National Immunization Day - India

Jon and Evelyn Eichie joined us this week to offer up their story of the time they spent in India assisting with a National Immunization Day drive. They were part ot a team of Rotarians, Indian health officials and others who sought out those children who had not been voluntarily immunized yet.

Some children were not immunized because their parents did not understand the benefits. Or, they had been told false stories about the vaccine doing harm to the children. The Eichies met with local government officials in the small town where they were assisting the NID to assure their support. Jon even talked to a local religious leader and got his support for the effort.

It was hot, dirty work. The photos of the city show incedible piles of garbage, cow paddies and general filth everywhere. In the end, Jon indicated they were partially successful and added almost an additional 100 children to the list of those immunized again polio. These were the hard to get kids, those who without the efforts of the Eichies and their team and others would likely have never been immunized.

We will have the Eichies return to visit with us again...to talk about their last journey to Russia on behalf of Rotary.

Guests, Visitors and Other Good News

Saleem brought three visitors to the meeting this week: Susan May and Arora are business associates in the insurance industry and Dr. Saleemullah Khan is a medical doctor from England. Dr. Kahn is also the Chairman of the International Foundation of Mother and Child Health which is working to establish health care and delivery facilities in some of the poorest areas of Pakistan. You can learn more about the Foundation on their website. Dr. Kahn presented President Bola with a special gift in recognition of her service to the club.

Saleem also reported talking with Sultana. She is having therapy for her back problems and is beginning to feel much better. She hopes to come visit the club soon.

Bola had all those club members in attendance draw the name of another club member. This will be their "Buddie" for the year. Object being that buddies will contact their buddie if they miss a meeting just to make certain everything is OK.

District Membership Assembly
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009 at 8:00am - 1:00pm
North Shore Senior High School
353 North Castlegory
Houston, TX 77049

August is Membership Month, a special time of the year when the entire Rotary family focuses on Membership Recruitment & Retention. What better way to kick-start your membership efforts than attending the District Membership Seminar at North Shore Senior High. Registration starts at 8:00AM; Seminar 8:55AM - 1:00pm

Our District Membership Chair, Ibrahim "Abby" Abou-Awdi, has developed an agenda of top speakers who will offer creative and innovative ideas to help your club meet its March 31, 2010 target.  Take this opportunity to spend quality time with District leaders, your Asst Governor and your Area Membership Chair.

ALL club members are encouraged to attend this special event. There is a charge of $10, but this is waived for spouses and children of Rotarians and for those who have been Rotary members for less than a year.

More news to follow.

Coming Up at Rotary