Rotary lends a helping hand - 4 THANKS A MILLION!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Stain of child abuse 16
Reality of Climate Change 30
Toastmasters alliance 32
Champions of Change 48
rotarygbi.org
August/September 2021
4
THANKS A MILLION!
Rotary lends
a helping hand
| Rotary CONTENTS Facebook:
/RotaryinGBI | Twitter:
@RotaryGBI | Instagram:
@RotaryGBI | in Great Britain & Ireland
YouTube: Rotary International
Cover
story
04 LENDING WITH CARE 16
10 42 30
6 16 NEWS & EVENTS
22
ARTICLES FEATURES
TALK FROM THE TOP: SHEKHAR MEHTA 21 THE ANSWER LIES IN THE SOIL 06 HOW ROTARY HELPS ENTREPRENEURS 04
New Rotary International President, Shekhar Filipina farmer Bernadeth Cabusog has THe story behind the partnership between
Mehta, reflects on the challenges ahead. benefited from Rotary support for her business. Rotary and the charity Lendwithcare.
TALK FROM THE TOP: NICKI SCOTT 22 AUNTY NANCY IS A SHINING LIGHT 08 CREDIT UNIONS PROVIDE SUPPORT 10
& DAVID ELLIS How Aunty Nancy Chaima, or 'Aunty Nancy' Credit unions have been stepping up to support
Rotary GB&I's Leader of the Association and has been supported by Rotary in Malawi. the vulnerable during the Covid pandemic.
Chairman of the Executive set out their stalls
CHILD ABUSE: A STAIN ON SOCIETY 16 TRUE SERVICE ABOVE SELF 14
TALK FROM THE TOP: JOHN GERM 24 How Rotary clubs in Norfolk are working THree Rotarians from England have been
& AMANDA WATKIN together to help tackle child sex abuse. honoured by Rotary International..
Reflections from the Rotary Foundation Trustee
THE SECRETS BEHIND CLOSE DOORS 18 ROTARY IS AT TIPPING POINT 26
Chair, and General Secretary of Rotary GB&I..
Norfolk's Lord Lieutenant, Lady Philippa Dannatt, Former Rotary International President, Barry
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 36 describes the horrifc stories of child abuse. Rassin, details plans being hatched to reshape
Four pages of letters covering subjects including the structure of Rotary.
famous Rotarians and corporate membership. A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS 30
The impact which climate change is having GIVING HOPE IN THE LEBANON 46
AND FINALLY 58 on the work of charities such as ShelterBox. Rotary clubs across Great Britain & Ireland have
Rotary magazine editor, Dave King, evaluates supported the rebuilding of Karantina Hospital in
how Rotarians can benefit from the partnership TOASTMASTERS ALLIANCE 32 Beirut devastated by an explosion a year ago.
with Toastmasters International Explaining how the partnership between Rotary
and Toastmasters International can benefit.. JUST CHAMPION! 48
Profiles of the Champions of Change award
FIFTY YEARS OF RYLA 42 winners who have just been announced.
A look back at a half century of the Rotary
Youth Leadership Award scheme.
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rotarygbi.org August/September 2021 | Rotary | 3
Rotary | NEWS & EVENTS
Rotary clubs lend
£1.3 million to
Lendwithcare,
and counting
Rotary clubs have been helping communities grow by
providing loans to entrepreneurs across the world. The scheme,
working with the charity Lendwithcare, has so far provided
more than £1.3 million from Rotary clubs to help those
fighting their way out of poverty.
| LAURA WILLCOX |
H
UNDREDS of Rotary clubs have dedicated to raising funds to Lendwithcare was a brilliant fit with
clubs across Great Britain lend, and their commitment to continuing Rotary’s values, and the partnership has
& Ireland have been to recycle their loans.” grown and evolved along with the loans and
supporting Lendwithcare The partnership between Rotary the businesses they support.
since 2011. They have raised and Lendwithcare began in 2011 when “It continues to be a fantastic
funds to make small loans to entrepreneurs Currie Balerno Rotary in Edinburgh partnership, and we hope Rotary continues
in developing countries allowing them to invited Lendwithcare to talk at one of on to the next million – and beyond.”
start and expand their businesses and work their meetings after hearing a feature on Despite reaching the £1 million
their way out of poverty. microfinance on the radio. milestone, Rotary clubs are showing no
Lendwithcare is a revolutionary way Since then, they have continuously signs of slowing down as loans continue to
to help people in low income countries to made generous loans to entrepreneurs as change people’s lives.
work their way out of poverty with dignity. hundreds of other Rotary clubs followed She praised the work of John Crowe at
Lendwithcare allows you to lend as their lead, allowing small loans to create a Nantwich Rotary in Cheshire whose club
little as £15 to fund a small business, and huge impact. has been at the forefront of the scheme.
once your money is repaid you can choose Tracey added: “When we did our first The Cheshire club has lent more than
to recycle your loan to support another talk at Currie Balerno Rotary to tell them £60,000 to almost 11,000 entrepreneurs in
entrepreneur, or withdraw your money. all about Lendwithcare, we didn’t dream it 11 countries. From figures published earlier
Tracey Horner, Head of would lead to so many other clubs getting this year, the club has helped 34,184 family
Lendwithcare, praised those Rotary involved and an official partnership with members and created 2,582 jobs.
clubs who have contributed towards the Rotary! John said: “Nantwich Rotary is proud
£1.3 million lent to entrepreneurs. “They loved the idea, and it spread to be part of this fantastic initiative.
