THE ROTARY CLUB
OF KNYSNA

Newsletter August 2008

THANK YOU TO THE CYCLE VOLUNTEERS

The Cycle Race “Thank-You Party” was held on 24 July 2008 at the Knysna Yacht Club.  More than 250 volunteers from various service organisations, the Knysna Municipality and the provincial and municipal traffic departments were thanked for their help and participation in the Cycle Race. 

Alan Warne (chairman of the Rotary Club of Knysna’s Cycle Race Committee) thanked and handed cheques to representatives of the various organisations as tokens of Rotary’s appreciation.  The Yacht Club provided delicious snacks and the perfect venue for an enjoyable evening.

VISIT FROM AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLAR, ROSE FRANCIS

We were delighted to have Ambassadorial Scholar, Rose Francis visit our Club for lunch on 5 August 2008.  Rose is from the USA and she spoke to the Club about her interest in the legal aspects of South African water quality, which is what she is currently studying at the University of Cape Town.

DENVER LE BRON INDUCTED AS INTERACT PRESIDENT

On 11 August 2008 Knysna Sekonder’s Interact President, Denver le Bron, was inducted to tremendous applause.  The enthusiasm with which their fellow pupils received the new Interact Committee made a great impression on attending Rotarians: Peter Klews, Franc Bentley, Lesley Satchel and Michelle Wasserman

WELCOME TO MICK AND CHRISTOPHER

Welcome to new members Mick Furman and Christopher Carelse!  Mick and Christopher were inducted as members of the Rotary Club of Knysna on 12 August 2008.  Mick will be part of Public Relations Committee and Christopher of New Generations

FASHION FUNDI’S OAKHILL INTERACT

Oakhill Interact Club organised and produced an outstanding Fashion Show on 14 August 2008.  This is an annual event which raises money for needy crèche’s in our area.  Well-done Oakhill Interact!

Bob Solis

INTERACTERS TRAINED AT

BELVIDERE MANOR

On Saturday 16th August 2008, our Rotary Club hosted a day of Interact Training at Belvidere Manor Hotel.  Interact members from the Southern Cape area met and were coached by some seasoned Rotarians on the way Interact meetings should be run and the roles of the various Interact office bearers.

WELL DONE DAMIAN LAHOUT

Ambassadorial Scholarships, the Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program, was founded in 1947. Since then, nearly 38,000 men and women from about 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program.

On 12 August 2008 Damian Lahout, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Knysna, was chosen as a competitive candidate Ambassadorial Scholar from a low-income country (South Africa).  He, and the other competitive candidate Ambassadorial Scholars, will be going forward to Rotary International for final selection.

WALKING BOB SOLIS

Bob Solis from Phoenix, Arizona, visited and spoke at lunch on 19 August about the work that he and his wife have done to establish an AIDS orphanage in Konga, Eastern, Cape. The orphage, The Open Arms Home for Children, began operating three years ago and currently houses 30 children in cottages, 6 children per cottage. Each cottage has a house mother, recruited from the local community and trained by Bob and his supporters.

He and his local team are hiking from Konga to Cape Town with a final ceremony to be held on Robben Island to raise funds for the home. They have now completed about half the distance and secured donations of R1.9 million against a target of R2.0 million. The funds will be used to build more cottages and he expects that, when completed, the home will be able to take in a further 50 children.

Bob is a member of the Sun City, Arizona Rotary Club. He extended the greetings of his club and exchanged banners with Club President, Peter Klews.