Rotary Club of Yeo Vale
Chartered 1986
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© Rotary Club of Yeo Vale 2011 Registered Charity Number 297516
YEO VALE & THE MUFULIRA STORY
(article by Dr Tony Simmonds, President of Yeo Vale Rotary Club 2010-2011)
The story starts almost 15 years ago with a Church link between South Somerset in the Diocese of Bath & Wells and the Northern Province Anglican Dioceses of Zambia. A further link developed between the Church and the emerging Cary-Mufulira Partnership formed to foster Educational and Cultural relationships between the two countries. It just so happened that the treasurer of this organisation was our own Rotary Treasurer, Chris Chapman. He foresaw the potential of our Rotary Club being involved with Zambia and Mufulira (Zambia Copper belt) in particular. Chris together with his fellow Rotarians in Yeo Vale and in Mufulira succeeded in securing two Rotary Matching Grants which have served the Mufulira Community.
A subsequent visit by Terry Kimpton (a member of the Yeo Vale club) cemented relationships between the two clubs to the extent that we are unofficial twins. We have been fortunate that the Cary-Mufulira Trust has also developed regular visits…the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ being the Student Exchange which has been a resounding success.
2007 gave me the opportunity to visit Zambia for the first time together with my daughter Philippa. The dedication of the local teachers motivated me to continue and to further develop our relationship with this inspiring and deserving community. Four visits later my enthusiasm remains undiminished - to the extent that our annual charitable visits have continued. We are now working together on a third major project for which we are applying to Rotary Foundation for another Matching Grant.
In 2008 two medics and a nurse accompanied me. The medical experience has prompted a working relationship with medics in Mufulira. One of those, Charles Chiponda, is the current President of Mufulira Rotary Club. From my first visit Kamuchanga Hospital has had a major impact on me; the sheer challenge that weighs heavily on the shoulders of the doctors and nurses is immense and our support cannot be underestimated. Is it a coincidence that Charles Chiponda has now taken the post of Medical Director to hopefully change the fortunes of this needy hospital?
One personal gratification is that this year my wife Wendy came for her third visit and we were accompanied by my son James for his first visit. The impression left with both of them has been unforgettable. The phrase ‘Life Changing ‘is rather dramatic but not far off the mark.
There has been a broad area of support given by our club across the Health, Educational & Community sectors. Schools and Clinics have benefitted in the rural locations as well as the urban environment.
And so to the future:
There will be a Rotary Group Study Exchange visit to Zambia next year and one hopes that the participants will be inspired to create further links. I hope that our own club will see the value of our past efforts and remain supportive in the future.
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