She said: “We have been bowled over from there,” she said. “Lendwithcare is a great way to help
by the amount of time and effort the many “It became clear quite quickly that people out of poverty. You see exactly who
4 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.org
"THROUGH LENDWITHCARE, ROTARY
HAS HELPED CHANGE THE LIVES OF
MORE THAN 5,000 ENTREPRENEURS
AROUND THE WORLD SO FAR."
the money is going to and what they will Lendwithcare seeking to invest in more and
use it for.” more small businesses that preserve, protect
Rotary in East Anglia (District 1080) and improve the environment.
is also one of the pioneering areas for “For example, with our loans for solar
Lendwithcare, through the work of Nick lighting and bio-fuel loans.
| Fact file |
Corke and Brian Davies. "We’re now turning our attention LENDWITHCARE
“They were very supportive of towards businesses that are helping to • Lendwithcare is an initiative of poverty
Lendwithcare in the early years and set reforest the Amazon rainforest. It feels like fighting charity, CARE International UK.
up our most prolific lending team,” added Lendwithcare and Rotary are moving in the
Tracey. same direction, and there’s so much to look • CARE fights poverty and injustice in 87
countries around the world to help the
“Through Lendwithcare, Rotary has forward to together.” l
world’s poorest people.
helped change the lives of more than 5,000
entrepreneurs around the world so far. • CARE’s innovative solutions aim to ensure
“It continues to be a fantastic that poor people across the world have
partnership, and we hope Rotary continues access to the financial tools and training
they need to lift themselves out of poverty.
on to the next million – and beyond.”
And with the environment now • 100% of loans go to the entrepreneurs.
Rotary’s seventh area of focus, the | Information | • C
ARE is non-religious and non-political,
Lendwithcare chief said this has opened up allowing it to deliver humanitarian and
even more horizons for closer working. Lendwithcare is keen to get more Rotary development assistance to anyone in
She explained: “There is so much clubs involved. For information, contact: need, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity,
info@lendwithcare.org age, religion, political view or sexual
scope for the future – with Rotary focusing
lendwithcare.org orientation.
more closely on the environment, and
rotarygbi.org August/September 2021 | Rotary | 5
Rotary | FEATURE
The answer lies in the soil
B
ERNADETH Cabusog is a labourers I hired to help us in the farm. This will help me expand and increase
34-year-old farmer and mother- During the lockdown because of the harvest of crops. If ever I can save
of-two from the Philippines COVID-19, we had almost nothing left. enough money, I want to buy or install
who has received loans from The stores, hotels and restaurants were rain shelters or greenhouses so I can still
Lendwithcare, including from closed. We were having difficulties selling operate my farm even in the rainy season.
Stevenage Grange Rotary in Hertfordshire. our farm produce. But after eight months The future is what I am looking forward
She lives in the village of Sudlon II of struggle, we are about to start a new life. to: good farming; good income; good life
in Cebu province, along with Jennifer Almost 75% of our institutional buyers are and good health always of my family. l
Timbal, and they have been working as operating now, so we’re getting back on
farmers since they started living together track.
13 years ago. Amount requested:
Bernadeth plants crops on three What did you do with your loans? £2,623.41
different plots of land. Of course our means of living is farming.
She is lucky to have an area with an First thing first is to buy farm inputs. I Repayment term:
abundant source of water nearby which have two persons who I pay to work in the 24
months
lets her continuously grow crops without a farm. I pay them every week 1,800 pesos
problem during the dry season. each person (£22). Loans help us a lot, Activity type:
They have been repeatedly growing but in return we help 2 persons to have Farming
crops such as lettuce, 'baguio' beans, a job.
cucumbers, eggplants and tomatoes.
Partner:
LAMAC
How is your business going now? Multi-Purpose
Due to their many successful harvests,
the couple were able to build themselves So far so good. I can say that our business
Co-operative
a house to live in and send their first child transactions are back to normal. There is
to school. always the challenge of COVID-19 but we
Here, Bernadeth discusses how these do take precautionary measures. I can say
loans have made the world of difference that the agriculture today is more efficient
to her business. and valuable. We're not just farming, we
feed the whole world.
How helpful has your loan
from Lendwithcare been? What are your plans for the future? Join
Very helpful financially. I was able to buy I could say I have many plans in mind. I Visit: rotarygbi.org/join
volume of farming inputs and pay the want to rent some land for farming.
6 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.org
FOR MANY
FLYING IS
A LIFELINE,
NOT A LUXURY
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schools, simply because it’s too dangerous or time-consuming to reach
them. This is why Mission Aviation Fellowship works in 26 developing
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thousands of communities for whom flying is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline.
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Rotary | FEATURE
Aunty Nancy is a shining light in Malawi
F
EBCO (Financing Energy super agent for Nsanje. she makes. This means Nancy will be able
Business Cooperative) is the first Nancy has established herself as the to create a workforce of people travelling
energy cooperative in Malawi and person selling solar lights in her area. around the whole district providing light
has been supported by Bury St She will use her portion of this loan to to communities.
