The newsletter discusses Rotary's focus on basic education and literacy. It provides statistics showing the benefits of education, such as reduced poverty and maternal mortality. While literacy rates are rising, many children worldwide are still out of school or lack basic reading skills. The newsletter describes local projects supported by Rotary clubs that provide books, food, and other resources to schools and preschools in South Africa. These initiatives aim to improve access to education and support for basic needs.

1. President Shirley Downie
SEPTEMBER 2018
NEWSLETTER
As an educator, I take every
opportunity that awards me to
share knowledge with people I
meet – whether I am training
or chatting about bees!
Basic education and literacy is
one of Rotary’s six areas of
focus.
Basic education and literacy
are essential for reducing
poverty, improving health,
encouraging community and
economic development, and
promoting peace.
If all women completed
primary education, there would
be 66% fewer maternal
deaths.
A child born to a mother who
can read is 50% more likely to
survive past the age of five.
If all students in low-income
countries left school with basic
reading skills, 171 million
people could be lifted out of
poverty, which would be
equivalent to a 12% cut in
world poverty.
According to a 2014 United
Nations Millennium
Development Goals progress
report, literacy rates among
adults and youths are on the
rise and the gender gap in
literacy is narrowing.
But pressing global needs
remain: 58 million children
worldwide are out of school.
Even after four years of
primary schooling, as many as
250 million children cannot
read and write and 781 million
adults are illiterate.
The Eclub supports the
Humanitarian Centre of
Southern Africa D9400 by
handing out approximately 75
invitation letters annually to
various organisations to collect
books and linen from the
Without Education there is no Nation!
Many books have been
handed to schools and
community members by our
club members.
So, pop in and get a handful of
books and distribute them. Our
international members can
perhaps collect books locally
and distribute them to the
needy.
Let us know about your
project?
SHIRLEY DOWNIE
Club President 2018-2019
1
As an educator, I take every
opportunity that awards me to
share knowledge with people I
meet – whether I am training
or chatting about bees!
Basic education and literacy is
one of Rotary’s six areas of
focus.
Basic education and literacy
are essential for reducing
poverty, improving health,
encouraging community and
economic development, and
promoting peace.
If all women completed
primary education, there would
be 66% fewer maternal
deaths.
A child born to a mother who
can read is 50% more likely to
survive past the age of five.
If all students in low-income
countries left school with basic
reading skills, 171 million
people could be lifted out of
poverty, which would be
equivalent to a 12% cut in
world poverty.
According to a 2014 United
Nations Millennium
Development Goals progress
report, literacy rates among
adults and youths are on the
rise and the gender gap in
literacy is narrowing.
But pressing global needs
remain: 58 million children
worldwide are out of school.
Even after four years of
primary schooling, as many as
250 million children cannot
read and write and 781 million
adults are illiterate.
The Eclub supports the
Humanitarian Centre of
Southern Africa D9400 by
handing out approximately 75
invitation letters annually to
various organisations to collect
books and linen from the
centre in Bedfordview.

2. Projects
2
Thusanang tells a story of sustainability
Like all good Marico stories,
the story of the Marico
Mountainbike Classic started
in the distant past, and it has
been carried on the winds of
the dry Bushveld, to be
around forever.
It started with a friendship
between the de Bruyn
family, then living in
Rustenburg, and Egbert and
Santa van Bart.
The de Bruyns, Chris and
Lucia were keen mountain
bikers, and started exploring
possible routes in the kloofs
surrounding the Marico
River.
A joint venture with the local
branch of NG Welsyn and
the Hervormde Kerk Diens
van Barmhartigheid led to
the first Marico Mountainbike
Classic in 2002. In those
days there was no Herman
Charles Bosman terrain, and
they made use of the NG
Kerk facilities, with beer
being sold on the adjacent
undeveloped HCB terrain.
There was a small hand
painted sign at the gate
between the two terrains
stating "Geen alkohol
toegelaat op Kerkterrein".
Some wisecrack cyclist
added "Behalwe
nagmaalwyn" at the bottom
of the sign.
The Rustenburg Rotary Club
took over the project in
2006. Its fortunes have
fluctuated with that of
Rustenburg, with a
maximum of about 350
entries, to a low of about 110
entries.
The 60 km route is
extremely technical.
See next page
s extremely technical, and it
was never meant to be an
event for the masses. But
the Marico itself has always
The route....
Rustenburg Rotary President George Zozi with the father and daughter duo who
completed the 20 km route on a tandem. They were rewarded with a Mampoer and
Coke trophy.
Coffee
and
Rooster
koek on
the fire,
Oom
Schalk
Lourens
presiding
.
Some of the cyclists
In action.

