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ROB'S RAMBLINGS
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I recently had the pleasure of attending the opening of the Sinethemba Skills Centre and had my eyes opened wide by the manner in which a dream has turned into a reality through the commitment and hard work of our Club members. In particular Joan Huskisson deserves recognition for her total selfless dedication in initiating the project through a matching grant and then as usual taking it upon herself to ensure its successful implementation.
Joan was ably assisted by Alan Warne and Mike Smerdon who attended to the sourcing and installation of many of the equipment and facility needs of the Centre. Adrian Auckland, our Treasurer, assisted by Terry Hime took care of the financial control and disbursements. Another project of which our Club can be justifiably proud and I honour all who were involved. |
I was equally proud of our involvement in a joint S A Police and F.A.M.S.A. project and honoured to attend the opening of their Victims Relief Centre, which offers care and counseling to victims of trauma and abuse. The sad part, of course, is the reality of the ever increasing need for this kind of facility in our community.
I am becoming more and more aware of how ill equipped a number of us are, myself included, and the urgent need to recognize and train our members to fulfill leadership roles. The recent PRLS course, in particular, revealed the skills needed and the many pitfalls of public speaking, and this was just an introduction. Similarly, although the speakers and content of our conferences may not always be to our liking, they do offer the opportunity to meet with other Rotarians and learn from their experiences and expertise. I therefore urge the inexperienced to attend. Within our own Club we have a wealth of Rotary knowledge and experience which is readily available but seldom freely imparted unless requested. Our recent Interactor training session revealed a hunger for knowledge and an enthusiasm which we should be aware of and capitalize on. I therefore challenge all, in the know, to recognise this need and come forward to impart to us, who are lacking in the skills and knowledge of the Rotary way. Identify future leaders and initiate training please.
I end this Rambling on a very sad note with the passing of Pam Muir, after a long and suffering illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the members of your family Andy, please accept our heartfelt sympathy and support.
We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give |
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LAUNCH OF THE SINETHEMBA SKILLS CENTRE |
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Nearly a decade ago David Crowe, an altruistic Knysna resident, called a public meeting in the Ashmead Hall for representatives of charitable and service organisations to address, what was then, a serious problem: street children around every corner of the town.
Those of us who were present, whilst very conscious of the seriousness of the situation, were already committed to coping with the demands on our own time…
so David and Jane Crowe took on the challenge single-handedly. They converted a shell of a hall into an acceptable learning and utility area for youngsters, who slowly accepted a better way to spend their time.
It took a few years to find just the right manager/supervisor, but when Michael Smith, the current incumbent of the post, arrived some years ago, his presence gave an air of caring and comfort to the youngsters and soon the success rate of getting children back to primary school was over 90%. |
| Rotary President Rob Clark, Sinethemba Manager Michael Smith and the Mayor of Knysna, Georlene Wolmarans, display the commemorative plaque |
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However, it was the older dropouts for whom the gap in education was often too great to reverse, who needed more attention and the Youth Development Centre was born.
Local volunteers, as well as dedicated teenage volunteers from abroad, added to the workforce as the needs of the establishment diversified.
Cookery and sewing were included as part of the training given to the learners.
On Wednesday, 28th September, when the Skills Centre was officially launched by the Mayor, the Kyalethu community was able to celebrate another chapter in the achievements of this organisation. The centre increases the available facilities offering courses in welding, computer education, and pottery and there is now even a Marimba Band.
The financing for the Skills Centre was made possible by the collaboration between the Rotary Clubs of Knysna and Mönchengladbach-Niers, in Germany.
Hopefully these courses will help Sinethemba to not only be a major community asset, but will also help the institution to become more self-sustainable.
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FROM THE INTERACTOR CLUBS – KNYSNA SEKONDêR |
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Knysna Sekondêr Interactors visited Vermont Old Age home in order to bring some cheer to the old folk. One of the teachers baked a cake and some biscuits, fruit was bought from Fruit and Veg and the children gave spontaneous presentations, which included jokes and rap. The residents of Vermont enjoyed all the attention.
The picture shows the Interactors and their teacher Mrs. Plaaitjies, at Vermont.
