D-2452 DG's Newsletter April 2022

District 2452 Governor’s Newsletter April Edition

District 2452 Governor’s Monthly letter .” Dear Fellow Rotarians, April is Maternal and Child Health Month. About 6 million children under five years die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. Rotary expands access to quality care, so that mothers and their children can live and grow stronger. Rotary provides education, immunizations, birth kits, and mobile health clinics. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease. In some parts of the world, mothers risk their lives giving birth, and millions of children die each year from treatable causes. We know that many of these deaths can be prevented if children and mothers have access to health services and trained health care workers. When we talk about children’s health, our clubs have so many projects in which our Rotarians are involved. We are involved in helping children in all our district countries. With bigger and bolder Global Grants projects, we have been supporting surgeries for children in Lebanon, Cyprus, Armenia and our other countries. Also, when we help to eradicate POLIO – we are talking about children’s health, as this terrible virus attacks primally children. As Rotarians, we know what we are up against. We also know that we can deliver on our promises in the area of maternal and child health. Our financial gifts to the Rotary Foundation can assist to aide in the need for Maternal and Child Health. We’re all very aware at this point of the devastation that is taking place in the world. It’s with deep sadness that we watch and see loved ones separated from each other. And then Rotary,, an organization without borders, moves in to serve, when governments can’t decide on which crisis to prioritize. When we donate money now to support the Ukrainian refugees, we are helping mothers and children; most of these refugees are women and children. Thank you for your donations for the refugees! In March, I was able finally arrange my visits to Palestinian Rotary clubs. It was a very exciting and motivating visit. I made sure. once again, that Rotary in our lovely Palestine is vibrant; and Rotarians are dedicated and committed to service. We still have so much to do to deliver our humanitarian programs to the community of the blessed country Palestine. Last but not least, our District Conference preparation is going on smoothly and only one month remains to that big event! Our District Conference is the first occasion in the last three years where we will all gather in person. So please join us for 3 days full of warm Rotary fellowship, of inspirational moments and lots of fun, to enjoy our time together and build stronger relationships. Armenia now has only 10 cases of Covid, and the country is totally open. I also assure you that, geographically and politically, we are very far from the region of the ongoing hostility in Ukraine. Don’t hesitate to Register now and share memorable moments with lovely friends! With warm Rotarian regards, DG Ashot Karapetyan

RIP Shekhar Mehta’s Presidential Message Friends, one of my mantras in Rotary has been do more, grow more. I am sure you are adopting this mantra. Do more, as in bigger and impactful service projects, and grow more, as in increasing our membership. There is so much excitement across the Rotary world about our Each One, Bring One effort. Everywhere I travel, club presidents, district governors, and Rotary members — both veteran and new — express appreciation that their membership efforts are inspiring the Rotary world. We are growing more, and I cannot wait to celebrate all of this success with you at the Rotary International Convention in Houston in June. There is still time to register and make your plans to join us. We are looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will unite our members after far too much time apart. As we grow more, we will have so much more opportunity to do more. April is Maternal and Child Health Month, a great opportunity for your clubs to consider what you are doing to support the health of mothers and young children. Improving access to care and the quality of care for women and children worldwide is an important focus for us and it also ties in very well with our Empowering Girls initiative. I appreciate the work being done by various clubs in this area of focus, and I would encourage you to think of ways to do more. It has been so exciting to see Rotary members come together at the presidential conferences to share ideas about using our areas of focus to bring about big, lasting change in the world. The past and upcoming presidential conferences are looking at our new area of focus — the environment — and how our work to protect our planet must support our efforts to grow local economies, especially in places with the greatest poverty. I also had the honor to speak at the 26th United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, known as COP26. This important meeting brought together nearly 100 heads of state and government over a two-week period to set new targets for fossil fuel emission. My call to action was to restore mangroves, a crucial ecosystem that can mitigate the effects of climate change in coastal areas. Already, countries across the world are showing great enthusiasm for this plan. Our survival is at stake — the damage of environmental catastrophe is already upon us — and so, too, is our ability to lift the world’s most needy out of poverty and offer them hope. We must find ways to protect our planet while sustaining the economic growth necessary to achieve our highest humanitarian goals. This is a very exciting time in Rotary, a time when the world needs us most. As we Serve to Change Lives, remember that we are also changing ourselves. We are becoming the world’s great change-makers and peacebuilders. The world is ready for us. It’s time to rise to that call.

