Stuart Batty Executive Director of Rotary New Zealand World Community Service Ltd (RNZWCS) (a charitable company that was established to recognise the need to take a New Zealand-wide view of World Community Service). Each of the six NZ Rotary Districts is represented on the Board of RNZWCS. RNZWCS is recognised by the New Zealand Government as an Aid Agency Non Government Organisation (NGO) and has Directors and an Administrator to deal with funding from NZAID (New Zealand's International Aid & Development agency, located within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade).
All Clubs seeking NZAID funding must work through RNZWCS.
The following are examples of the type of humanitarian support provided by RNZWCS:
Emergency Response Kits for use in the Pacific following natural disasters. Kits contain basic equipment so that a family can construct a simple shelter and clothe themselves. There are 66 to 70 items per kit with essentials such as tools, toiletries, first aid supplies and household items. Each kit contains identical items which are packed by Rotarians using a warehouse facility made available free of charge in Auckland. Clubs contribute $600 per kit. Kits are pre-positioned in vulnerable Pacific Islands ready for immediate release and dispatch when required (as will be the case following the impact of Cyclone Gita in Tonga). Some are kept back in containers in Auckland ready to replace kits that have been used.
Once the initial response to a disaster has passed, RNZWCS helps local people rebuild their lives. This might involve repairing homes, schools and hospitals, restoring water supplies and sanitation, and so on. Often the only on-going rebuilding work following a disaster is that undertaken by Rotary. These new buildings are built to a very high standard to withhold category five cyclones. In Fiji RNZWCS has been building teacher housing for remote island schools, as often teachers leave the area after a disaster and do not return.
Donations in Kind are made by companies with unwanted stock which they donate to RNZWCS to distribute in NZ and overseas. These could be anything from mattresses to school equipment. These items are stored and dispatched on request.
Emergency Response Kits for use in the Pacific following natural disasters. Kits contain basic equipment so that a family can construct a simple shelter and clothe themselves. There are 66 to 70 items per kit with essentials such as tools, toiletries, first aid supplies and household items. Each kit contains identical items which are packed by Rotarians using a warehouse facility made available free of charge in Auckland. Clubs contribute $600 per kit. Kits are pre-positioned in vulnerable Pacific Islands ready for immediate release and dispatch when required (as will be the case following the impact of Cyclone Gita in Tonga). Some are kept back in containers in Auckland ready to replace kits that have been used.
Once the initial response to a disaster has passed, RNZWCS helps local people rebuild their lives. This might involve repairing homes, schools and hospitals, restoring water supplies and sanitation, and so on. Often the only on-going rebuilding work following a disaster is that undertaken by Rotary. These new buildings are built to a very high standard to withhold category five cyclones. In Fiji RNZWCS has been building teacher housing for remote island schools, as often teachers leave the area after a disaster and do not return.
Donations in Kind are made by companies with unwanted stock which they donate to RNZWCS to distribute in NZ and overseas. These could be anything from mattresses to school equipment. These items are stored and dispatched on request.
RNZWCS is also involved with International development. They assist struggling communities make long-lasting improvements to their economic and social circumstances. They provide funding, project management expertise and experienced mentors to build capacity in affected communities so that they can become self-sufficient. In Fiji RNZWCS has been providing a (volunteer) professional builder to assist with building Ronald MacDonald type accommodation for mothers and their families, so that women and babies can access hospital care. In Tonga RNZWCS has assisted with the creation of the Mangrove Tree Centre for people with disabilities and providing houses for disabled people to live in. In Fiji RNZWCS has been involved with putting together a village (Koroipita Model Town) for some of Fiji’s poorest people – google it!! Other projects include: providing water and sanitation to villages on islands throughout the Pacific, cataract surgery, and polio plus programmes.
Final word from Stuart: “It’s not about us, It’s about them”
Geoff spoke about the pasteurization project in Tanzania that he had been involved with.
Lyn advised that she has available a display of an Emergency Response Kit if our club would like to borrow it to show at a fundraising event. She has led two teams to Tavanui to refurbish a girls’ dormitory and to paint a doctor’s house.