We are delighted to announce that Rotary is alive and well and, following the inauguration of the first Interact Club in the Algarve, will be in excellent hands in the future. More than 50 Rotarians and friends joined together in Tavira to witness an historic occasion, when District Governor (District 1960) Luis Miguel Duarte joined with other dignitaries from Rotary and Tavira Câmara, as Rotary Interact was installed.
Interact is the part of Rotary’s service club which caters for the 12-18 year olds. The event on Saturday indicated to all concerned that there is true commitment from these young people to be part of a service club, even at their young age. There will be a full report on Tavira Interact early in the New Year.
November was a busy month for Rotary clubs across the Algarve with District Governor Luis Miguel Duarte making his official visits to many clubs.
 District Governor Luis Miguel Duarte speaking at the joint dinner |
 |
Supporting the young and not so young
During his visit to Almancil International Rotary Club, the DG took time out to visit ASCA, the day centre in Almancil, as well as School E2,3B in Almancil where the students had prepared an excellent lunch, and following this lunch the students who had taken part all received certificates.
Rotary supporting the Food Bank
As part of the DG’s visit to Estoi Palace International Rotary Club, Luis Miguel Duarte was able to witness the work being undertaken by the club to support the Food Bank. In particular, the club is raising funds to purchase a refrigerated lorry which will complement the work already being carried out by the Food Bank, but with the obvious addition of being able to transport perishable food items.
End Polio Now Campaign
At a joint dinner between RC Silves and the Almancil and Estoi Clubs, held at the Conrad Hotel, Quinta do Lago, Luís Miguel spoke animatedly about the incredible success achieved by Rotary International in its programme to End Polio Now.
No new case of polio has been registered in the last eight weeks and there are just three countries in which polio is still ‘active’ – Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria – and even in these countries it is believed that this disease will soon disappear.
Luis Miguel stated that providing funds and vaccines, as well as medical and voluntary staff to ensure the eradication of polio, had only been possible through Rotary International’s initiatives. He went on to say that he very much hoped that we would truly be able to celebrate the disease’s eradication in June 2013 in Lisbon when Portugal is the host country for Rotary’s International Convention.
Sheena Rawcliffe, President of RC Silves, said that this was a very important cause for her, as she has a cousin who suffered from polio 60 years ago. “He could be viewed as one of the ‘lucky ones’, as despite having had to spend some considerable time in an iron lung, he went on to lead a normal life – with the exception of having to use walking aids”. Funds raised at Rotary meetings, from the sale of the Algarve Resident, have been donated to this very worthwhile cause.
General support
Meanwhile, Almancil, Estoi and Silves Clubs all continue with their unrelenting support of various charities and good causes in the Algarve and internationally.
As previously mentioned Estoi Club has focused this Rotary year on raising funds to purchase a lorry for the Food Bank – a huge project and one which will enable the less well off to receive food stuffs across the Algarve.
Almancil Club has spent much of its time and effort in supporting ASCA in Almancil – a day centre, which offers great support to many lonely and needy people in the area – as well as working with young people, encouraging them to think positively about their future, no matter what their background is.
Silves Club continues to support the children’s home at Alvor – Bom Samaritano. RC Silves is grateful to its twin clubs in England (RC Matlock) and RC Novato in the USA for their donations allowing all youngsters at the home to return to school with new bags and books and for the provision of new bed sheets for all the children. RC Silves will be providing the children with a Christmas party and small gifts next week. Continuing with their support of needy youngsters, RC Silves will also be supplying basic items needed by Castelho dos Sonhos in Silves for the young people in their care.
And so to the future
There has never been a more challenging time to be a Rotarian with so many people in need.
Almancil, Estoi and Silves Rotary Clubs thank you all for supporting the various and many events which we have put on over the past six months. Please keep supporting Rotary and if you would like to know more about being a Rotarian just let us know.
We and our club members wish you and those close to you a warm, safe and Happy Christmas.