Edmunds Rotary in Suffolk. open a solar shop and buy a good level of Nancy will then open her
It is a registered Savings and Credit stock for the shop. SunnyMoney shop, providing a hub for
Cooperative run by 14 experienced and Nsanje is Malawi’s poorest district anyone’s energy needs in the surrounding
committed solar entrepreneurs. and was recently ravaged by floods. It is in areas. This will be one step closer towards
Lendwithcare's partner, SunnyMoney the most southern district of Malawi and lighting up the whole district, as well as
Malawi, has worked with entrepreneurs borders Mozambique. Nancy’s business. l
to build a network of super agents who Nancy has been a SunnyMoney
provide access to solar lights across the entrepreneur for over five years. Before she Amount requested:
country. became a SunnyMoney agent, she was a
The super agents are successful rice and bean farmer. £14,400.97
entrepreneurs, but access to finance is the Nancy is now at the point where her Repayment term:
biggest challenge to maximising their sales, business needs to expand.
6
months
reaching their potential as businesses and A loan through the new savings and
increasing energy access across Malawi. credit co-operative, will provide her with Activity type:
Each entrepreneur within FEBCO capital to build a shop and hold more Green/Social
has contributed 40% of their own capital stock for her business so she can serve the
into a fund. They use the loan from significant demand in Nsanje. Partner:
Solar
Lendwithcare to top up this loan fund. Nancy will use her portion of this loan Aid Malawi
Members boost their businesses by to buy phone-charging solar lights at $31
purchasing a variety of solar light stock each. She plans to sell solar lights to 60
and covering essential business expenses teachers across 20 schools, making a net
such as mobile airtime and travel costs to profit of $450, which she will reinvest into
expand their customer base. the business. Join
Nancy Chaima, or ‘Aunty Nancy’ as The next step for Nancy is to hire area
Visit: rotarygbi.org/join
she is known, is SunnyMoney Malawi’s agents in Nsanje from the commission
8 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.org
MAKING A
DIFFERENCE
SINCE
1905
START YOUR
ROTARY JOURNEY
If you’re interested in joining Rotary there Consider Corporate Membership
Perfect for business! If you and your colleagues want to
are a number of options available. Rotary is work closely with your local Rotary club to get involved in
flexible, ranging from full membership the community, you can. Rotary is a great way to put your
organisation’s Corporate Social Responsibility ideas into action.
to project volunteering.
Get in touch and make a difference
Join an existing club in your area We want to make sure your Rotary experience is the best it can
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Rotary | FEATURE
How credit unions
help the community
The Covid pandemic has witnessed many people struggling financially, through
losing their jobs or being put on furlough. Credit unions are community savings
and loan co-operatives which are helping the most vulnerable.
| DAVE KING |
R
OTARIANS are known as the credit union to operate and lend to
people of action, an example more members.
set by three members from Mukesh Malhotra is Past President
three different clubs in West of Hounslow Rotary and the current
London and Surrey who are Chair who oversees the running of the
involved with a credit union. Thamesbank Credit Union.
Credit unions have come a long way Sarah Gardner, who is the current
from the man and his ledger in the church President of Elthorne-Hillingdon Rotary
hall collecting savings and offering loans. is Vice Chair, and Ekaterina Moteva,
There are around 500 credit unions President of Egham Rotary, serves as
in the UK, and more than 1.8 million Business Development Manager.
members nationally. As a community co-operative,
A credit union works by pooling the Thamesbank Credit Union is owned
resources of all members’ savings and by its members and is a not-for-profit
prudently allowing members to take a loan organisation. It offers ethical and affordable
from this pool of money. As this loan is financial services, preventing poverty by
repaid back into the mutual pool, it enables providing members with a sustainable,
10 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.orgRotary | NEWS & EVENTS
affordable alternative to high-cost lenders. She explained: “I slowly got into debt mother with two young children, explained
Mukesh Malhotra explained: “It is due to living expenses and childcare. I felt that credit unions can serve pretty much
not always about the people who don’t fit a too embarrassed to discuss this with my everyone in the community.
typical bank loan. family. She said: “The stories that we hear
“Yes, we serve those who might have “After watching a money programme from our members make us feel good about
run into few difficulties and are barely on TV discussing affordable borrowing, I the everyday running of the business and
scraping by at the end of the month. found out about credit unions being more thinking of its future.
"We have many people, who run into affordable than my credit cards. “It is very fulfilling to be there, when
difficulties because suddenly their laptop “After setting up my account, I applied people need you most and to know that we
breaks or their children suddenly need new for a child benefit loan, and each month I can extend a helping hand in time of need.”
uniforms which they have outgrown. have been very pleasantly surprised that I There are numerous credit unions
“Whatever the loan is for, we encourage started to save. around the UK. Thamesbank operates
putting a few pounds aside while repaying “Thamesbank Credit Union would within the London Boroughs of Ealing,
the money, so hopefully it becomes more of always pay some of my loan and deposit Wandsworth, Hounslow, Richmond upon
a habit, than a duty.” the rest of my child benefit into a savings Thames, Kingston upon Thames and the
A typical credit union could be account. Surrey Borough of Spelthorne.
described as a variation of a community “Until then, I never had an opportunity Ekaterina Moteva said that many
bank. Like a traditional bank, savings to save any money. I began to pay off people have found themselves caught in
are guaranteed by the Financial Conduct my loans and have some money for spiralling debt, particularly during the
Authority, and all substantial loans are emergencies. pandemic. What Thamesbank is able to
subject to relevant checks. “I have been extremely lucky in the do is to operate at competitive rates to
The difference is that the members are pandemic to still have a job, and have saved consolidate debt. They don’t charge early
local. Loans go to local people, the office is money by not commuting each day into repayment or arrangement fees.
local and you know that at the end of the central London.” “Very often we hear that people
day that the profits made don’t go towards When someone opens a savings become an easy target for loan sharks,
an expensive office building or financing account, they become a member who because they are too embarrassed to speak
the CEO’s lavish lifestyle. makes regular payments into a savings about money worries,” she added.
