This Week - Kyle Lauf, a South African Educator's Journey in Morocco

This is nothing to do with Kyle Lauf's talk to us on Morocco but it does give us insight into his approach to education.

Four Grade 11 Assumption Convent learners and their business studies teacher Kyle Lauf, were announced as the overall winners of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s Investment Challenge for schools..

“The challenge is a nationwide investment simulation game where high school contestants are given a fictitious sum of R1-million to invest in listed shares on the stock exchange.

“Students are required to research and understand the types of shares available in South Africa and what influences their price fluctuations. Then they need to buy and sell these shares, accumulating profits that track the movements of the actual share prices,” said the school’s marketing officer, Marinella Sousa.

Panita Pillay, Daniella Da Silva, Kyle Lauf, Eleni Glavovic and Daniela Domingues, were announced as the overall winners in the speculator category.

“This is a fantastic achievement bearing in mind that over 18 000 high school learners from across South Africa participated in the challenge.

And here is another example from the magazine "Independent Education" written shortly after the Covid pandemic.

The last two years have forced educators to adapt, rethink and re-imagine the possibilities of education from every angle. A new generation of learners is coming of age. They have had vastly different school experiences than those who came before them.

I believe, however, that in the midst of the challenges we face, we have the opportunity to adapt. In fact, it’s more than an opportunity, it’s an imperative. If we don’t adapt to our changing circumstances, how will we stay relevant to our learners?

While sipping a cappuccino in my favourite coffee shop with a fellow teacher recently, I looked around. I saw some customers chatting or writing in a journal, while others were on their laptops or in business meet-ups discussing a deal.

As a business studies teacher, it dawned on me how much productive activity was taking place in this leisurely room. It inspired me to rethink my physical classroom space, modelled on the blueprint of a ‘hip’ coffee shop.

The challenge? How to transform my classroom into an unconventional, vibey, yet relaxed space without sacrificing educational expectations or outcomes. And how to do this without a budget.

With the help of colleagues and some friends, I brought in a few donated couches, some colourful cushions, a cocktail table and a few high stools. My cousin Byron repurposed boards of Oregon pine to build me a Seattle-styled rustic coffee shop table seating ten.

The result? It’s taken my learners by surprise, and in breaking with the traditional classroom mould, it has the potential to re-invigorate them while facilitating a more nuanced style of teaching and learning. Class and group discussions, short oral presentations, and collaborative work seem to take place more spontaneously.

So far it’s working, but this approach is a risk for all kinds of reasons, including classroom management, loss of control, or lapses in discipline. I think educators need to be open to these calculated risks.

Last Week

Past District Governor David Grant gave us a very interesting talk on what Wash Rotary Action Group.  What was particularly interesting was the ability of the Group to access funding internationally for projects relating to water supply, hygiene and sanitation.

I think that the implications of that and particularly the need to supply proper ablution facilities on school properties within our district is something we should take into consideration.

Next Week

Under normal circumstances it would be a Business Meeting but with the District Governor's annual visit the following week we will have a guest speaker, Margie Kostelac of The Santa's Shoebox Project.  There is much more to the organisation than filling shoe boxes for Christmas.

International 

World Hepatitis Day, observed on 28 July, brings global attention to one of the most pressing and under-recognised health threats of our time. According to the World Health Organisation, over 300 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, yet most are unaware they are infected. The disease often goes undetected until serious liver damage occurs, causing approximately 1.3 million deaths every year. It is one of the main causes of death from infectious disease. But there’s good news: we can prevent, treat, and, in many cases, cure hepatitis.

How Rotary members are making a difference

Through partnerships, education campaigns, and direct service, Rotary members are taking action to close the gaps in awareness, screening, and treatment in their communities. Here are a few examples of how clubs are making a difference:

Bangladesh: From October to December 2024, 22 clubs co-convened a hepatitis B eradication program in Dhaka, where 111 people were screened. Of those, 110 received vaccinations, and one person who tested positive received a customised treatment plan. This initiative also increased awareness of hepatitis B transmission and preventative vaccinations.

Hepatitis Zero Week campaign in 50 Countries: The Rotary Action Group for Hepatitis Eradication coordinates an annual, widespread effort involving thousands of clubs across dozens of countries to partner with local health authorities to test for hepatitis, administer vaccines, and refer positive results to care. Since the campaign’s inception, more than 3,000 clubs in 50 countries have participated. Over 1.5 million people have been tested, with more than 10,000 diagnosed and linked to care.

Nigeria (Abuja Region): The Rotary Club of Abuja facilitated training on hepatitis eradication, detection, and treatment plans for 30 health workers to maintain the work as part of their community health work. To support a vaccination campaign for hepatitis B for thousands of children and women without access to regular health services, Rotary clubs negotiated for the legalisation of the screening test, followed by a massive testing campaign across the country, administering over 200,000 tests.

