Rotary is uniquely positioned to take a lead role in
moving this project forward, representing a worldwide
network and a deep concern for world health and hunger
issues.
In a joint venture with not-for-profit organisation Food
Plants International, the Rotary Club of Devonport North
in Tasmania, Australia, Rotary District 9830 has
established the “Learn—Grow” project.
The aim of the project is to develop strategies to deliver
this vital information to countries most in need.
It also aims to raise awareness and encourage the use
of the database among existing aid agencies and
programs.
Meet Health and Hunger Resource Group Area Coordinator, Africa. Mark Doyle
Marcus Patrick (Mark) Doyle
After a career in the BSA Police
(Rhodesia/Zimbabwe) in which
Mark served almost exclusively
in Criminal Investigation he
entered the security industry in
which he still practices today on
a South African, African and
international basis as an
independent consultant.
He has 38 years’
membership in service
organizations.
H.HRG #4 2008 Page12
H.HRG November 2008
Past president of Association of Ordinator Southern Africa 1998- conferences, 8 other district
Page 2
Round Tables in Central Africa 2000 conferences including D 9700
Malawi/Mozambique/Botswana/ Australia in 2008..
Lesotho/Swaziland/Rhodesia- Zone 10 (English Speaking
Zimbabwe) 1975/76 Africa) Co-Ordinator for Visited and spoken at
Foundation Alumni 1994-96, conferences, Institutes and
Joined RC Belmont D 9250, Membership 2001-2003, Health Foundation seminars in 17
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe as charter and Hunger 2005 – 2008. African countries and 8 other
member in 1978. Chairman Foundation low- countries world-wide.
Joined RC Pretoria 6 (first truly income country scholarship
non-racial club in South Africa) in selection committee 2000 -2006. Paul Harris Fellow x 6
1982 – 112 members. D 9250 representative to 2001 Sapphires.
President RC Pretoria 6 Council on Legislation Recipient of The Rotary
1986/87. Joined RC Pretoria RI President’s Representative to Foundation Citation for
west 1999, president 2002. Nigeria, Zambia and South Meritorious Service (1999) and
Africa. Distinguished Service Award
D 9250 GSE team leader to Executive member of the (2005) and the D 9250 Service
Alaska and Yukon Territory D Governors’ Council of Southern Above Self certificate 2002.
5010 in 1990 and Eastern Africa 1995 to 2005
– Chairman 1999 – 2001. Life Member RFFA March 2006.
Numerous 9250 district posts RFFA ANCHOR Director African
including District Rotary 3 x Rotary volunteer conducting Operations and RFFA Global
Foundation Committee chairman forensic 3H and Matching Grant Vice Chair.
1992 to 1995 and 2003. audits to two Districts in India But still – just an
District Governor D 9250 and once in the Philippines (with
1996/97 RI President Bill Boyd) ordinary Rotarian.
Regional Rotary Foundation Co- 5 RI conventions. 24 D 9250

“Rotary takes ordinary people and gives them extraordinary opportunities to do more with
their lives than they ever dreamed possible” Past Rotary International President 1978-79. Clem Renouf

Meet Rotarian Brad Howard

A Rotarian since 1985, those 600 Rotarians that have participated in this year’s Project Fair Opening Workshops.
Brad a past president of the missions and also the Rotarians and
the RC Oakland- people of the host countries whom he states, All too often the meaning of a word in one
Sunrise, D 5170 ‘are the real heroes’. culture has a completely difference meaning
California has a love in another. All too often concepts of time
affair with Africa. Perhaps, primus inter pares, amongst the and urgency are different.
volunteers is Barbara Groaner, who at
He was district Abuja in 2007 was completing her 11th The essence of his presentation was
governor of D 5170 in mission to destinations a far-flung as the need for true communication; that
2002-2003 RI president India, Brazil and Africa amongst others.
is, true understanding of what has
Bhichai Rattakul – Sow We salute Barbara as representing all
the seeds of Love. volunteers in this, largely unsung been said and what has been meant.
network of Rotary Service that criss-
Brad has participated in and organized 9 crosses the world.
NID initiatives in West Africa (Togo, And, partners, especially in the developed
countries, should understand country
Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana) Amongst Brad’s treasured memories of
these missions is being witness to the infrastructures sometimes mean that not
encouraging more than 600 other even all professional and affluent Rotarians
Rotarians, primarily from the United ‘awakening to service’ that, often, this first
visit to Africa and sometimes the first trip have automatic internet access at home or
States and Canada, to join him on these even in the office. In many instances the
outside continental America has
missions.
engendered. This has led to many partner response to an email does not simply mean
projects and personal steps towards club, hitting the ‘reply’ button whilst sitting in one’s
The last three of these missions have own office during the routine download but a
coincided with the annual West African district and even international leadership
roles by participants. time-consuming visit to an internet cafe.
Project Fair in Accra, Ghana 2006, Abuja,
Nigeria 2007 and Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire Truly, Brad has lived up to the
2008. Brad’s experience enabled him to deliver a call by ‘his’ RI President
Although Brad is cited as a Rotary Hero he seminal presentation on “Cultural differences Bhichai and “Sown the seeds
is the first one to say that he only represents between host and international partners” at of Love”
Medical Mission to provide services to orphans and vulnerable children.
See; www.gothic63.com
September, 2008, after months of planning and grant applications to the Rotary Foundation, a team H.HRG #4 2008 Page13