3. Projects
Continued from previous page
It was never meant to be an
event for the masses, but the
Marico itself has always
shunned the masses, actively
deciding not to become
another Dullstroom or Clarens
when offered the opportunity.
The Rustenburg Rotary Club
became involved with the
Thusanang Crèche in 2006,
and when an opportunity
arose in 2008 for an old-style
matching grant, it was grasped
with both hands. The total
matching grant amounted to
$15 500.
The crèche was expanded
from one to three classrooms,
freezers and kitchen
equipment were bought, and a
very deep borehole was sunk
to supply water for a
sustainable vegetable garden.
There are about 60
preschoolers attending
Thusanang at present, and the
facility is also used as an after-
school centre.
The Marico Mountain Bike
Classic was submitted as the
sustainability component when
applying for the matching
grant in 2008. Proceeds from
the event have always been
used to support Thusanang
Crèche and the Groot Marico
community, ensuring that the
project can continue in the
years to come.
This year was the 17th event,
and the regular cyclists were
back again, returning not only
for the cycling, but also for the
rooster koek and coffee from
the open fire.
Egbert has a special way of
preparing his coffee: the
ground coffee is added to the
water boiling on the fire, and
after a while a glowing coal is
added to settle the koffiemoer.
after a while a glowing coal is
added to settle the koffiemoer.
This coffee assists in washing
down the wonderful rooster
koek covered in butter and
homemade jam. The rooster
koeke are prepared by the
staff of the Thusanang Crèche,
and adds to the income
stream.
The Rotary E-Club of Southern
Africa D9400 joined in this
year to assist the Rustenburg
Rotarians in providing
sustainability to the
Thusanang Crèche for another
year. Club President Shirley
Downie, ably assisted by
Manfred, Lucia and Chris
spent a glorious weekend in
Groot Marico, marking the
route, assisting with
registration, helping at the
water points and just chilling in
true Marico style.
President Shirley also handed
over 2520 Manna packs to the
children of the Thusanang
Crèche.
These packs are distributed
worldwide by an organisation
called Feed My Starving
Children, and were brought to
South Africa by a local charity
called Sesego Cares.
These packs will feed the
children of Thusanang three
times per week, for a whole
year, and removes a large
amount of stress as
government grants are quite
irregular.
A visitor who witnessed the
delivery of the Manna packs
was so impressed by the
project that an anonymous
donation of R20 000 followed
a few days afterwards.
This story illustrates the
power of Rotary in aiding
communities - a club taking
over an event so that it can
continue sustainably, and a
matching grant from the
Rotary Foundation to expand
the only ECD facility in the
town.
– Shirley Downie
Thusanang and Cycle Race continued
3
President Shirley Downie with
some of the people from
Thusanang Creche.