Taiwan: Over the past decade, Rotary clubs in Taiwan have undertaken a major effort to support the country’s campaign to eliminate hepatitis C. Backed by global and district grants, along with their own fundraising and volunteer support, clubs have partnered with health authorities to deliver community-based screenings and referral programs. These efforts have earned formal recognition from Taiwan’s government. Through sustained commitment and community-driven action, Rotary clubs are helping Taiwan achieve its ambitious goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2025.

A participant smiles while receiving a free hepatitis screening in Taiwan, reflecting the hope Rotary clubs aim to spread worldwide.

Uganda: In August 2024, the Rotary Club of Sonde, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Goma Municipal Council, provided medical services to the Sonde community and surrounding areas. These services included free hepatitis B screenings, which over 308 community members received. These health camps are held at the community health centre to promote ownership and continuity, and these activities have been incorporated as planned quarterly events under the Rotary Family Health Days program, organised by the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention.

This Week - PDG David Grant talks on WASH-RAG

 WASH Rotary Action Group supports and ensures sustainable long-lasting clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programmes to communities in need.

The WASH Rotary Action Group was formed in 2007 by a group of Rotarians, recognised by Rotary International, and focused on WASH projects. Since then it has facilitated many hundreds of projects – helping clubs find partners, ensuring sustainability, stressing the importance of a needs-driven approach, and developing best practices. We encourage a holistic, integrated approach in which water is not the end in itself, but is rather the means to a better life and livelihood in the community. Most importantly, WASH Rotary Action Group links water and sanitation to improved hygiene, better health, and empowerment of the community – especially women, irrigation and agriculture, education and literacy and, ultimately, child mortality.

David Grant has been a strong advocate of WASH-RAG from the beginning and has headed it in South Africa practically since its inception.  As he is about to step down from this position it's appropriate that he speaks to us on something he he really believes in and his talk I heard, by chance really, made me realise how vital this Rotary Action Group is.  

Last Week

Debbie Smit, District Chair of Interact spoke to us about Interact Clubs both in schools and in communities.  She skirted over many of the issues we face with the two Interact Clubs we have sponsored recently, that just discussing issues with the schools is not plain sailing.  On the other hand she emphasised the importance of a broader view and realising what can be achieved on both a local and an international level.

Next Week

Kyl Lauf is a Business Studies and Life Orientation Teacher at Assumption Convent.  He will be talking to us on "A South African Educator's Journey in Morocco".

International - Rwanda

The Rotary Club of Kigali Golf is passionate about more than just hitting the links. Within months of its formation, the club began supporting programmes to foster entrepreneurship within the deaf community and other underrepresented groups. In November the club delivered more than a dozen sewing, knitting, and textile heat-press machines to the Rwanda National Union of the Deaf and to Empower the Future, an organisation supporting mothers of former street children. The equipment, valued at about $8,500, was paid for with member donations as well as a golf tournament (naturally). “We look forward to building a long-term partnership with the Rwanda Union of the Deaf, Empower the Future, and other organisations supporting marginalised communities,” says Tabvi “Mellow” Motsi, a member of the club’s public relations committee.

This Week - Debbie Smit, District Chair, Interact

 

Last Rotary Year we chartered two Interact Clubs, one at Jeppe Girls and the other at Saheti.

It's important that we extend the members' interests beyond their current projects so that they realise that Interact and Rotary have so much more to offer than just being a local school carers club.  

How they establish links with other local Interact Clubs and expand that to overseas Interact Clubs.  That is why Debbie Smit's visit is so important.

Last Week - Business Meeting

Much of the meeting was taken up with a discussion on the issues of the problems of fundraising and the situation regarding existing projects and our continuing support and what form it should take.  Also the possibility of new projects that would have to be taken into consideration.  No decisions were made until the return of our Director, Community Service from overseas and budgets have been submitted for this Rotary Year.

Next Week - PDG David Grant on WASH-RAG

By chance I attended a club meeting and heard David Grant talk about WASH-RAG which I had always assumed was groups of people clearing rubbish out of rivers and streams, something I have no interest in at all.  Thanks to David's excellent presentation I realised that much more was involved and it was extremely interesting and for me, something that we should all hear about and consider supporting, locally and internationally.

International - Canada

Dogs are feeling especially lucky in the Yukon territory thanks to the Rotary Club of Whitehorse-Rendezvous, which bakes, packages, and sells pet treats to raise funds. The club’s annual dog biscuit sale has generated about CA$3,000 since it began three years ago. Proceeds benefit the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter and the Food Bank Society of the Yukon in Whitehorse. “This fundraiser brings Rotarians together for enjoyable social occasions in our various homes, and local people love the biscuits for their dogs,” says Kevin Rumsey, immediate past president of the club. Rumsey’s mother created the recipe, which includes pumpkin and peanut butter. “We always sell out,” he adds. “We even deliver to people’s homes.”