of 73 Rotarians and non-Rotarians from 10 countries set off for Nairobi, Kenya, led by Sally Platt,
RN, http://sallyskenyablog.blogspot.com and Connie Sparks, District Governor Elect 7390.
“I have never been blessed by God, Mukuru is a slum neighbourhood of During our time there were several
Allah and told I am a miracle worker Nairobi. It houses, in shanties, over mercy dashes to hospitals for cases like
so many times before. 500,000 people. Our site was a school diabetic twin babies and dehydrated
Our whole team have received so and we had a medical, optical and dental babies and several third degree burns,
many thankyous and good wishes for team and a busy pharmacy. In ten days some TB ulcers and lots of ringworm,
our life, it should last us all for many we saw about 6,000 and some lives umbilical hernias and weird hardly ever
lifetimes to come.” were saved. The people were so patient seen infections that is not mentioning all
they just lined up and waited all day the families that were referred to VCT
literally in the heat. (the HIV /Aids volunteer counselling and
We worked on tables and the age of my testing facility). HIV testing is voluntary
undernourished patients ranged from so this is a big issue getting people to
three months, a first time mum get tested as usually it is the women’s
concerned about a lump in her babies world that falls apart as the husband
mouth to a 20 year old mum who had leaves and finds another wife.
three children and a very infected molar
that I extracted. We talk about orphans but I heard of one
I extracting over 100 teeth not counting group of children who were fending for
mouldy root fragments. themselves, 12 year old boy with 10 year
I was lucky enough to work with a old sister and 4 year old sister.
Charmaine White joined the Canadian dentist Wayne who was also He works to support his sisters and 10
international team which included health doing his first volunteering stint and year old goes to school when she can
care professionals and non-medical Japanese dentist Koji 73 years old and and the 4 year old stays around the
volunteers from Australia, Brazil, doing his tenth mission. shack until sister gets home.
Canada, Denmark, India, Japan, South To my understanding of
Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Mukuru that is a very
Kingdom and the United States. They dangerous situation for
include physicians, dentists, dental them to be in but they
assistants, paramedics, registered have each other so are
nurses, optometrists and opticians. not classed as orphans.
About two thirds of the volunteers are No doubt lots of children
members of Rotary clubs. are in a similar situation,
at risk, and literally
The medical mission focused on the surviving as best they can
health needs of children living in the on a day to day basis.
Nairobi slums of Mukuru, Mathare and My saddest patients were the orphans
Korogocho, where the poverty rate is who some did not even know their Yes what we all did was a drop in the
high and access to preventive health names so the registration volunteers ocean but we went with open hearts and
care extremely limited. gave them names and then explained in skills and did what we could. The
majority of the children were so brave
Swahili what they meant like “beautiful”
Charmaine reported; “My Kenyan and so good especially as they had no
and “gift” “strong” “brave” and “smiley”.
adventure was a leap of faith that Rotary idea what to expect and most that I saw
would look out for me. It was for me to We had outstanding young locals who needed extractions on their first visit to
take the risk and go half way around volunteered their time and translated for see a white person. One poor child was
the world on my own, to a place, us, without them we would have not so scared that he could not even let me
Africa that I had never been and meet been as effective or efficient, they were put a mouth mirror in his mouth, but he
people that I had never met. a vital necessity. was one of a few.
The doctors saw
abused children Charmaine
that had to be Rotary
taken to welfare Club
homes and the Parkwood,
families D.9640
investigated by
police.
Meet Health and Hunger Resource Group Area Coordinator, Latin America,
Luiz Coelho de Oliveira
H.HRG #4 2008 Page14

He has been municipal secretary Distinguished Service Award.

