UNews - Rotaract

Rotaract event to support emerging education

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:53:07 +0000

Students desperate for a permanent place to receive an education in the new country of South Sudan will benefit from a popular ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge student-organized fundraising event.

The U of L's Rotaract Club will host Guir Ku Baai – Building Peace through Education, its 7th Annual Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, Feb. 4 in the Grand Ballroom at the Lethbridge Lodge.

Proceeds from the event will help current U of L Management student Anthony Makwach build a school in his home community of Abouk (pronounced Ab-wark), South Sudan, in the world's newest nation.

Anthony Makwach is looking to give children in his homeland of South Sudan the same educational opportunities he enjoyed in his youth.

Makwach was born during a prolonged civil war between what are now the countries of Sudan and South Sudan, and was raised in nearby Kenya. He has returned numerous times to his home community of Abouk since hostilities diminished in 2005.

Makwach says his long-term dream is the construction of a school to assist the children of the community.

"I went back to the South Sudan this past summer to celebrate the country's independence, and to visit my family," says Makwach. "I was so inspired, but at the same time heartbroken to see how the kids are struggling for their education. They have no school and are taking classes under a tree. I built a small shelter with my own funds, and came back to Canada with the idea for a project – to build a building big enough for at least 600 elementary school children."

Makwach knows first-hand the value of an education and the freedom it provides.

"I had an opportunity and privilege to go to a high school in Kenya. I got my diploma, and now am attending the U of L, where I am training to become an accountant," he says.

The direct connection between Anthony, his family in Abouk, and the dedication of the community to build the school formed the basis for the Rotaract group's support for this project.

"It is Anthony's dream to see a school built in his community, and we are working to make his dream a reality," says Eva Gorny, Rotaract's vice-president, External Affairs. "The Rotaract event typically raises between $10,000 and $15,000. We are hopeful that most, if not all, of the needed funds will be raised at this event."

Makwach's family members in Abouk and area are builders, and the cost of construction materials will be offset by volunteer labour from the community.

South Sudan, as the world's newest country, is also the poorest, with the majority of its eight million citizens living on less than $1 (CDN) per day. Life expectancy and literacy rates are low, infant mortality rates are high, basic medical care is scarce, education is difficult to obtain and the economy is unstable.

The landlocked nation was officially recognized as an independent country in 2011. Several international aid and development organizations are active in the country, but there remains a significant need for specific projects – such as the Rotaract Abouk School Project – that can help communities develop on their own.

Tickets for the Rotaract Dinner and Silent Auction are priced at $65 each ($40 for students), or $450 for a table of eight.

Silent auction items, gifts-in-kind and monetary donations are also appreciated. Contact rotaract@uleth.ca to purchase tickets or for additional information.

GET THE FACTS

· A brief video presentation from Makwach can be seen at vimeo.com/33668154

· The U of L Rotaract Club is a not-for-profit service club that is part of Rotary International. Its mandate is to fundraise, provide volunteers and, most importantly, raise awareness for both local and international needs

· Over the past six years, the Rotaract Club has raised more than $100,000 for projects in such varied locations as Burkina-Faso, Iqaluit and Malawi

· For more information, contact Eva Gorny, vice-president External Affairs at 403-360-3843 or e-mail rotaract@uleth.ca

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Rotaract dinner on Feb. 5

trevor.kenney — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:37:39 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Rotaract Club will hold its Sixth Annual Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Lethbridge Lodge.

Since its inception, the annual Rotaract event has raised more than $95,000 for numerous charitable organizations over the past six years. This year, the U of L Rotaract Club hopes to raise a minimum of $10,000 for the Tasiuqtigiit (Hand in Hand/Main en Main) Society, a community resource centre operating in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The evening is titled, 'Siaqtuut (See-ak-tut) – A Journey Together'.

Tasiuqtigiit (Tah-see-uck-tih-git) is a Canadian organization serving a population of more than 7,000 people. This group provides training programs such as sewing and cooking classes; makes basic resources such as milk, diapers, breast pumps and baby food available; and provides families with the opportunity to attend public health sessions and meet with nurses for post-natal checkups that are vital for newborn health.

The Rotaract group learned about the initiatives of the Tasiuqtigiit Society through Rotaractor Emily Cox, who had worked with the group for several months.

"Emily was able to see first-hand the impact that the Hand in Hand Society's services makes," says Ryan Taylor, Rotaract VP external. "Her experience gave us valuable insight into how important this organization is to the people it helps. As part of the evening, we are also expecting a video presentation from Penny Deeter, a representative from the Tasiuqitigiit Society."

Tickets for Siaqtuut (See-ak-tut) – A Journey Together are priced at $50 each or $350 for a table of eight. Dress for the event is business or semi-formal. Students may purchase a ticket for $40.

Silent auction items and monetary donations to the cause are also appreciated. Contact rotaract@uleth.ca, or visit this website: uleth.ca/~rotaract for tickets or additional information. Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m. with dinner to follow at 6 p.m.

Rotaract curling bonspiel on Saturday

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0000

As part of World Rotaract Week, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Rotaract Club will be holding its first curling bonspiel in support of the Lethbridge & Interfaith Food Banks as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Student Food Bank.

Rotaract invites the community to join them on Saturday, Mar. 13 at the Lethbridge Curling Club from 3 to 5 p.m. for a family-friendly afternoon of curling and fellowship.

"This isn't going to be a competitive event," says Rotaract vice-president administration, Samantha Gilbert. "It's just a chance for Rotaract, Rotary and community members to spend a fun afternoon together in support of local food banks."

Although this is Rotaract's first bonspiel this is not their first World Rotaract Week event. Every year Rotaract clubs from around the world commemorate the charter of the first Rotaract Club in North Carolina in 1968. Past World Rotaract Week projects have included hosting a pancake breakfast at the YWCA and picking up garbage around the U of L campus.

"We're excited to be supporting the local food banks this year, including the Student Food Bank at the U of L," says Gilbert. "Local Rotary clubs are also supporting them this month as part of Food Bank Month and we wanted to do our part."

Community members of all ages are encouraged to register their team of four by contacting rotaract@uleth.ca by Friday, Mar. 12 to register. Cost is $10/person to register, along with a non-perishable food item donation. Olympic theme costumes are encouraged, with prizes for the best costumes.

The U of L Rotaract Club is a not-for-profit service club that is part of the Rotary International.

With over 7,000 Rotaract clubs in 163 countries worldwide, the U of L Rotaract Club fundraises, volunteers and most importantly raises awareness for both local and international need.

For more information, contact Samantha Gilbert (403-715-4970).

UNews - Rotaract

Rotaract event to support emerging education

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