The youngest one showed to us that we can count on them to help the poor.  During the collection of non-perishable food at supermar

ket in the south, the  Rotary club of Rose Belle was surprised to see the generosity of the south people.

Fabien Thisbe, 1 and a half years old and Ansley Annia, 13 years old (MGI)  living at Plaigne Magnien and Nouvelle France respectively showed their generosity by contributing towards helping the poor.

They have been waiting for it since their admission as potential member. D-day was here: Saturday 5th March was their night, their memorable night. On that day, the Rotaract of Rose-Belle was officially launched with fourteen young adults ready to “lead the change”, a statement which supports the logo of their Rotaract Club.

On this occasion, the Rotaractians had the privilege of receiving their pins from ADG Allen, PP Jackie Devienne and France Augustin, President of the Rotary Club of Rose-Belle. Accompanied by their parents and some guests, the Rotaractians shared this moment with some others Rotaractians of other clubs who had come to support them.

On this occasion, in their speeches, ADG Allen and PP Jackie put emphasis on the fact that the work really starts now. They congratulated the parents for encouraging their sons and daughters to adhere to the club.

President Girish Seewoosungkur then presented the members of his team and their respective roles in the Club. He then with the help of Rotarian Roshan launched officially the website of the Club. With this, the official function was over. It was now time to have dinner.

The dinner took place in a convivial atmosphere. We had a special treat; everyone had the chance to listen to the fantastic voice of Jane, daughter of Rotarian Tony who has for sure made this night more than ever an unforgettable one.

As is the custom, the party ended on the dancing floor.

Denise n’éclaire plus sa maison à l’aide de bougies et Cyndia Adélaïde, elle, n’a plus à parcourir des kilomètres pour aller chercher de l’eau potable pour sa famille. Depuis juillet dernier, les deux femmes ont accès à des facilités qu’elles considéraient jusqu’ici comme des privilèges. Les projets Water for Life et Light for Life – une initiative du Rotary Club de Rose-Belle – mis en œuvre à Camp Ramdin, dans la région agricole de Cluny, a permis à trois familles vivant dans la précarité d’accéder gratuitement à l’eau et à l’électricité.“J’habite ici depuis 10 ans et ma maison n’est pas connectée à l’électricité. Pendant toutes ces années j’ai eu recours aux bougies pour m’éclairer”, confie Denise (52 ans), qui vit dans une pièce. L’installation d’un petit panneau photovoltaïque d’une capacité de 10 volts lui permet désormais de remplacer les bougies par une ampoule type économique. Avec l’eau, l’électricité fait partie des besoins prioritaires des bénéficiaires, identifiés par le Rotary Club de Rose-Belle. L’installation de plaques photovoltaïques et de réservoirs, indique France Augustin, s’inscrit dans la mission sociale du club qu’il préside. Et cette mission, dit-il, agit par ricochet comme une mesure préventive. “Avec le temps, les murs des maisons où nous avons installé les plaques photovoltaïques ont noirci, conséquence des flammes des bougies et des lampes. L’arrivée de l’électricité diminuera les risques d’incendie et problèmes respiratoires”, précise France Augustin. Cependant, la faible capacité en énergie des plaques ne peut alimenter qu’une ampoule. Mais grâce à cette installation, qui dispose d’une autonomie de 8 heures, les bénéficiaires du club service concèdent qu’ils font aussi des économies. “L’argent qu’on dépensait pour l’achat des bougies sert à autre chose”, dit l’une d’elles.

Les trois foyers de Camp Ramdin, dont celui de Denise, dispose désormais d’un réservoir, lequel est alimenté par un système de récupération d’eau de pluie. D’une capacité de 1000 litres, chaque réservoir comprend un deuxième système de filtrage pour la consommation. Toutefois, les averses s’étant fait rares ces derniers temps, les réservoirs sont presque à sec. Par ailleurs, le Rotary Club de Rose-Belle, souhaite que les instances gouvernementales interviennent auprès des familles de Camp Ramdin. Car même si certains membres bénéficient d’aide sociale ou sont employés dans les champs avoisinants, il demeure que ces familles vivent dans des conditions de pauvreté où les sanitaires sont inexistants. Mère de quatre enfants, Cyndia Adélaïde (28 ans) a, quant à elle, déscolarisé trois d’entre eux. L’aîné n’a que 11 ans. Après Cluny, le club service étendra son soutien, aux familles de Beemanique.

