Updated 13 May 2008

“The Rotary eClub of District 3310 has initiated a fund raising drive to buy Rotary ShelterBox for the cyclones victims in Myanmar. In respond to that drive, the Rotary Club of Kuching Central board of directors unanimously approved the purchase of two units of ShelterBox amounting to US$2,000. The money shall be remitted to the Rotary Club of Kulai who is collecting the funds donated by the Malaysian Rotary Clubs.

ShelterBox (see http://www.shelterbox.org) is registered charity organisation setup and operated by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom. They were set up in 2001 and have helped more than 500,000 people and worked in more than 40 countries responding to natural disasters.

As of 9th May 2008, representatives from ShelterBox were already in Myanmar distributing 620 ShelterBoxes. More ShelterBoxes are required.

Each ShelterBox (as shown below) contains tent, groundsheets, blankets, stove, tools, axe, cooking pots, mosquito nets etc which represent basic survival kit which can be used by the victims of the natural disaster.”

Updated 10 December 2007

A team of volunteers comprising of 7 members of the Rotary Club of Kuching Central and 14 medical personnel departed Kuching for Kapit to embark on a noble cause of providing free eye screening and free spectacles to the Kapit community.

The medical team members at Meligai Hotel, Kapit attending briefing by organising chairman prior to the start of the project

The group departed Kuching for Sibu via AirAsia on 16 October 2007 and from Sibu they took an express boat leaving Sibu at 12.30pm on the same day. They arrived in Kapit at around 3.45pm.

Part of the team arriving in Sibu from Kapit

Part of the team at Kuching International Airport leaving for Sibu

The project team in the Hugsvana Express boat on a 3-hour journey from Sibu to Kapit

The project was scheduled from 17-18 October 2008 from 8.30am until 5pm was officiated by YB Alexander Nanta Linggi at Meligai Hotel, Kapit.

The team was led by the project organizing chairman Past President Hj Andre Suharto of the Rotary Club of Kuching Central. The medical personnel comprises of optometrists, ophthalmologists, general practioner, sisters, nurses and paramedics from Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak General Hospital, Sibu, Serian, Sri Aman hospitals as well as Kapit District Hospital.

Christopher Ngu giving a helping hand to write the number on the next queue

The team operated from the conference room of Meligai Hotel, Kapit.

The project was jointly organized between the Rotary Club of Kuching Central and Kapit Life Care Society where the latter is responsible in providing site preparatory works and awareness.

Dr Faisal (from Pakistan) performing eyes check on a patient

Dr Mallika (from India) performing eyes check on a patient

“This project has been sponsored by many entities such as the Association of Malaysian Optometrists which provided the spectacles frames, Euro Lens (M) Sdn Bhd which provided the lenses for the spectacles, the Sarawak Health Department for providing most of the medical personnel, the Rotary Clubs of Bandar Seri Begawan, Singapore, Malacca and Taipei Golden Eagle for their monetary contributions as well as YB Alexander Nanti Linggi for sponsoring the hotel rooms for the project team members at Meligai Hotel”, said PP Hj Andre Suharto.

Optometrist Amit Buang from Serian Hospital was also in the team

Andre said, “My project organizing committee members and I are happy and excited that this project received tremendous responses from many NGOs, individuals, companies and as well as other Rotary Clubs to support this project.”

Part of the Kapit community queuing for registration number on the 1st day

There were 590 people whose eyes were screened during the two days of operations. 38 of them were detected to have matured cataracts; 11 with immatured cataracts, 33 are required for further referrals in either Kapit or Kuching Hospitals and 288 were discharged.

PP Kho Ping busy distributing water to waiting patients. He was also the official cameraman for the project

A total of 219 spectacles were given out. Our initial budget was to donate 100 pairs of spectacles.

Optometrist Lim Poh Lai from KL adjusting free spectacles on a patient

Optometrists Mariana Doleb and Lim Poh Lai trying out the free spectacles during break time

These spectacles will be delivered to Kapit District Hospital for collections by the respective recipients in two batches dated 17 December and 3 January 2008.

Rtn Thomas Ngu was stunned seeing the number of people turning up for the eyes screening

We will now raise more money to look into the possibility of performing free eye cataract operations for the 38 people who were detected with matured cataracts.

IPP Chai Ko Jee and Norhanim of Sibu Hospital performing vision tests

Nurses from Kapit District Hospital busy doing patients registrations

Kapit town from the hill

All volunteers and sponsors were given a certificate of recognition handed out by YB Alexander Nanta Linggi.

YB Alexander Nanta Linggi (2nd right) being briefed by PP Hj Andre Suharto. Also in the picture Wong How Ching & President Leslie

Mr Wong How Ching, Chairman of Kapit Life Care Society, presented with a certificate of recognition by YB Alexandar Linggi

YB Alexander Linggi presenting a 'Pua Kumbu' cloth to President Leslie Phuan of R C Kuching Central as a toke of appreciation

It was indeed a successful project and one that has inspired every one in the project team.

A sightseeing trip after the project was completed

Updated 30 September 2007

On the morning of 9 September 2007, a fund raising jogathon was successfully concluded by the club members, family, Interactors and Rotaractors at the Kasuma Resort complex.

It started at around 7.30am with preparatory works. The weather was perfect too.

Photo 1: PP Polycarp Teo Sebom smilingly receiving the trophy from President Leslie Phuan for being the overall champion

Overall champion from the club was none other than our Yoga Guru, PP Polycarp Teo Sebom, who is fitter than his age. Therefore it was not surprising that he came out as the overall champion.

Photo 2: Rotarians with their respective families turning up eagerly for the jogathon

First runner-up was President Leslie Phuan followed by PP Aw Tai Hui and IPP Chai Ko Jee.

As of the publication of this news, we have collected nearly RM6,000 of funds. There are still 10 cards which are yet to be returned. We hope to raise RM10,000.

Photo 3: Rotarians and families having breakfast after the jogathon.

After the prize giving ceremony, the Rotarians and families proceeded for breakfast.