Chairman, Stan Hendy welcomed a rather rowdy crew and was quickly thinking on his feet to see who could stand in for a guest speaker. With our scheduled speaker Tom Cecil on “Computers for Congo” nowhere to be seen, would it be the recently returned RFE team (Toni and Ray, Cathie or Brian and Jo) from Scotland, Maurice on his trip through the battlefields of Europe and riverboat cruises, Paul on cycling through Croatia?. Not to panic, as Tom duly arrived without phone and memory stick and a failing voice to boot. More about that later.

 

 

 

Chairman Stan, introduced Tom Cecil, who has founded an organization called Computers for Congo.

Tom grew up in Gisborne and from a young lad had a passion for Africa and knew that he wanted to do something to help people in need. After a chance meeting with a politician from Congo who spoke at his Church, Tom decided on collecting computers for Congo at the age of 16. With his own interest in IT, Tom quickly realized that this was going to be big. How do you send the equipment? What are the local logistics, how much will it cost? As luck had it, other organisations touched by the politician were thinking of doing similar work, so Tom partnered with them for the first shipment of computers in a container.

Tom then set up a charity and began collecting IT equipment from all over Australia, reprocessing and re formatting and partnered with a group in Congo to distribute the goods.

To ensure that his work was in fact “getting to the people it was meant for” Tom went to Congo, changed his total outlook on life, returned to Australia and resigned from his job in IT. Although having to subsidise his living expenses as a gym instructor, Tom devotes most of his time on his charity. He now has two partners in Congo, East and West who run the projects on ground. They have 25 computer training centres, where IT training and repair courses and workshops are conducted, and an internet café where jobs are created. A University is also planned.

Why the Congo, Tom was asked. As Tom explained it was just a chance meeting and an opportunity, however some of the history is alarming and unthinkable. There were two Congo civil wars from 1993-2006, when over 6m people were killed, either from war, famine or disease. This conflict spilled over from Rwanda and potential wealth from minerals, resources and oil were up for grabs. Men over the age of 25 were killed, 75% of women have been raped, there is no system in place for governance and bribery and corruption are still commonplace, even as Tom went through the airport recently.

Tom’s view is that there needs to be lasting change. With a population of 85m and with only 30% of children completing a basic primary school education, long term support and solutions need to be developed. There are many NGO’s and UN support organisations in the country; however “throwing money” at the problem does not solve it. Originally colonized by the Belgians, a tribal culture was forced into a Western culture and where French was the national language (and still is). As history has proved, colonized nations will seek their independence eventually, often with catastrophic outcomes.

Tom was asked many questions and was universally congratulated for his commitment and dedication to his charity. A fine young man indeed!.

 

 

To support Computers for Congo, Ray and Toni will be receiving working order computers, printers and infrastructure equipment during December. Phil Harris will be taking the IT equipment from Ray and Toni’s out to Tom’s warehouse in Epsom at the end of December.

A number of members identified that they have unwanted goods, so this is a call out to everyone and your friends to support this great work of Tom’s by donating you “in working order” out dated or replaced gear.

 

 

 

I am writing this letter to you and the Bendigo Sandhurst Rotary club for the donation to help me go to PSSA championships held in Sydney.  It is a long way from Nyngan to Sydney 584km, and this helped my parents with fuel money.

 

The first carnival was in June at Nyngan where I got 6 first places and a 3^rd in the 800m, this qualified me to the next level which was also held in Nyngan.  At this carnival I chose to only compete in 4 events including High jump, Long jump, 100m, 200m  and I won all 4, this got me to the next level at Parkes. At Parkes I broke the high jump record which was 1.31m and it was a PB. The next carnival was Polding which was held in Newcastle, I won a bronze medal in long jump and a silver in high jump. This qualified me to go to state for these two events. The first day I did long jump which I came 13^th out of 40 and I did a PB of 4.16m. The second day was high jump were I came equal 5^th, I equalled my PB which is 1.40m. I am very proud to represent Wilcannia Forbes Diocese at this level of athletics.

 

Thankyou again for the donation. I am sending this email from my Mums work.

Thankyou

 

Gemma Boland

St Joseph’s school Nyngan

Coonabarabran Rotary 

PO Box 265

Coonabarabran

NSW 2357

 

 

 

Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst

PO Box 1122

Bendigo Vic 3552

 

 

19 October 2018

Dear President Graeme and members,

It is high time we reported back to you about how the drought relief program to which you so generously contributed, has progressed.

It began with what we called a ‘Drought Catch Up’ evening on Friday 10 August designed to provide some company and relief for those who had been totally tied to their farms for many months. Two hundred people attended.  $6,200 (given in donations to the club principally through two people) was distributed in Visa cards of $100 each to 62 families, along with hampers and sundry items. There were many door prizes of wine and small gifts. Music was provided by a local band and people enjoyed the event. We expected this would be the extent of our drought initiative.

However, in response to receiving donations from Rotary clubs such as your’s and individuals, we then established a Drought Relief Fund. There was much discussion about how best to distribute the money raised and donated, to make sure it reached those most affected. It was decided to use a similar program that we adopted in 2013 when fires destroyed over 50 homes around our town.

The recent rain has helped boost morale and people’s spirits. It has been variable with some farms receiving useful falls and some all but missing out.  At least it has indicated a change in the weather pattern. It is estimated that it will be another 18 months before we can expect recovery.

Thank you so much for your support for this farming community. We are very grateful!  We look forward to continuing whatever we can do to keep farms and the town businesses viable until the season breaks completely.

Best wishes to everyone,

 

 

Stock feed                   $96,408

Feed supplements       $12,725

Mechanical                 $7,252

Farm items                  $7,120

Rates                           $7,103

Electricity                    $3,268

Medical/Dental                       $1,955

Car reg etc                  $1,108

Household                   $953

Telstra                         $861

TOTAL:                                    $138,753

 

Stock feed and feed supplements constitute 78.6% of the total.

 

 

 

 

 

Joan Wilkin, President

Coonabarabran Rotary   0429 684 282   jo.wilkin@gmail.com