Week-End Dimanche 3 Octobre 2010 – Page 23

During his visit on the 1st September to the Rotary Club of Rose-Belle, the DG Andrianome RANARIVELO has planted the Bois d’ébène de l’île aux Aigrettes (Diospyros egrettarum), endemic plant. This plant has been donated by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

Official Visit of District Governor Andrianome RANARIVELO to the Rotary Club of Rose-Belle on the 1st September 2010

On 17 July 2010, Members of the Rotary & Rotaract Clubs of Rose Belle visited an absolute poverty cluster, at Béemanique, Cluny. The aim of the visit was to assess the conditions in which the families live.  They have been occupying the abandoned labourers’ houses.

The first couple lives in a shack of about 9 m², with a door as the sole opening. Inside, there is a makeshift bed, a battered armchair and a table on which lies a few cooking utensils. On query, we found out that they take turn sleeping – when one sleeps on the ‘bed’ the other occupies the armchair.

The second family comprises of a couple and three children, aged 10, 6 and 3 years respectively. None of the children attend school. The couple cannot afford to send their children to school, due to financial constraints. The exterior of the lodging is covered with moss. Inspection of the interior revealed a gaping hole in the corrugated roofing, devoured by corrosion, a termite nest and a moldy wall. Two children were sleeping on a rusted metallic bed with a sponge mattress. A few cooking utensils were scattered here and there.

It has been assessed that there is a complete lack of basic amenities, no water, no electricity, very poor sanitation.

As a first step towards ‘building communities’, the Club has offered tanks to these families tanks for collecting rain water, and water filters. In addition, the couple occupying the 9 m² has been offered with a light bulb powered by a small solar panel.

Organised by:

The Rotary Club of Rose-Belle in collaboration with the Thalassemia Society and Blood Donors Association

Rationale:

Thalassemia is the name of a group of genetic, inherited disorders of the blood. More specifically, it is a disorder of the haemoglobin molecule inside the red blood cells. It is an inherited genetic disease i.e. a disease that is passed from parents to children through the genes (genetic). It is not infectious and cannot be passed on from one individual to the other by personal or any other contact, nor through blood, transfusion food or air.

More on Thalassemia Click here >>

Treatment

Persons suffering from Thalassemia require regular blood transfusion every 3 weeks or so, throughout life.

Mauritius Facts

• About 100 patients requiring regular transfusion
• Exact number of carriers not known
• Generally, people know little or not at all about disorder

Problem

1. Thalassemia patients needs frequent blood transfusion and there is not enough blood available for them.
2. Thalassemia patients have additional complications when they do blood transfusion from many different blood donors.
3. Risk of a multiplying effect resulting more Thalassemia patients in Mauritius.
4. Mauritian has very poor knowledge about this problem.

Objective

1. Blood Donation day at Vieux Moulin Centre, Rose-Belle
2. Collect 100 pint of blood on that day
3. Register 20 dedicated donors for Thalassemia patients
4. Thalassemia Awareness

Programme of the Day: 21^st Aug 2010

Venue: Vieux Moulin Commercial Centre

10:00 – Opening of the blood donation activity

By        Dr Mrs Janaki Soonoo – Thalassemia Society

Mr Ashish Purmanund – Blood Donors Association

• Blood Donation Caravan
• Face Painting
• Live Animation
• Quiz
• Information Desk Thalassemia

18:00 – Thanks

By        President France Augustin – Rotary Club of Rose-Belle

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It was a different Saturday at the Vieux Moulin Commercial Centre on the 21^st of August 2010. It all started in the same way when suddenly we heard some 30 children shouting the words “Done to disan, sauve ene lavi” – Give your blood, save a life.  The children disguised in their funny costumes walked along the main road of Rose-Belle to create awareness of the Blood Donation Activity and Thalassemia.

Before 10 30 we got our first donor you voluntarily came and get in the blood donation caravan. From then, it never stopped. With the cool music, jokes and quizzes in the background Rotarians, Rotaractians and friends started a canvassing campaign to convince people of the importance of donating blood and becoming a dedicated donor for Thalassemia.

The day ended in a very successful count of 80 pints from 109 donors, with 18 dedicated donors for Thalassemia.

Thanks for making a difference.