4. Projects
The Building Better Businesses
Symposium of 27 and 28
September is an amazing
opportunity for any start up
business.
The Townships Project is a
non-profit organization in
Canada and South Africa that
has been jumpstarting the
creation of small businesses in
South Africa since 1998.
Formed in response to then-
President Nelson Mandela’s
challenge at the World Council
of Churches Assembly in
Harare, to “do something about
the poverty in my country”, The
Townships Project began by
working with South African
partners to make tiny loans to
groups of women to start or
expand small businesses in
Mdantsane, and later in
Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and
other townships.
In 2010, its focus shifted to
helping the best small
businesses to grow by creating
micro-franchises.
In 2015, the South African
Department of Trade and
Industry took over the funding
of this initiative. Subsequently,
The Townships Project
approached several Rotary
Clubs in South Africa to partner
with it in mentoring and
investing in Building Better
Businesses.
All funds are donated by
individuals and foundations in
Canada, who since 1998 has
raised and spent the Canadian
dollar equivalent of about
R35,000,000 in this work.
If you need any further
information or want to register
contact Judith (0614747975) or
Annemarie (0824574558).
Helping businesses with Symposium
Give orthopaedic support
Thousands of Medicinae
orthopaedic support
cushions for neck, leg,
arm, and hip are
available for distribution
at the Humanitarian
Centre in Bedfordview.
It is used in a patient’s
after-care process, giving
comfortable support to a
limb while recovering.
It is designed to help
decreasing pain and
swelling and improve
blood circulation.
More info from Carolyn
Khoury at 082 804 7126
or Shirley Downie at
083 308 0042 or Anne
Murray on 082 302 8171.
4

5. Projects
5
The Global Grant ECD Project, giving pre-
school children of Greater Alexandra a better
education, is on track after the kick-off meeting
was held in August.
The aim of the project is training and
empowering principles/staff/helpers to enrich
the lives of the children under their care.
Whilst this is a Eclub Rotary Project and would
be driven by Rotarians we would be guided of
the experience and expertise of Empowervate,
Sešego Foundation, other Rotary Clubs and
their teams.
The total project budget of $73 704 or
R866 000 come from Rotary Club (RC) Eclub
of SA 9400 and partners D1870 District
Designated Fund (DDF), D1820 DDF, D9400
DDF, D5188 DDF, RC Coesfeld-
Baumberge,RC Bad Homburg v d H, RC Point
West-Sacramento and TRF (World Fund).
ECD Project starts
Queen of Hearts
benefit many
communities
Eclub Rotarian Mariam Jacobs from The
Queen of Hearts benefit many people like
those in the communities of in Bosmont,
Newclare, Katrada Park, Westbury and
Claremont.
She gives jam, milk and bread weekly
and grocery packs monthly.
She also as feeding outreaches on a
monthly basis.
She further gives clothing shoes, jerseys
as she gets donated. Miriam recently
handed out men’s and boys’ shoes,
donated by the Gift of the Givers well as
grocery and veggie packs for the elderly
sponsored by Chayil Foundation.
Boys and men are posing with their new shoes
sponsored by Gift of the Givers.
Some of the Queen of Hearts recipients with food
packs donated by Sesego Cares as well as bread,
milk and jam. They also received jerseys, scarves
and knitted beanies donated by the elderly of Rose
Village.
OFF to RYLA: Eclub’s
two students who were
sponsored for the Ryla
camp from 30 August to
2 September were Lindo
Mhapi and Jodey
Magoo of RW Fick
Senior Secondary.
School.

