Our year started with a Hail and Farewell Curry Night - to thank members moving to other committees for their contribution and to welcome new members. Yes, we work hard organising events and projects, but Rotary is also fun !

January 2010 - The Story so Far….

In past years we have supported water and sanitation projects in Mbondongo and Jalira, remote villages in Malawi. We have also funded seed for crops and the purchase of livestock.

In November Rotary International Headquarters in Evanston USA confirmed that final accounts for our joint project in Malawi had been approved and they considered the project successfully completed. We thank the Raven Trust and our partner clubs for making this magnificent project possible. 

Thanks also go the Rotary Club of Mzuzu in Malawi for overseeing the project. They invited Rotarians from Carluke to see the wells and the difference it has made to their remote communities. Carluke Vice President, Allan Smith, hopes to accept this invitation whilst visiting Malawi with incoming District Governor Allan McLaughlan in 2010

Fundraising

In November we welcomed Rotarians and guests to the International Committee cabaret and dinner dance.

Thanks to the generosity of business contacts and local companies the programme sponsorship and tombola prizes were exceptional again this year, despite difficult economic times.

The tombola was enthusiastically supported by Rotarians and guests - thanks to star prizes like colour televisions with built in DVDs,  a patio heater and garden furniture.

Guest at events often ask - “What does Rotary Do?” so this year the televisions were used to show videos about the work of Rotary, pictures of our projects displayed and a copy of our new information leaflet was given to everyone attending the event.

The night went very well thanks to the staff of the Masonic Hall, our caterers the Crown Tavern, our comedian/singer Paul Phillips and the Cameron Baxter band.

New Projects

This year the committee is considering a micro finance project already proven overseas by other Rotary clubs.

A Trust Bank provides small loans to fund the purchase of tools and machinery, to individuals wanting to start micro businesses. This small investment allows people to take control of their own futures.

Mentoring and peer group support means the success rate is an amazing 95% and the small amount of interest collected, means the project is self sustaining.

We aim to invite a speaker from Opportunity International to address a club meeting in coming months and answer questions from Rotarians.

Subject to gaining support we would hope to start a project in Kenya or Uganda, possibly in partnership with another local club and Rotary District