This report from our special International Correspondent PDG Mike Bradnum

What a Different Meeting!!  What a Special Occasion!!

A wall sized screen came to life with the Brownsburg Club, Indiana sitting there in our meeting, clearly seen and clearly heard. What an experience! Our thanks to De Beers for making their boardroom and video conference facilities available for an historic, innovative meeting.

Kimberley President Peter Thomas and Brownsburg President Mike Arnold had very efficiently pre-arranged an agenda that really assisted in making it a most meaningful, interesting and productive meeting.

After an exchange of greetings—it was below freezing in Brownsburg with heavy snow outside, against a 36°C (100°F) boiler in Kimberley– the meeting was officially opened by Rtn. Rev. Harold Leiniger in prayer. A good touch, that. The two clubs then shared the Four Way Test—Brownsburg jointly recited the first two parts, Kimberley took the second two. President Mike then made his opening remarks, introducing D6560’s current DG Hugh Baker, also saying that Jim Graham and his GSE Team had taken Thusong Home very much to their hearts. In his response Pres. Peter noted that this video meeting was a wonderful first for our District, and for our Club. DG Hugh told us of their 44-Club District, all within a 1½ hour drive, and that they would be welcoming our reciprocal GSE team in a few weeks, for which he thanked our district.

GSE Team Leader Jim Graham then told us that only one team member, Laurie Webb, could be present because of the weather and that the Thusong MG was the first that the club had undertaken outside of the USA, which he wishes to use as an encouragement to their whole District. He thanked our members who had corresponded with individual Brownsburg members, and commented on the good job Barry D is doing with our web site. Brownsburg are also involved in an MG for a vehicle for a Day Care Centre in Grahamstown as a result of the impetus Thusong had given them. Pres. Peter then told the meeting of our involvement with Thusong, the provision of furniture, furnishings, the two sponsored Boy Scouts, provision of bread, annual Christmas Party, two Educational Trust beneficiaries, and the Merit Award to Rebecca Tsiane—mother to a hundred.

Rebecca then spoke about the 120 children now involved in the Home, how Rotary came on board when she was in great trouble and need. The pride of having boys matriculate last year, the new house which would soon be opened (the furnishings for which are the core of our MG), and the encouragement those surroundings gave to the boys to better themselves. She introduced tiny Hope who had been left in the bushes as a new born and how miraculously she had survived that cold time. The two very shy Scouts and the two very shy scholars were also introduced to Brownsburg, little Hope stealing the show with her enthusiastic waving hello, goodbye and any other wave needed, including a beautiful baby talk introduction of herself.

Three Brownsburg Rotarians (Scott Norris, Betty Bolen and Jan Viars) told us of three projects they undertake. At the Indy Race Track their gift shop runs for 23 days, an annual Auction and Dinner for housing needs and support of the County Homes by providing attention and basic needs.

Pres. Peter then introduced Ken Quinn who detailed two of the other projects in which we are involved. The Educational Trust, the interest from which amounts to R60 to R70,000 plus some small annual grants is spread over 30-40 small grants each year (plus the Thusong boys mentioned earlier). And our Centenary Project—the provision of a vegetable garden for the Christina Kiddie Home (including a borehole, sun-powered generator et al). This would teach the children many excellent skills for the future. He also mentioned Poddy Shein's Jungle Gym recently completed.

Pres. Peter then outlined the MG tackled with the three Swedish clubs, being the Barney Bishop Workshop for disabled and abused black women. How they were taught machine sewing and knitting skills, plus hand needlework for those physically unable to use the machine. The later introduction of machines for the cutting and polishing of semi-precious gemstones and how all of these activities provided a small extra income and also self esteem and a sense of purpose in the community.

Presidents Peter and Mike then exchanged closing greetings, each agreeing that this had been a joyful, wonderful experience and that each looked forward to taking this friendship on to a long and fruitful relationship in collaboration. Mike also thanked De Beers for their assistance and contribution to the occasion.