Profits are shared amongst the account directly - from a salary if the “We would love to be there to help.”•
members, and voted for at the annual employer can make payroll deductions, or
general meeting, so every member has a say. by standing order.
Sabrina Nandkishore is testimony These savings accumulate over time,
of how Thamesbank can be a lifeline to allowing members to budget for future | Information |
anyone. She was a single mother bringing expenses or apply for low-cost loans based thamesbank.org
up two children who struggled dealing with on multiples of savings they hold. ekaterina.moteva@thamesbank.org
finances. Rotarian Sarah Gardner, herself a
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12 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.orgTrue service above self
The Rotary International ‘Service Above Self’ award is a coveted honour which
has been bestowed on three Rotarians from Great Britain & Ireland.
Lisa Hunter Ray Sanderson Dick Nathan
Maidenhead Wootton Bassett Northwick Park
Bridge Rotary & District Rotary Rotary
T
HREE Rotarians from England Club colleague James Berkeley, who amazing award. It is one of the very few
have been honoured with one of nominated Lisa, said: “Lisa didn’t let the times I have been lost for words in my 35
Rotary’s highest awards. pandemic stop Rotary’s efforts. She led the years in Rotary.
Lisa Hunter from team in a successful project and ensured “This comes at the end of my tenure as
Maidenhead Bridge Rotary in this was a Rotary in Maidenhead project, District Secretary, and it is now time to give
Berkshire, Ray Sanderson from Wootton rather than purely Maidenhead Bridge. an opportunity to the younger Rotarians."
Bassett & District Rotary in neighbouring “Hundreds of families have been Ray Sanderson has been a Rotarian
Wiltshire, and Dick Nathan from helped through the project. All this whilst for 32 years, initially with South Cotswolds
Northwick Park Rotary in north-west experiencing the pandemic and lockdown Rotary and, more recently, with Royal
London have all been presented by Rotary herself, home schooling Chloe, and trying to Wootton Bassett & District.
‘Service Above Self ’ awards. keep a business afloat.” He has served as club President,
Just 150 of these are presented to Dick Nathan has been a stalwart of the Assistant Governor and member of District
Rotarians across the world annually. Northwick Club and the London Rotary 1100 Executive and chaired District
According to the award criteria: District. He initially joined Harrow Rotary committees on Kid's Out, Community
“Nominees must be Rotarians in good in 1985 and has held many District posts, Service and International Service.
standing. They must have demonstrated including District Governor from 2013-14 He led a club Global Grant for a mobile
exemplary continuing humanitarian service, and District Secretary since 2016. x-ray unit for the Red Cross in Cape Town
in any form and at any level.” During his tenure as District Secretary, and numerous South African fund-raising
Lisa, who lives in Maidenhead with her Dick has seen the replacement of a printed projects benefiting deprived township areas.
husband Adam, and 10-year-old daughter, magazine with a weekly e-newsletter, has Ray is co-founder of the Wiltshire
Chloe, is a former Rotaractor who was overseen the departure from the District's Life Education Centre, and the inspiration
Founder President of her club. permanent location in York Gate, London, behind the Malmesbury Community Corps,
She has been at the forefront of and steered the District's administration started as a response to the frequent floods
Rotary’s work during the pandemic to through the COVID-19 pandemic. from the River Avon which the Wiltshire
support vulnerable families and those who Dick said: "I was surprised and town suffers. l
were isolated shocked to have been singled out for this
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Child abuse
is a stain on civil society
Jim Wilson is a Past President of Norwich Marchesi Rotary,
and a former chairman of Norfolk Police Authority. Here, he
writes about why Rotary clubs should become active in the
campaign against child sexual abuse.
| JIM WILSON |
T
HE statistics are appalling. Second, by supporting those Philippa Dannatt, wrote that organisations
The consequences in terms of organisations, many of them underfunded like the Sue Lambert Trust, will need every
childhoods destroyed and lives and voluntary, who have the expertise kind of support, particularly financial, in
scarred is shattering. and knowledge to counsel victims the months and years ahead.
The first ever attempt, seeking release from terrible childhood She wrote: “They will be deluged by
published in January 2020 by the Office experiences, which if unchecked can go on clients once lockdown is over.
for National Statistics, to produce a co- to wreck every aspect of an individual’s life “The effects of sexual abuse in
ordinated, accurate estimate of the number like nothing else. childhood destroys any semblance of
of young people affected by childhood And, third, by helping to sponsor this childhood and unchecked can go on to
abuse before the age of 16, suggests a fifth vital work, which can start the process of wreck every aspect of adult lives like
of the population has suffered from it. rebuilding and reviving lives damaged in little else.