This Week - A Business Meeting

 

This is just to prepare you for the Business Meeting.

Last Week

A Fifth Wednesday Dinner at Ottimo, Bedfordview.  

It wasn't well supported as many of us had other things we had to do but those who went enjoyed themselves and liked the venue.

Next Week - Debbie Smit, District Interact Chair

 In 2003, I joined the Rotaract Club of Boksburg, which was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Boksburg,which was D9300. I had loads of fun while doing great work in our community. 

While being President in2005/2006, our club received awards such as the DRR & Club Citations, the International, Community & Professional Development Trophies at the Rotaract Awards.

After my divorce I wanted to be part of something meaningful again, so I joined Rotary to do good, grow, learn, network, socialise & most importantly HAVE FUN with like minded individuals & professionals.

I have a teenager & while listening to her talk about the challenges & aspirations of the youth, I realised that there is so much knowledge, skills, expertise and guidance that we, as Rotary, can contribute to our youth of today by developing the next generation of Rotary leaders.

International - Tea

 By Noel Hernandez, Charter Global Chair for the Rotary Fellowship of Tea Lovers 

Noel Hernandez and Heather McInally, spouse of Rotary International Past President Gordon McInally, share a moment of friendship over tea at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia.

I want to start brewing this story by saying that I love Rotary and I love tea! This is the story of how these two delights blend and continue to steep and create so much connection and meaningful bonds. 

After water, tea is said to be the most drank beverage in the world, so it would make sense if there was a Rotary group centred around tea, right? Well, there wasn’t one in 2022, and I thought to myself, how can we not have a Rotary communi-TEA (pun very much intended) in Rotary’s almost 120 years of existence? 

With the power of Rotary connection, boosted by the energy of social media, I found like-minded tea drinkers and brewers from all over the world, did the paperwork and next thing you know in April 2023, we became an official fellowship of Rotary: The Rotary Fellowship of Tea Lovers! 

We are Rotary members, and our friends from around the world, interested in everything tea, both in our differences and similarities – from brewing and drinking tea, to the variety of cultures, food, drinks and experiences involving this wonderful plant and related herbals. 

Since 2022, we have grown to more than 4,800 members on our official Facebook group with three regional chapters and growing! Our Facebook group has been active with many people introducing themselves and what teas they are drinking. Members can choose to be part of a chapter, if they have one in their area, or be a member within the larger international community. Members share interesting facts, tea drinking traditions, and local events uniting Fellowship members and friends of Rotary around our shared love for tea. 

This community has also been an opportunity for people who are not yet Rotary members to take interest in our organisation. I even get inquiries from friends and family not in Rotary, which opens an avenue for conversation. Since membership is open to all, it creates another path of invitation for Rotarians and Rotaractors to invite friends and family to take part in Rotary activities. It starts with one tea party or tasting event with vibrant and passionate members. Next thing you know, the curious visitor learns about End Polio Now, Rotary’s global initiative to eradicate polio, and the service projects that clubs are involved in – all in a calm and enjoyable atmosphere of tea and conversation. Even members not familiar with fellowships gain a way to be part of the wider world of Rotary. 

The most exciting stories come from our chapters from around the world. In one of our online meetings, members from our Pratham chapter in India shared their in-person and online experiences. They shared that people who are not Rotary members end up considering membership in a club because of the fun time they have in their events. The new chapter in Nigeria had a social, with tea, of course, and seeing their photos is just heartwarming. Members are now talking about how to combine the fun of tea events with service opportunities. Tea production – including cultivation, processing, and sales – is a huge global industry. Personally, I want to do projects related to peace, economic development, and health involving tea. 

In the last two years, thanks to this Rotary tea community, I have made and met many friends in-person and online. I even met fellowship members in Portugal, Italy, the US, the Philippines, and Australia! I am very excited to meet more future friends on my travels. I specifically look forward to Rotary International conventions, where our members from all around the world meet at our booth at the House of Friendship and in other opportunities we arrange as a fellowship. We are very mindful to create both in-person and online ways to connect throughout the year to fully engage our community. 

Now that I’ve brewed and even spilled the Rotary Tea, I think it is time to serve it and have you experience it for yourself! If you love tea in any of its forms and expressions —boba, milk tea, chai, herbals, matcha, breakfasts, teapots, ceremonies and so much more — please join our Rotary Communi-TEA! Connect with fellow tea enthusiasts around the world and arrange to meet up for a cup (or pot) of tea, in-person or online!  

Join our community on Facebook and soak up the warmth of the Rotary Fellowship of Tea Lovers!