April 2022 John F. Germ Trustee Chair 2021-22 What’s your Rotary moment — a time that strengthened your dedication to Rotary and confirmed you would be a lifetime Rotarian? I have had many such moments over the years, and they all had one thing in common: They showed me Rotary’s tangible power of turning our dreams of a better world into reality. Rotary members are exceptional at it. I see that power in my own club in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and now, as Rotary Foundation trustee chair, in clubs and districts around the world. Rotary members from Austria, Germany, Nigeria, and Switzerland are realizing their dream to help mothers and children in Nigeria. In partnership with several organizations, they have launched a multiyear, large-scale project to reduce unwanted births and drive down rates of maternal and child mortality. This project, once a vision of a few members but now the recipient of Foundation global grants, is training doctors, nurses, and midwives throughout all 36 states of Nigeria. Every great project begins in the minds of our members. You are the ones who see schools where adolescent girls have stopped attending because of the lack of private bathrooms. You are the ones who see families facing food shortages, the children who can’t read, and the communities with health problems caused by mosquitoes. You not only see these things, but because you are in Rotary, you also do something about them. And because of that engagement, over the past decade, the amount of money the Foundation has awarded for global grants has grown by more than 100 percent. As more and more Rotarians have become involved, to keep our grants going we have had to adjust and stretch those funds by reducing overhead and by other means. The reason is simple: While the need for these projects is increasing and grant participation is also on the rise, annual giving from Rotary members has stayed relatively static for years. Quite simply, we need more clubs and individuals to give to the Annual Fund to help keep our district and global grants thriving. This year, we set a goal of raising $125 million for the Annual Fund. We can’t realize your Rotary dreams or those of your fellow members without everyone’s support. Remember: It’s not about the money, but about what our money can do. I am a firm believer that when we all give what we can, both as clubs and individuals, to the Foundation every year, we take another step toward making the world a better place. Imagine the Rotary dreams we could make real if every member and every club got together and made a gift to our Foundation today. That would be quite a Rotary moment — for all of us.

OUR IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN The Rotary Foundation reaches mothers and children in need by giving communities the help and training they need to take control of their own maternal and infant health care. Mobile prenatal clinics “If mothers are Haiti has the highest maternal and infant mortality rate empowered and of any country in the western hemisphere. Rotary healthy, so are their provided a fully equipped medical Jeep to volunteers families, leading to and midwives to reach mothers and children in remote an alleviation of areas. poverty and hunger.” Robert Zinser, co- Cancer screening Rotarians provided a mobile cancer screening unit and founder of the awareness trainings around Chennai, India, where there Rotarian Action is a high mortality rate of women with breast and Group for Population cervical cancer due to late diagnosis. and Development and retired president Preventing injuries and deaths for Asia at chemical Rotary members launched a $3 million, five-year pilot to save lives of mothers and childrenduring home giant BASF deliveries in Nigeria. Since 2005, they’ve also repaired 1,500 obstetric fistulas — 500 more than their initial goal — restoring dignity and hope to vulnerable mothers.

UPDATES on Rotary Public Image Fellow Rotarians & Rotaractors You can have an important role in encouraging your clubs to tell their stories using the best Public Image campaign! Our reputation is our brand. Sometimes we feel that Rotary is the best kept secret and our challenge is to get the word out and tell our story. Recently Rotary introduced the latest global public image campaign: People of Action. This campaign brings the Rotary story to life in a way that narrows the gap between public awareness and understanding. The People of Action campaign communicates the essence of Rotary and reflects our values, such as: - We build lifelong relationships. - We honor our commitments. - We connect diverse perspectives. - We apply our leadership and expertise to solve social issues. To help your club spread this narrative in a clear, consistent, and compelling way, a set of People of Action campaign materials in the Brand Center: print, digital, and outdoor advertisements, as well as videos and other marketing resources have been developed. What is changing? You will see fresh, updated versions of many Rotary materials. The most important change, though, is how we talk about ourselves. We need you to talk a lot more about branding and how to use Rotary’s logos properly. We are working with you to build a strong Rotary because a strong Rotary – one that is recognizable, trusted, and united – has a much greater chance of attracting members, donors, volunteers, and partners. The aim is to have all of us talk about Rotary in the same way!!! District Public Image Chair May Monla Chmaytelly