Other projects undertaken by the Sekondêr group were: delivering Easter Eggs to crèches, planting a tree for National Arbour Day, assisting at the Talkie-Talkie and Siyafunda pre-schools, assisting with the arrangements for National Women’s Day and, much to the surprise of their teacher, re-painting the Interactor classroom, during out of school time. This report was prepared by President Fundeko Mkoko. |
| Sekondêr Interactors at Vermont with their teacher Mrs Plaatjies (front left) and President Fundeko Mkoko (front second from the right) |
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| SINETHEMBA MARIMBA BAND - KNYSNA SWINGS TO A NEW BEAT! |
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For some years, Sinethemba Youth Development Centre has been most fortunate to attract young international volunteers who have been able to contribute a considerable diversity of skills to the organisation. Attracting volunteers from the UK, Switzerland and particularly Germany, the participants have gained many benefits.
However, it was only when Lukas Kiefer from Germany arrived last year that they literally struck gold! Lukas' father was not only a member of the Mönchengladbach-Niers Rotary Club, which was prepared to support a worthwhile and accountable community project in Knysna, but he was a successful entrepreneur with considerable experience in job creation.
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| The Sinethemba Marimba Band |
With seeding finance from their annual cycle race, the Rotary Club of Knysna joined the German Club in a Matching Grant, supported by the Rotary Foundation, and it was not long before Sinethemba was moving in their new direction as the Sinethemba Skills Centre.
Apart from the computers, welding and other skills available, Knysna now has a Marimba Band!
To introduce training, a Marimba Band from the Rondebosch United Church (including the fulltime Marimba teacher in their midst) spent a weekend in Knysna doing auditions, teaching and on the Sunday morning, the Knysna band gave their first public performance in the Knysna Presbyterian Church!
But it was the audience at the launch of the new Skills Centre, the following week, which raised the roof with their applause!
Mr. George Potgieter, music teacher at Oakhill School, continues to provide voluntary teaching and the fledgling band will now be an integral part of the Knysna beat and will be available for hire.
For more information contact Irvin Kamfer (Operations Manager) at 073-520 9196. |
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| INTERACT TRAINING DAY 2011 |
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A highly successful Interact Training Day was held at Belvidere Manor on Saturday, 3rd September. Belvidere Manor is owned and run by Mike and Sue Mills of the Knysna Rotary Club, and is a gracious and elegant setting.
Interactors from 11 Interact Clubs: Pinelands, in Cape Town, 4 clubs in Mossel Bay and 6 Knysna Clubs, together with their teachers, made up more than 50 participants.
Rotarian Mike Mills put together a comprehensive and interesting programme:
• PE Ina Thompson explained the structure of Rotary International
• A DVD made in Knysna illustrated some of our projects
• President Rob Clark explained the workings of the Club
• Breakaway sessions provided guidance for presidents, secretaries and treasurers
• PDG Elwin Thompson demonstrated the art and pitfalls of public speaking
• PP Lesley Satchel discussed Rotary Youth Exchange programmes
Interact Clubs were invited to address the gathering about their successful projects. We heard about soup kitchens, food collections, toy and clothing collections, entertaining the elderly, donations to needy schools, even assistance to an ex-Interactor who needed to pay her university entrance fee. |
| Interactors from 11 Clubs, who attended the Training Day, pose outside the Conference Room at Belvidere Manor |
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There were comfort packs for abused women and children, book collections, a puppet theatre for a preschool, participation in a combined Knysna-Bath Interact project to paint two preschools, dances, and much more. Montessori Interact has a project where members work during the holidays in the school hostel, which is let out to visiting sports teams – the Interactors see to the laundry, cleaning, breakfasts according to a roster and help their school raise valuable funds.
The Best Interact Club Trophy for 2010-11 plus cheque was handed by Rtn Heather Thomas to new Montessori President Donna Mohamed in recognition of their full and interesting programme over the past 12 months.
A DVD made by the Bath (UK) Interactors during their recent visit to Knysna was shown. This detailed the upgrade work carried out at two preschools in Knysna.
This project had won the District Youth Award, and was so successful that the two Interact Clubs from Bath are planning a second trip in February 2012 to work with the six Knysna clubs again.
Dr Sian Hartshorne addressed the Interactors about acne, a teenage problem. She had an interesting PowerPoint presentation and explained her points clearly for the audience.
Sue Mills, our hostess, had not only seen to the excellent lunch and other refreshments for the Interactors, but also delivered a presentation about correct table-settings, which is of interest to young people who often have holiday employment in restaurants.
Certificates were handed to all attendees. It was a great pleasure for Knysna to host this training session which also included Interactors from Cape Town and Mossel Bay. It is hoped that Mossel Bay will be able to send Interactors to the RYLA camp in Sedgefield with the Knysna Interactors who will also attend.