That is 8.5 million victims of physical, childhood. “These are hidden crimes taking
emotional or sexual abuse. Of those, no Currently the fear of the police, place behind bolted doors and curtained
fewer than 3.1 million have suffered sexual experts in this area, and many members windows, every hour of every day, without
abuse or exploitation. of Parliament is that the COVID-19 respite.
How can Rotary assist in combating lockdown will have resulted in many more “To be blunt, children are being
this horrifying cancer that exists in our childhood victims. abused physically, mentally, and sexually
communities? Victims suffering silently, behind by the very people who should be
How can Rotary support the closed doors, with no-one to turn to, with protecting them the most. Family should
estimated one in seven who seek help and schools mostly closed, and therefore even be our safe haven. Sometimes, tragically,
counselling, generally later in life, to help that one opportunity of safeguarding the complete opposite is true.
them cope with their trauma? denied them. “Child victims are too traumatised,
First, by raising awareness of a subject In Norfolk, it is estimated there are too ashamed and above all else, too scared
not widely discussed or understood, so between 9,500 and 10,000 victims of child to come forward. And these crimes stretch
victims can be pointed in the direction of sexual abuse. across every echelon of society.’
trained and sensitive help. Norfolk’s Lord Lieutenant, Lady Norfolk’s former Chief Constable,
16 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.orgLibrary image
“AS WE EASE OUT OF LOCKDOWN, WE ARE GOING
TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT UPLIFT IN THE NUMBER OF
REPORTS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, CHILD SEXUAL
ABUSE AND MODERN SLAVERY. ”
Simon Bailey who retired this summer, it cannot stand on the sidelines. to fund therapy facilities the more child
was the national police lead on child abuse. It is determined to try in a small victims which Rotary and the Trust can
He commented recently: “As we ease way to do something to meet the huge support.
out of lockdown, we are going to see a challenge, and is hoping to make this a Clive Evans CEO of the Sue Lambert
significant uplift in the number of reports collaborative project with the help of other Trust said that since December, when
of domestic abuse, child sexual abuse and clubs in Norfolk and Norwich. Rotary provided this sponsorship, the
modern slavery. With the financial support of six Trust has increased its weekly counselling
“I think it is absolutely inevitable, and other Rotary clubs, plus a District Grant, sessions by 22% from 250 to 305.
we have to be prepared to deal with it.” Norwich Marchesi has sponsored the The demand for victim support has
Last year, Mr Bailey went on record Sue Lambert Trust with enough cash to increased by 68% - an indication of the
as saying the UK is the third biggest support their five therapy rooms for a year, escalation of child abuse under Covid
consumer of online sexual abuse. where one-to-one counselling and support lockdowns.
He said: “We have got to start being is delivered to victims of child abuse who He said: “This is an unprecedented
very honest about this. We have to start seek their help. situation for us and, if this trend
debating the consequences more in public. The Norfolk Rotary clubs have also continues, we will be looking at an increase
“We have got to start coming to terms ensured that there are enough books and of 80% in requests for support compared
with the fact that there are some appalling leaflets to assist with counselling. with previous years.’
things taking place online, and that In the past year, the Sue Lambert Norwich Marchesi Rotary hopes to
unfortunately the internet is probably the Trust undertook over 8,800 therapy continue assisting with funding in the
root of most of the evils. sessions given by their 60-plus trained coming Rotary year. As Rotarians we
“We have got to start genuinely asking counsellors. believe child abuse is a stain on civilised
the question how much more are we as a The aim is to increase the support society that no decent community can
society going to tolerate?" He described they can give to meet the increasing •
tolerate.
it as presenting the police and the demand which the circumstances of
community with devastating challenges. lockdown inevitably will have provided.
Norwich Marchesi Rotary has decided The more money that can be raised
rotarygbi.org August/September 2021 | Rotary | 17“AMY WAS BEING RAPED REGULARLY
BY HER FATHER AND HAD BEEN SINCE
SHE WAS JUST EIGHT. WHAT MADE IT
WORSE WAS THAT HER MOTHER KNEW,
BUT WAS TURNING A BLIND EYE.”
Library image
18 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.orgRotary | FEATURE
A dark secret hidden
behind closed doors
Lady Philippa Dannatt is the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk and
a trained counsellor. Here she describes first-hand the scale of
child abuse which is going on behind closed doors.
| DAVE KING |
T
O her teachers at school, of indication that she was being abused. “It is about changing, and with Amy
Amy was the troublesome “She loathed swimming classes she really managed to change and move
child. because it meant getting undressed. forward after years of working together.”
She had started “When it was non-uniform days, Now, Amy is at university after
promisingly but then her she would wear big, black, bulky clothes completing an access course. She has
marks in class went into a tail-spin. to hide her figure. She made herself changed her life around.
Amy dressed dowdy. Her appearance as deliberately unattractive and as “This is a case of a young person who
was unkempt. Her attitude was quiet and deliberately morose as she could in the came to me, who has broken all sound
sullen. She loathed swimming classes, hope that somebody would ask her what barriers, and is just amazing. I am very
and would get into a tantrum with the was wrong. proud of her,” added Philippa.
teachers about getting undressed in front “All the school did was to telephone “It is a long journey, two to three
of the other girls. Amy’s mother to tell her that she was not years. Some people think counselling is
But then Amy had a secret. working. The school got it so wrong.” just smiling and nodding and saying ‘yes,
A dark secret. Amy left school with few yes’. But it really isn’t.