Highlights in Global Leaders Today Magazine

Highlights in Global Leaders Today

Highlights in Global Leaders Today

Highlights in Global Leaders Today

PROJECTS AROUND THE GLOBE Tunisia The Rotaract Club of Tanit Carthage reprised its hit 2019 fashion show that spotlighted young cancer patients in late November, expanding the production to embrace young women and girls with other conditions, including amputation, skin conditions, and burn scars. A dozen participants strutted the catwalk for “Rac Mahlek,” or “You Are So Beautiful,” outfitted in specially prepared garments before an audience of roughly 150 in the ornate Ennejma Ezzahra Palace in Sidi Bou Said. “The purpose of this project is to show and make these women feel that they are beautiful despite differences, and that they are capable of doing anything they wish for,” says Aziz Jouini, president of the 24-member club. The event’s nine club organizers overlooked no detail, from the selection of the participants to the ballroom decorating to the hiring of hair stylists and makeup artists, musicians, and photographers, Jouini says. The program was funded with proceeds raised at a gala. “A parent of one of the participants suffering with cancer did not hesitate to thank us for making her daughter’s dream of walking the red carpet come true,” Jouini says. Cambodia Pan-Asian partnerships have boosted the Rotary Club of Phnom Penh Metro’s work to heighten educational opportunities for young Cambodians. With $4,000 donated by the Rotary Clubs of Osaka Central, Japan, and Taipei Yuanshan, Taiwan, the Phnom Penh Metro club collaborated with local crews from the Japan International Volunteer Center, a nongovernmental organization, to improve classroom space at the Osamaki Primary School in Siem Reap province. The 16-teacher facility, which serves 405 pupils, “had been suffering with a limited number of classrooms” that did not keep pace with its growing enrollment, says club member Michie Nishiguchi. Before the transformation, which converted one large room into two classrooms and upgraded the electrical wiring, walls, and flooring, the school had used a hut on the grounds for instruction — a “disastrous situation during heavy rains,” Nishiguchi says

PROJECTS AROUND THE GLOBE Canada In recent years, Rotary clubs in Grande Prairie, Alberta, have teamed with Rotaractors in semiannual collection drives that have netted basic clothing items for the needy. In late October, the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie joined with fellow Grande Prairie clubs — Swan City, Sunrise, and After Five — and the Rotaract Club of Grande Prairie to recruit a local junior league ice hockey team for a “Tighty-Whitey Toss”: Fans showered the rink with new packages of socks and underwear to celebrate the Grande Prairie Storm’s first goal just a few minutes into a game against the Blackfalds Bulldogs. Local institutions serving homeless people distributed the articles a few days later. “We collected over 160 gallons of socks and underwear from this event alone,” among the 12,000 pieces taken in during the month, says Carrie Sandboe, a member of the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie. “They are the most-needed staple clothing but are the least-donated items to centers. Portugal Making the best of a pandemic lockdown, six members of the Rotary Club of Estoi Palace International gathered fabric, thread, and needles to crochet or knit 120 teddy bears. In December, the club distributed the handiwork to a children’s home and a center for people with disabilities. “COVID has inspired us to find different ways to raise much-needed funds,” notes Club President Shirley Dunne, “so our members came up with the idea of crocheting ‘Happy Bears.’” About $1,900 also was collected to help fulfill the “wish lists” of the two local beneficiaries

