Rotarians in Anguilla, St. Maarten and from the Rotary Club of Vero Beach Sunrise, Florida, joined in celebrating the 105th Anniversary of Rotary International at Government House, Old Ta, on Tuesday evening, February 23.

Rotarians from Anguilla, St. Maarten and Florida with Governor Harrison, Government Officials and invited guests

The meeting was called to order by Master of Ceremonies, Rotarian Calvert Carty, who said the world-wide community organisation was focusing its attention on the eradication of polio as part of its anniversary celebration. In addition, the Rotarians also celebrated the first matching grant by the Anguilla Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Vero Beach in Florida to the tune of over US$30,000 worth of repair equipment, as well as other supplies, including computers, to be used by the W.I.S.E. Programme in Anguilla. W.I.S.E (Workshop Initiative for Support in Education) is a facility at the Old Cottage Hospital which provides practical educational activities for challenged students, under the leadership of Programme Coordinator, Gabriele Klaren, assisted by a number of other personnel.

The formal welcome of the Rotarians to Government House was delivered by Governor Alistair Harrison. He drew attention to the need to eradicate polio which was still a deadly threat to some parts of the world and said that Rotary International’s efforts in this regard were very important. He praised the work of Rotary in Haiti which has been terribly affected by the recent earthquake. “This is a tremendous example of the way in which Rotary International is making a difference day in, day out, and week in and week out,” he added.

Rotarians from Anguilla, St. Maarten and Florida with Governor Harrison, Government Officials and invited guests

President of Rotary Anguilla, Lindell Brooks, spoke extensively on The Rotary Foundation and PolioPlus. He revealed that Rotary International, with the assistance of a grant of US$255 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was now committing a total of US$555 million to the eradication of polio world-wide.

Rotarian Louis Wever, Assistant Rotary District Governor in St. Maarten, spoke on the organisation’s contribution to Haiti, and Rotarian Ralph Smith of the Rotary Club of Anguilla spoke on the matching grant to W.I.S.E. referred to earlier. Two other speakers were Gabriele Klaren, who provided information on the W.I.S.E. programme and the great impact it was making on the children there; and Mrs. Rhonda Connor of the Education Department who thanked everyone in Anguilla, and from the Rotary Club of Vero Beach, who contributed to the programme.

Section of Rotarians and other invited guests

Newly-appointed Minister of Social Development, Edison Baird, encouraged members of the public to visit the Old Cottage Hospital to see the W.I.S.E programme in action. “The Rotary Club has done a very good job in helping these students who are more inclined to use their hands. They are very good students and many years ago they would have been forgotten about,” Mr. Baird stated. “We are happy that this programme has taken on board their needs and is doing a very good job in making them important members of society.”

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Rotarian Seymour Hodge.

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