Amy was being raped regularly by qualifications. It was a few years later, “I am a pro-active counsellor. With
her father and had been since she was just while attending evening class where she Amy, she was so angry at the way the
eight-years-old. What made it worse was formed a good relationship with her school had not picked up on what she was
that her mother knew, but was turning a teacher, that she unloaded about the scale going through. They should have known,
blind eye. of abuse she had suffered. she said.
Calmly telling the story about Amy The police were called, and her father “It is said that in every class of 18,
is Lady Philippa Dannatt, the Lord received a lengthy prison terms. He was there is one child who is being sexually
Lieutenant of Norfolk, who is a trained jailed not just for the years of sexual abused. It is very much out there.
counsellor with the Sue assault, but police found worst grade “I persuaded Amy to write to the
Lambert Trust. paedophilia on a laptop which Amy said headmaster so she could have a chat with
With centres in Norwich and Great he had forced her to watch with him. him about this whole business, to advise
Yarmouth, the charity has been working The wife of retired General, Richard the school how they could intervene
for more than 20 years supporting the Dannatt, the former Chief of the General successfully in future.
victims of child sexual abuse which, Staff, Philippa first worked with the “Instead, we took a furious phone call
according to the NSPCC, is on the counselling service Relate while living in from the headmaster who said ‘how dare
increase – especially after Covid. Germany. this girl come and stir up trouble’. He
Theirs is work dealing with “When Amy came to see me at the complained it was nothing to do with him
horrendous cases of sexual abuse, which is Sue Lambert Trust, she was an absolute since the incident had happened under a
being replicated the length and breadth of joy to work with,” reflected Philippa. previous regime.
the British Isles. “Amy is very artistic, so we did a “So I did something I’ve not done
“Amy came to me at the Sue Lambert lot of expression stuff through poetry before. I wrote to him on Sue Lambert
Trust when she was 21,” explained and drawings, sometimes quite dark, paper, using my name and my title, and
Philippa. “It was hard that her mother sometimes funny. said I was very disappointed was their
was turning a blind eye. Ironically, the “Counselling is about creating approach.
mother worked as a carer in a care home. change. When someone comes to you, “It had the desired effect. Amy was
“Amy couldn’t tell the teachers what they are at their lowest ebb, sometimes invited back and the headmaster was
was happening, but would give every kind suicidal, so the only way is up. charming to her.
rotarygbi.org August/September 2021 | Rotary | 19Rotary | FEATURE
Library image
“He invited all the senior staff into “Child sexual abuse is so deeply
his office who showed her the system shocking. It cuts across every level of
they now have in place to identify young society.
people to give them a safe place to be in. “Regrettably, there will be a need for
This is exactly what Amy needed. agencies like the Sue Lambert Trust.
“Amy was able to talk to the staff "Awareness is so important and for | Fact file |
about the kind of things they should be the victims to be believed. It is awful how
CHILD ABUSE
looking for. Things like the young person many people have no idea that child sex
who doesn’t want to get dressed in their abuse happens, and far less who actually • An estimated 3.1 million adults were victims
gym kit, someone whose work suddenly believe it when people try to tell them. of sexual abuse before the age of 16.
goes off the rails, and then ask: why is “I would say please keep your ears • Prevalence was higher for females
this happening? and eyes open. Please believe people, than males.
“I think the most telling thing Amy of whatever age, if they try to tell you
• Many cases of child abuse remain hidden.
said was ‘please never ring home’. Don’t something. One in three children sexually abused by an
ring the parents, because the chances are “However horrendous or unlikely the adult did not tell anyone.
that they could well be the perpetrators. story sounds, please don’t shut them up.
"That was something the school Let them tell their story. It is only when • Over 90% of sexually abused children were
abused by someone they knew.
learned that day.” we get these stories out there, that we
Philippa admitted that she is not create an awareness of what is happening. • It is estimated only one in eight victims
easily shocked, but there are times when “I give presentations and tell of sexual abuse come to the attention of
she is deeply saddened by the depravity. audiences of stories like Amy. statutory authorities.
Sadly, the Covid lockdown has "Sometimes it frightens people. • Traumatic life experiences can have
provided a fertile ground for these crimes "But I am also aware that there a significant impact on people’s lives,
to thrive. will be people in a respectable crowd of increasing the risk of poor physical
Philippa explained: “Someone once people, listening to my presentation, who and mental health, and poorer social,
said to me ‘We don’t have that kind of will be abusers themselves, and equally educational and criminal justice outcomes.
thing happening in Norfolk’. It is hard to there could well be someone in that room Source: National Association for People
believe. There is still an awful amount of who has been abused.” • Abused in Childhood
denial and disbelief.
20 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.orgTalk| from
Rotary OPINIONthe top…
SHEKHAR
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
MEHTA
G
REETINGS my dear changemakers,
As we focus on membership in Rotary this
month, I ask you to help make history this year.
For more than 20 years, our membership has stood
at 1.2 million. Rotary is a vibrant organisation with a
116-year history, members in more than 220 countries
and geographic areas, and a rich legacy of work in polio
eradication and other humanitarian programmes.