Posted by: Dr Rami Sarkis PP RCBeirut Cedars (2017-2018) 2452 Medical and Wellness Group Chairman (22-25) On June 12th 2021 during the 2452 district conference held in Bahrain , PDG Mazen Al Umran officially declared the creation of the 2452 Medical and Wellness Group (“2452 MWG”) . This vocational Group will be a pillar of a humanitarian mission organized by health and wellness fellow Rotarians, from nine countries of the district with professional experience in the Medical and Medical related fields who share common Rotary values for supporting & promoting global health improvement through volunteering and networking. The goals of 2452 MWG are: Enhance Rotary’s impact and public image in district 2452. Unite likeminded Rotarians with a common vocational specialty and interest, from the District through Medical Scientific events and activities creating long lasting Networking fellowship and friendship. Provide support to district 2452 in planning and implementing large-scale Rotarian activities, bring technical and medical expertise, partners, funds, social events, scientific events and service projects. Give members and participants opportunities to engage in service activities outside of their own clubs, and countries in the district area. The 2452 Medical and Wellness Group is a proud chapter of H.E.W.R.A.G (Health Education and Wellness Rotary Action Group) https://hewrag.org/. The 2452 MWG is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of Directors from the nine countries of the District, the board respecting recognized Bylaws and Rules. Rami Sarkis – 2452 MWG Chairman (Lebanon) Lina Karaa (Jordan) Bharat Butaney (UAE ) David Kvirkveledze (Georgia ) George Papaleontiou (Cyprus ) Harb Al Omari (Bahrain) Suren Chirbakian (Armenia) Nadia Abdulhaq (Palestine) Membership in 2452 MWG is open to all members of Rotary Clubs (Rotarians), spouses of Rotarians, and members of Rotaract Clubs (Rotaractors) whose professions are in the Medical, Para Medical and Wellness (Medical related) fields in District 2452. Until today several virtual scientific lectures and meetings where held many and much more are yet to come, the most wanted and expected event is the First 2452 MWG Full Day conference which will be held on May 18th 2022, save the date and book your participation and seats.



DG VISIT TO PALESTINE

D2452 CLUB NEWS As part of commemorating the month of March “Water and Sanitation” Rotary Club of Manama visited the Pavilion, a water desalination technology company on the island that does water purification by using wind and solar energy. A very informative vocational visit during which the members of the club and other sister clubs came to know the technology used in the company which leads to minimizing waste by recycling it through other products. Rotary Club of Amman West resumed its \"Packages on Wheels\" Ramadan project post COVID. The Project provides food Packages to the less fortunate during the Holy Month of Ramadan. This year fellow members reached as far a Mukhaiba in the North of Jordan .. Thank you to all who supported this project .. This project was one of the first annual projects initiated by the club in its beginnings.

D2452 CLUB NEWS Rotary Club Nicosia - Aspelia donated a 7-seater car to the Nicosia Branch of the Cyprus Autism Association. The car was presented by the president of the club Joachim Schwerter to the president of the Association Mrs. Tasoulla Georgiadou and the director of the Association Mrs. Antonia Mesariti on 14 Dec 2021. The presentation was made in the presence of the General Director of the Ministry of Labor & Social Security Mr. Andreas Zachariades, Vice Governor Kevork Mahdessian, DDG Peter Ashdjian and members of Rotary Club Nicosia - Aspelia. The vehicle will transport autistic persons not only to and from their homes to the Centre for their therapies and skills training, but it will also take them around Nicosia for their socialization programmes and outings. The Rotary Club of Salmaniya organized a two-day RYLA event based on the theme of environmental sustainability called \"Sustainability Ideathon\". Day one participants formed groups of five to solve problems, improve presentation skills, brainstorm, and provide solutions to environmental challenges. The Rotary Club of Salmaniya completed day two of the RYLA “Sustainability Ideathon” on Saturday 12th of March 2022. Inspirational speakers were invited to talk to the students on environmental sustainability. The teams pitched their presentations to the judges: Halel Engineer, Sh Abdulla AlKhalifa, and Khalid Turk. The program concluded with awarding the participants and announcing the winners.

D2452 CLUB NEWS

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19-22 VENUES Multi Grand Hotel Raddison Blue Hotel UPDATES on tour program & VISA issues

Discover Armenia

2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston has been cleared for takeoff 4-8, June. We invite you and your organization to join nearly 30,000 global attendees to build awareness and generate leads at the live event in Houston. With a wide range of sponsorship possibilities, both onsite and virtual, our hope is that you join us next year to discover new and unique ways to engage the Rotary community. 2022 Rotary International Convention, 4-8 June Register now

We sincerely congratulate below mentioned clubs with their Charter Days. Go ahead, go stronger. Rotary Clubs of Amman Beirut Hills Ashrafieh Bur Dubai Jumeirah-Dubai Paphos Paphos Aphrodite

Dear friends, May Ramadan bring an abundance of peace and harmony to your home!