Rotary changing lives in Vanuatu and beyond with community-driven projects

August 31, 2024 4:18 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Julia Charley.

Hello and welcome to Kava mo Kajap. I’m Julia Charley, and today I’m joined by Roland Mortimer, President of the Rotary Club in Port Vila, Vanuatu, part of Rotary International District 9910.

First off, could you tell us a little about the Rotary Club in Port Vila?

Our club is part of Rotary International, which focuses on seven key causes. These include promoting world peace, fighting diseases, providing clean water, improving sanitation, rescuing mothers and children, investing in education, and supporting local businesses and farming. Recently, we’ve also begun addressing climate change.

What sets us apart from other charities is that we have no management fees. Rotarians volunteer their time, so nearly 100% of donations go directly to materials and expertise. When we need skills beyond our own, we bring in community experts.

The Rotary Club has helped many mothers, children, and communities. Could you elaborate on that?

Many people are inspired to contribute to local projects through Rotary. For instance, one Rotary Club in Victoria has revamped a children’s ward in their hospital, including plans for an outdoor playground. Another example is the Victory School of Hope, which has received support from Rotary clubs in America and New Zealand. These clubs have built classrooms, fences, and toilets, and they return repeatedly because they see the tangible impact of their work.

Australian clubs frequently reach out to explore ways they can assist. In Vanuatu, there’s no shortage of projects needing support. With numerous Rotary and associated organisations eager to help, cost is no longer a major concern. Instead, the challenge is identifying and managing these projects effectively.

How many members are there in the Port Vila Rotary Club?

Our club is thriving with 42 members, striking a balance and capable of handling big projects. It’s great to hear about the positive impact Dr Orelly Thyna is already making, especially with her experience in medical cases and Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC).

The support you provide through ROMAC is truly impressive—sending children and their families abroad for treatment, along with interpreters, shows a deep level of care and commitment. Managing all these details to ensure each case gets the necessary support must be challenging, but it sounds like you are handling it exceptionally well. We usually ask what people should know more about the Rotary Club. What can you tell people who need your help?

Finding the right Rotarian for each project is crucial. Dr Thyna, with her medical expertise, is a perfect fit for medical cases, while others in the club—like former nurses and engineers—bring valuable skills for specific needs. For instance, your water supply project demonstrates innovative thinking: using a roof to catch rainwater and then adapting the space for different purposes, like a medical centre or a classroom, is a smart and versatile approach. This flexibility ensures that resources are used efficiently, meeting various community needs as they arise.

How long did the project in Tassiriki, Moso Island take?

After a week of setup and painting during a long weekend in Tassiriki, the Rotarians not only completed the initial tasks but also built strong connections with the local community. This led to additional needs being identified, such as installing toilets, which further extended our impact.

The approach to water catchment and other projects often results in even more benefits than initially planned. By building these relationships, our club is creating a network of support between Australian clubs and Vanuatu communities. This collaborative effort not only accomplishes immediate goals but also builds lasting partnerships and mutual assistance.

Are there any unfortunate cases where the Rotary Club was too late to act?

Yes, that is why I am speaking with the Vanuatu Daily Post to raise awareness about our work. We want people to see what we do and reach out if they need help. One tragic example is Joe Harry, a kind and cheerful boy with a heart condition. Despite his inability to play aggressive sports, he enjoyed supporting others from the sidelines. We arranged for him to get treatment in New Zealand, but by the time he arrived, it was too late—doctors said he wouldn’t survive. We tried to fulfil his dream of flying by arranging flights with local aviators, but sadly, we lost him. This experience highlighted the need for early intervention, which is why we want to be featured in the newspaper. We hope to connect with those in need before it’s too late.

Are adults also eligible for the treatments that children receive?

It’s tougher with adults because our main resource is ROMAC, which covers its own costs and reimburses us for what we spend. If someone else approached us, we would need to assess it carefully. ROMAC is a large organisation with specific procedures. For individual cases outside ROMAC, we would have to find the funds ourselves, which can be challenging given the high costs of surgery. We don’t have unlimited resources, so we seek additional funding from others, but by the time we secure it, some people have already suffered. We aim to offer some assistance where we can, but we can’t replace government support or handle every situation.

The case for Saint Jeanne D’Arc, where students are having classes in tents—how can you help?

Yes, for now, we can assist because we’ve only heard from a few schools. We are currently helping those that have reached out in the past week. We’re sending teams to assess their needs, and clubs in Australia are eager to help. I’m coordinating by informing them which schools need assistance. The clubs are ready to act once we specify the requirements. However, our resources aren’t unlimited. Additionally, a group from the Victory School of Hope in America has arrived to explore further opportunities to support our efforts. They’re here now and actively involved.

There’s a big event in October. Could you tell us a little bit about that?

Different groups have catered for the local rodeo in the past, but this year the Rotary Club is taking on the challenge, aiming to make it a great success and hopefully an annual event. We are excited about raising funds for ProMedical, a valuable organisation supporting Vanuatu.

This year’s rodeo, hosted by our Rotary Club, will be held on the second weekend of October. We’re gearing up for a huge event, comparable in scale to our former race days, with two action-packed days. We’ve already lined up volunteers and are eagerly anticipating the big event.

What can you say to encourage people to reach out for help or to join Rotary?

Rotary International is a massive organisation with 1.4 million members and over 460,000 clubs worldwide—more than McDonald’s locations. We aim to spread the word through local media, hoping people will recognise the value of our work. Whether seeking help or wanting to contribute to the community, joining Rotary offers opportunities to make a difference and forge new friendships.

Additionally, being a Rotarian opens doors globally. Wherever you travel, you are invited to local Rotary meetings, where you can connect with fellow Rotarians and get insider tips on everything from fishing spots to nightlife. It’s like having a network of friends almost anywhere you go.