Rotary has changed so much in our own lives and
the lives of others. As we Serve to Change Lives, don’t you
think Rotary could have an even greater impact on the
world if more people were practicing Service Above Self? “MY VISION IS TO INCREASE
My vision is to increase Rotary membership to 1.3
ROTARY MEMBERSHIP TO 1.3
talk from top
million by July 2022, and the call to action is simple: Each
One, Bring One. This year, I want every Rotarian and MILLION BY JULY 2022, AND THE
Rotaractor to introduce a new person into their club. CALL TO ACTION IS SIMPLE:
We are a membership organisation, and members EACH ONE, BRING ONE.”
are our greatest asset. You are the ones who contribute so
generously to The Rotary Foundation. You are the ones
who dream big to bring good into the world through
meaningful projects. And of course, you are the ones who
have put the world on the brink of eradicating polio. do. Projects focused on the environment are also attracting
As we make membership a priority this year, let us interest the world over. Do participate in these projects
focus on diversity by reaching out to younger people and locally and internationally to make this world a better place
especially to women. for us and for all species.
Every club should celebrate its new members, and Each of you is a Rotary brand ambassador, and all of
every Rotarian who sponsors a member will be personally the wonderful work done by Rotarians around the world
recognised by me. And those who are successful in needs to be shared outside the Rotary community. Use
bringing in 25 or more members will be part of our new social media to tell your friends, colleagues, and relatives
Membership Society. the stories of Service Above Self.
Even as we share the gift of Rotary with others, let us Finally, I’m challenging every club, during the coming
be sure to engage these new members, because an engaged year, to plan at least one Rotary Day of Service that will
Rotarian is an asset forever. And remember that engaging bring together volunteers from inside and outside Rotary
our current members and keeping them in our clubs is just and will celebrate and showcase the work of your club in
as important as bringing in newcomers. your community. l
Let us also be ready to form new clubs, especially
flexible ones. I am very bullish on clubs that hold virtual or
hybrid meetings, and satellite clubs and cause-based clubs
can also be very effective ways of growing Rotary. | INFORMATION |
As you grow more, you will be able to do more. Let
Visit rotary.org to find out more about
us keep empowering girls through our work in each of
all of these initiatives, along with other
the areas of focus. Scholarships for girls, toilets in schools,
ways to Serve to Change Lives.
health and hygiene education — there is so much we can
rotarygbi.org August/September 2021 | Rotary | 21Talk from the top…
Build Back Better friendship, leadership, integrity, diversity and service. It is
about being kind and open to engaging with, and learning
A S we tentatively emerge from an extraordinary year, from, others to embrace our unity as human beings. These
where we all adapted to challenges unforeseen in values will never change.
Rotary, and as individuals in unison with everyone It is important that we enjoy our volunteer work with
across the world, it is time to take a deep breath and those we are alongside. There is no single right way to offer
contemplate the future. service. Variety and options that align with many different
So many have experienced so much pain and loss passions and perspectives are key.
and yet, simultaneously, this pandemic has served as an Rotary GB&I is ahead of the game with respect to
enormous catalyst for so much change. embracing environmental issues which is now recognised
Uncertainty exists, but there are some things we know as our new seventh area of focus worldwide.
for sure as Rotarians invested in our motto of Service Above We need to track our carbon footprint. This does not
Self: we need to come together to help our local and global mean abandoning in-person gatherings where travel is
communities recover. necessary but it does mean measuring and offsetting
Our work is closely aligned to the United Nations' that impact.
sustainable development goals which provide a blueprint for There are many ways that we can progress our Rotary
peace and prosperity for people and the planet now and activities in the virtual world, sometimes more effectively
into the future. with less demand on our personal time, but the value of
They first coined the phrase Build Back Better in 2006. interpersonal connection and coming together can never be
Let’s take the lessons learned this past year and ask how can surpassed or replaced entirely.
we build forward better, fairer and greener? I say let’s combine the value of both in-person and
The answer is a shift in mindset and culture which virtual moving forward in all respects from meetings to
means changing our behaviour. This is true for everyone fundraising and projects.
including Rotary. Alternative strategies, goals and fresh There is much to do to help our communities and make
ideas are embodied throughout the 2021-24 Action Plan a positive social impact. We are all People of Action.
for Rotary GB&I which will drive greater collaboration, Let's get to work! #bettertogether #onlytogether. l
cohesiveness and continuity.
If COVID-19 has taught us nothing else it is that we
must act in unison for the greater good.
Meeting online forced us to look beyond the walls of our
clubs and realise the whole world of Rotary is open to us.
Those opportunities were always there but it took a
global pandemic to help us to think differently. |N
icki Scott
Rotary is built on a strong foundation of amazing values: RI Director & Leader of the Association for Rotary GB&I
22 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.orgGet on board and enjoy the ride!
W ELL, that was a challenging year as we all
experienced life under lockdown and the
difficulties the pandemic caused. However,
it proved our ability to adapt, which is one of our core
principles.
I would like to thank all of you for having the foresight
to vote for change at our recent Annual Business Meeting.
It was an overwhelming result with over 90% voting for the
new Board.
The Board will become a reality in July 2022. In the
meantime, we cannot afford to stand still, and a new style
Executive will be in place for the next Rotary year as a
forerunner to the Board, which I will chair.