6. Projects
6
Eclub member Rtn Susan Elder is serving the
community through her NPC, Healthy Active
Lifestyle Organisation, or more known as
HALO.
One of the HALO projects was born out of
Susan being a pancreatic cancer survivor who
will celebrate ten years cancer-free at the end
of the month.
Susan eight years ago started a feeding
program for cancer patients and caregivers at
the same place where she got her cancer
treatment - the Day Clinic at the Oncology
Ward 495 at Carlotte Maxeke Hospital.
Between 100 and 150 patients (and most have
caregivers) are waiting for treatment each
week day at this day clinic.
HALO serves peanut butter and jam
sandwiches with a cup of tea with milk or black
rooibos tea (as some patients, due to having
chemo, prefer black tea) at the clinic.
She has been doing this feeding program on
every Tuesday for six years, but since
September last year she also does this on
Wednesdays. As funds become available she
hopes to extend this service of love to
Mondays also.
With the food, Susan also shares dietary
advice and valuable information with patients
who are receiving chemo therapy.
She says the patients attending the clinic are
adults who are sometimes the forgotten people
of our society fighting cancer.
Susan Elder is serving patients and caregivers at the Day
Clinic at the Oncology Ward 495 at Carlotte Maxeke Hospital
with sandwiches and tea twice a week.
She feeds the ‘forgotten’ sick people
They often do have children of their own or are
grandparents who are looking after their grand
children.
Information is currently being collected from the
patients to get a better idea of the needs of
families of the patients and hopefully being able
to assist.
HALO’s ultimate goal is to be able to build up a
food bank so food parcels can be given to
patients on a monthly basis to be able to take
home.
HALO’s methods of raising funds are selling
various items at markets, putting on events and
donations.
Call Susan on 079 317 3334 if you want to help
her in any way.
MEET OUR KNITTERS
Annemarie Mostert is here with some
of the knitters of the Rose Village
who are diligently knitting goodies for
Eclubbers and other Rotarians to
distribute. The group has 42 knitters
who produced beautiful jerseys,
scarves, beanies, socks and blankets
this winter, which warmed people in
several communities. With their 140
scarves the group was also part of
the KnitWits for Madiba project who
unveiled 19 000 scarves of 29,17km
at the President Mandela capture site
at Howick.

7. Fellowship
Clowns bring hope
Eclub participated this year in the Feast of the
Clowns.
This week-long yearly feast of workshops,
training and exhibitions on social justice issues
is hosted by the Tswane Leadership
Foundation. It aims to bring hope to the inner
city of Tswane.
The March of the Clowns through the streets of
Pretoria, ending at Burgers Park on Saturday,
18 August was the highlight of the week.
At this march Eclub and Innerwheel Waterkloof
together with WAR (Women against rape)
hosted children from Peas-in-a-pod Shelter,
Ditsala from Soshanguve and learners from
Ontlametse Phalatse Primary school in
Soshanguve.
Some of the Eclub members joined the GenX
Rotary Club in Midrand to witness the induction of
two new members, Lindo Zulu and Professor
Kealeboga Mapunye
Eclub member, Elegance Gozo was the speaker
of the evening with the topic Millenenium jobs for
the Youth.
Speaking about the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Elegance said different skills will be needed for
the future workforce. Work, as past generations
knew also had changed.
She said interpersonal skills are the most crucial
skill needed in the new work environment.
The older generation live longer and some are still
working because their pension is not sufficient.
This is giving employers up to four generations in
their work force.
She advised the older generation to embrace
technology and to up-skill themselves.
Induction of members at fellowship
7
New Eclub members, Professor Kealeboga Mapunye and
Lindo Zulu with club President Shirley Downie.
Top: Liana and Elegance
Left: The group Eclubbers and GenXers that were at the
event.

8. Last page
8
September with its warmer days and vibrant
flower colours is each year a fresh breath of air
and a season to get inspiration for your projects.
Known as Spring Month or Heritage Month there
are a few ways to celebrate.
Rotary’s celebration of Literacy Month came
about after 8 September was declared as
International Literacy Day.
The website
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/september-
overview/ may give you a few ideas, like Teddy
Bear Day of 9 September or Hug your Boss Day
on 15 September.
Also see here:
http://www.dirco.gov.za/events/index.htm#sep
You also have Equinox on 23 September and
National Braai Day (Heritage Day) on 24
September.
Also don’t forget this week (1 to 7 September) is
Arbour week and 30 September to 6 October
Older Persons Week, with 1 October as
International Day of the Older Persons.
Very important is World Polio Day on 24 October.
Get creative
Four members of the Eclub attended the Rotary Club of Boksburg
80th anniversary dinner held on 1 September. President Shirley
Downie is here with Elsa Venter from Boksburg and Andy
Stevenson from the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon.
See more photos on Facebook
FUTURE RI
PRESIDENT:
Read here about
Sushil Kumar
Gupta Rotary
International
President for
2020-21