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Matching Grants a Nuisance? |
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“We couldn’t be bothered with Matching Grants. They are just a nuisance!” this is part of a conversation overheard during a recent District Conference. Regretfully the listener could not engage the participants in a conversation to convince them otherwise. The afternoon session was about to start and, when he looked for his fellow Rotarians at the tea break, they had vanished.
There is no doubt that the application and administration of MGs require dedication, diligence and organisation, but they are a financial instrument without which the RC of Knysna would not have been able to complete many projects over the last few years. At any one time the club has five MGs open, which are the maximum number allowed by the Rotary Foundation. The moment one is completed, a new one is applied for.
During the last 10 years PP Joan Huskisson has been the driving force behind the MG success of RC Knysna. Projects to the value of over R4 Million have been completed.
Matching Grants a nuisance? One would have to have a much distorted perspective to believe this! For more details on the RC Knysna’s Matching Grants see our August Newsletter. The list of current Matching Grants demonstrates what a wonderful tool this can be for improving the lives of so many, who are less fortunate than us.
The Key to a Successful Matching Grant Application
Compiled by PP Joan Huskisson
1. Find a project which meets the criteria set by the Rotary Foundation
2. Get approval from your club for seed funds, usually US $ 1000, but this can be as little as US $ 100
3. Find one or more clubs outside South Africa to contribute towards the project
4. Get commitment from your District Rotary Foundation Chairman for approval and funding from the District Designated Fund (DDF), which will be 50% of 2+3 i.e. the funds the participating clubs contribute
5. Submit to the Rotary Foundation, which, if approved, will give the same amount that the DDF has contributed. |
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I must admit: Rotary Ann president’s life is hectic, fun, filled with friendship and compassion, with lots of interesting, new experiences and a steep learning curve!
The three Hospice Ballet Performances at the end of August were a great success, with 243 seats per performance sold out and with about half of the audience per show, buying tickets from Francois and Judith to have tea/coffee/water/juice and some delicious eats provided by the Ann’s.
The ballet dancers danced beautifully and everyone is already looking forward to next year’s show! Needless to say the Ann’s also had fun behind the scenes! While not preparing the tea, some budding ballerinas practiced their plies, first and second positions, pointing toes (with difficulty!) etc. at the ballet bar in the hall. Little Girl dreams relived……? |
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The ‘Feet for Food’ walk is postponed to the 24th March 2012 and we hope to get many enthusiastic Knysneans entering the fun walk, which we would like to organize properly in line with the Marathon Club and Western Districts Athletics regulations.
At our September Ann’s meeting Linzi Jansen captivated us with her tales and photos of her experience, working at a rehabilitation centre for Orang-utans in Borneo in the Far East. Bornean orang-utans are an endangered species due to habitat destruction and the young being caught and sold as pets, entailing the killing of their mothers.
Linzi was also asked to be our guest speaker for quite another reason …..
Sue Mills presented Linzi with the Rotary Ann’s Theresa/Diana Award for her outstanding contribution to the community.
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Anns at the Bar – Penny, Dot, Dori, Joyce and
Heather practice their moves! |
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Thanks to Linzi, for her interesting talk and her enthusiastic fundraising efforts, by directing and producing wonderful plays.
Judy Carter has moved to England and therefore donated her 150 Fluffy Toys for us to give to little children who will love and cherish them. And thanks to Lesley Satchel who asked her friend, Ruth Renwick, if she could donate some material for the KET cot mattress covers.
Yes, dear Anns, get your sewing machines oiled, we will be sewing!
Sue McIver and Sue Mills are very busy organizing soaps for the Global Handwash Day in October. The soaps will be distributed to various clinics in our community and given to the patients.
I realized again how many wonderful people are doing wonderful work for the community, at the Badisa Knysna AGM. Badisa is mainly run by the NG Kerk with the help and support of other churches and the community, offering a Christian based social service with their vision to serve people in need. The Loerie Service Centre organizes group workshops for the elderly, with the aim to improve their independence by stimulating physical, mental and social activities.
The Family Care Service renders a social service to 1083 beneficiaries, benefiting from the community development programs, e.g. soup kitchens, crèches, vegetable garden on Thesen Islands. The Loeriehof Old Age Home has 71 residents (54 women, 17 men) with a Hair Salon at which Rotary Ann’s and other ladies do hairdressing every Tuesday.
The guest speaker at the AGM, the potter and teacher Anthony Noble, turned a perfect pot on his potter’s wheel within 3 minutes, while one of the guests managed less successfully.
The lesson learnt: to ask for help, practice makes perfect, persevere!
Ask God to help you, - we do it too seldom!
God does not give up on us!
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