TO CELEBRATE the efforts of the Rotary Club of Berrima District and its connection with Nepal, Nepalese Consul General Deepak Khadka made a special visit to the club’s meeting on Wednesday.
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The club’s connections with the country have been through the sponsorship of eye clinics and the recent construction of an award-winning school.
At the meeting, Rotarians Grant Hannaford and Shelley Boyce spoke on their experiences in helping those in Nepal.
Mr Hannaford and his wife, Thao, have run five eye clinics in Nepal and Mongolia since 2005.
With a team of volunteers, the Hannafords test eyes, provide spectacles and refer to surgical facilities when necessary.
In that time they have seen more than 50,000 patients.
Recently, a teaching facility was also started in Nepal, training locals to treat eyes.
Meanwhile, after a school in Baal Joyti was destroyed, club member Shelley Boyce inspired her club members to assist in the rebuilding.
Together with Nepalese counterparts, the club raised funds and local villagers provided materials and labour.
Ms Boyce said the school would service more than 300 children.
“Little did I know this type of work would form a firm hold on my heart,” Ms Boyce said.
Club president Henk den Hertog said the Prime Minister of Nepal was so impressed with the project he authorised additional funding and decided the building and its method of construction should be adopted as a model for another 56,000 schools in Nepal.
Ms Boyce’s project also won a Rotary award for international service.
Mr Khadka addressed the meeting and thanked the club for its efforts.
He explained how he was raised in similar conditions to the areas the club was assisting in and said the communities were thankful for their assistance in providing education and medication.
“I’m extremely happy to learn the club has been giving support to Nepal,” he said.
“I have always believed there is no substitute to education.
“Nothing else would be more appreciated than such an act by the club.
“I feel very proud of being present at this meeting today.”
The Nepalese projects of the Rotary Club of Berrima District depend on co-operation between our locals and the people of Nepal, Mr den Hertog said.
“They support international understanding and goodwill and reflect the spirit of Rotary,” he said.
“It is good to know about our local contribution in the year which marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Nepal.”