Luiz Coelho de Oliveira
and wife Lucilena
luizcoelho@vivax.com.br
Luiz Coelho de Oliveira
Coelho is a doctor urologist with a
post-graduate degree in
occupational medicine and health
administration. He also completed
a MBA in Health Management in
Brasil as well as a Specialization
Course in Advanced Health
Management in Harvard, USA.
of health and a deputy in the
regional medicine council of the
state of São Paulo.
A member of the Rotary Club of
Limeira-Leste, Brazil since 1977,
he has served RI as 1992-93
district 4590 governor, RI training
leader, Regional Rotary
Foundation coordinator,
committees and task forces
member and RI director 2003-05.
He has also served as Council on
Legislation representative, many
International Institutes and
Conventions and has represented
RI presidents in Brazil and
abroad.
He has been recognized as The
Rotary Foundation’s Citation for
Meritorious Service and its
He is married to Lucilena, a
pedagogue and doctor in School
Psychology. He, his wife, and
three children are Paul Harris
Fellows, as well as Rotary
Foundation Benefactor and Major
Donors.
Coelho was member of the 2006
Nominating Committee for RI
President, 2008 Los Angeles RI
Convention Promotion member,
RI delegate for the UN FAO (Food
and Agriculture Organization)
Conference for Latin America and
Caribbean in April, 2008 and
nowadays he is the 2008-09 Latin
America area coordinator Health
and Hunger Resource Group, with
faith and enthusiasm.

- Held Seminar for the Defense of Life during the XXXI Rotary Institute of Brazil, in September, in Belo Horizonte.
- Signed term cooperation with the Secretary of State for Health of Minas Gerais, seeking the partnership of the Rotary Club of the state
with the program LIVELY LIFE, which aims to combat maternal and infant mortality in 30 municipalities in the state.
- Created committee between Districts 4520 and 4760 in defense of life, for actions to combat maternal and infant mortality, through the
Rotary Club of Belo Horizonte and the metropolitan area.
- Motivational talks and enlightening program to combat hunger nutrition and infant mortality in all the training seminars of Districts of
Minas Gerais.
- Sent letters to all Districts of the Zone 20, asking for the report of actions related to hunger combat, malnutrition and infant mortality.

Rotary Club of Foz do Iguaçu D4640 Entity: Bank of Human Milk. Participation of the Club: Partner
Through the initiative of the Club, it was possible to create the Bank of Human milk. The project had the
partnership of City Hall, Foundation of Health Ita. Foundation of Health Itaiguapy and Itaipu Binational. With the
initiative, it was possible to reduce the infant mortality, since it can answer around 480 newborns annually. The
project also broadcasted the motherly breastfeeding through direction, over 3,100 mothers. Besides the 3,100
mothers. Besides the donation of equipment for pasteuralization, cooler, shaker, feezers, computer, printer and
air-conditioning, the objective is to increase the collection and pasteurization of human milk and to enlarge the
number of beneficiaries.

Rotary Club of Lajeado Engenho D-4700 Entity: APAE – Association of Parents and Friends of
Exceptional Excepcionais Participation of the Club: Partner
The organization attends approximately 170 individuals with special needs, with age special needs, with age
between 03 months to 45 years old, originating from wanting families. They receive psychological care,
pedagogic service, health, early stimulation and other therapies needed, as music music therapy. With the
result of a promotion, the club destined R$ 5.000.00 (US$ 3,125.00) for improvements in the living room of
music.

Rotary Club of Curitiba Bom Retiro. District - 4730 Project: Encouraging

the Planting of Fruitfull Trees in Brazil
With the aim of promoting health, combating hunger and reducing the infant mortality
infant mortality on 02/08/08 it was officially launched by the Club the Project of
Encouraging the Planting of Fruitfull Trees in Brazil. The goal is to get the awareness of the
States, Local authorities, Schools, Churches, Trade Unions, Associations, Clubs,
governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, of the importance of planting fruitful trees to
provide fruit in the diet of needy communities. With the adhesion of the District Governor, the Project has become an initiative of the
District. http://rotarybomretiro.org/arvoresfrutiferas/ www.rotarybomretiro.org