Rotary International Director, Nicki Scott, has put
together a three-year action plan with input from all
the co-ordinator team leaders.
This has been a mammoth task. All of the co-ordinator
teams have embraced the action plan. It has taken time and
effort to remove the stranglehold of one-year strategies. Our
thanks go to all of them for planning for change.
to what we always did, think of new and innovative forms
So, what will these changes achieve and how will they
of meetings.
affect the clubs?
I would ask you to think of this. Plan the style of your
To support clubs and districts we have co-ordinator
future club meetings; not for the current members, but for
teams comprising Foundation, Membership, Public Image,
those members who have not yet joined.
Service (currently Humanitarian), Learning Development
We must take a hard look at ourselves and ask if our
and Training.
club is attractive to new members?
There are also specialists for Peace, End Polio Now,
Those that know me are aware that I am an advocate
Diversity and Compliance, Endowment and Major Gift
for change, not just for the sake of it, but because the clubs
Advisers.
deserve better.
My role will be to lead and support all the co-ordinator
I will also continue to work closely with Nicki Scott, our
teams, ensuring they are on track to meet their agreed
Director and Association Leader, as we have been for over
action plans and that the districts and clubs are supported
the last year and a half.
better than they have ever been.
We are in exciting times. All I ask is that you embrace
Each district will have a dedicated group of co-
these changes, get on board and enjoy the ride as our
ordinators and specialists who they will meet with regularly
communities need Rotary more than they ever have. l
to share ideas, collaborate and give support and leadership.
The co-ordinator teams have already started to work
together and are not just tied to their particular area
of focus.
Clubs will be provided with a complete list of the
support available, along with direct contact details of each
team member or specialist. This means the assistance is
easily accessible. |D
avid Ellis
As we come out of COVID restrictions, clubs will be Chairman of the Executive for Rotary GB&I
re-thinking the way they meet. Please don’t just revert back
rotarygbi.org August/September 2021 | Rotary | 23Talk from the top…
Rotary | FEATURE
Amanda Watkin
John Germ General Secretary
Foundation Trustee Chair Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland
I N August, we focus on membership — exploring
ways we can expand Rotary’s ranks and reach. As
we form new clubs and answer RI President
Shekhar Mehta’s call of Each One, Bring One, let’s
A s we flow through the summer months of
2021 there remains a continuing level of
uncertainty in how our service to society will
include the much-valued human connection experienced
consider how these efforts will have a positive impact by Rotary members in previous times. Although the
at every level of our organisation. mantra of ‘hands, face, space’ will undoubtedly be part
Rotary’s two greatest assets are its members and of our ongoing routine it is apparent that confidence is
The Rotary Foundation, and they are linked. building, and face-to-face reconnections are being made.
Our organisation is made up of more than 48,000 But Rotary has changed.
Rotary and Rotaract clubs, and without our dedicated The pandemic provided the catalyst that exposed us
club members, we can’t perform service. to technology in our Rotary world. We have sharpened
Our members also carry out the Foundation’s up our practices, maintaining online meetings for our
mission of doing good in the world, by working on ‘business’ whilst reintroducing service and social activity
grassroots projects and making contributions that in a safe, face-to-face format.
support countless Foundation programmes and grants. The summer months have seen many members out
With more members in Rotary, the Foundation and about, focussing on projects such as river and beach
could do even more good in the world. We would have cleans, litter picking and of course, the ongoing service to
the right direction
more hands to set up water, sanitation, and hygiene
projects, so that more people could access clean water.
We would have more minds to plan global grants
society from Rotary volunteer teams, giving their time to
support COVID vaccination and test centres.
In a recent Rotary survey, it was heartening to see
projects that support prenatal services, so that more that around 75% of clubs are planning for their ‘business
babies could live. We could fund more district grants that as usual’ activities and projects that have previously
support literacy, so that more people could learn to read. benefitted communities up and down the countries of
Today, roughly a third of our members actively Great Britain and Ireland.
support the Foundation through annual giving or other I am equally proud that the Rotary Support Centre
means. Imagine how we could extend Rotary’s reach if team continues to provide valuable resources that
we were to increase that engagement, even by just a little. help promote these many projects and maintain the
More Rotarian contributions would mean additional infrastructure that keeps members and the public safe;
funding for Rotary Peace Centres, and more matched compliance and insurance are important!
contributions to help eradicate polio, thanks to our We know that volunteering through the network
partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. of Rotary creates lasting friendships built on the shared
The Rotary Foundation is a powerful force that experienced of giving time for community benefit.
efficiently carries out impactful and sustainable projects The creativity and innovation of our members in
around the world. finding solutions to some of the toughest challenges is
I have a simple request this month. Please take 10 amazing and I am so very thankful that the opportunity
minutes during your next club meeting to discuss ways to join Rotary was given to me back in 2002.
to get more involved in the Foundation this year. Like for so many, Rotary has provided me a strong,
It could be planning an online fundraiser to benefit trustworthy network of like-minded people from which
the Foundation or partnering with other clubs for a genuine friendships have developed over these almost 20
global grant project. years. So now, let’s all share Rotary and invite our family,
Whatever you do, remember that our members, all friends and colleagues to join with us as members of the
of us drive Rotary’s efforts and sustain our Foundation. l most amazing global network where you really can make
a difference. l
24 | Rotary | August/September 2021 rotarygbi.orgSave
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