Jan. 20th, 2005 - At our meeting yesterday, our Treasurer, Ron Weir, announced that an additional $500 US had been wire transferred to the Rotary Club of Chennai Kilpauk to help them provide toys for children who are survivors of the tsunami. The funds used came from donations to the club by people in the community and not from club funds. This decision was taken by our club's executive in response to a plea for assistance from Hari Rattan of the RC of Chennai Kilpauk. The Rotary Club of Escondido, California matched our funds so the Indian Rotarians received another $1,000 US in the space of a few hours. Shows the humanity of Rotarians and the power of the Internet.

Dec. 29th, 2004 - The Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise is working with its Sister Club, the RC of Chennai-Kilpauk, in India, to help the victims of the Dec. 26th tsunami. Sunrise President Chip Ross contacted Chennai’s Hari Ratan to offer help. Ratan, of Chennai-Kilpauk, accepted the offer on behalf of his club.

Ratan writes:
”What is happening to relief work in Chennai and nearby areas is a matter of concern. There is lots of food and clothing but little else. Many times the food is reaching the same people again and again, some people are getting more relief than others and some are waiting patiently hoping that something will happen to brighten their day. I think everyone is waiting and watching.”

Chennai-Kilpauk met yesterday to develop plans to reach out to people in remote areas and to provide family building kits to the affected. They are putting together a kit for each family: sleeping mats, a stove, some provisions, utensils and so on. They hope to get this out to the people within the next few days. They are also looking ahead to identify what needs to be done on the long term. Many people are sleeping under the open sky and there has been a request for roofing sheets. They are exploring and doing this fast and reaching out to as many as they can in the shortest possible time. They are working closely with other agencies to ascertain what they need to do and then reach out where they can.

Strathcona Sunrise met today to discuss fund-raising strategies. They expect to be able to begin sending funds to their Sister Club in short order.

For more information about this project, or to make a financial contribution, call Chip Ross at 336-8377 or email him at Chip.Ross@Shaw.ca

Jan 6th Radio Spot    LISTEN Rotary Club of Chennai Kilpauk BLOG (Online Journal ) Report from A Report from Peggy Carswell in Chennai

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