Ruth Mathieson, Chair of the International Service Committee along with members of her committee are pleased to provide some background on a fundraising request for a sanitation project at Ankirihiry Pulmonary Hospital in Madagascar through the Inner Wheel Club associated with Rotary. Sonia and Bill King's daughter, Christine Botha is living in Madagascar and is working on a few projects in her community one of which is through Inner Wheel. The hospital , a public service organization, specializes in infectious respiratory and pulmonary diseases, including tuberculosis and leprosy.
The sanitary blocks at the hospital are in a state of absolute squalor, drainage is blocked and there is no running water. Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in Africa with 90% of people living on less than $2 a day and one child in two under the age of five is suffering from chronic malnutrition. Inner Wheel has made it their mission to improve the living conditions of those most vulnerable within their community, including the Ankirihiry Pulmonary Hospital with the objective to improve health, hygiene and living conditions for the patients. The hospital treats approximately 60 outpatients and 20 resident patients daily, but lacks even the most basic provisions required to provide adequate patient care. Inner Wheel plans on constructing a new ablution block, improving health and sanitation and restoring dignity to the patients at Ankirihiry hospital. The project, including earthworks, installation of drainage and plumbing, construction and initial operations will be overseen by Inner Wheel.
Bill and Sonia King were able to present a cheque from the Rotary Club of Belleville in the amount of $3,000 U.S. to the President of Inner Wheel.
Inner Wheel and Rotary International have been long standing partners and proudly share the same ethical values and objectives and are very grateful for the financial assistance provided by our Club to their community.