International Service
2014-2015 Zimbabwe Vocation Training Team
Rotarians Dr. Phil Mitchell and Past President Dr. Roy King led the first Vocation Training Team (VTT) from District 6780 to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The team consisted of trauma nurses and doctors from the University of Tennessee trauma unit and were tasked with setting up an Advanced Trauma Life Support training program for ER nurses and doctors. In addition, the team was able to add several facets to the project. Firstly, the team was able to fill a container of supplies generously donated by members of our club, Secondly, we were also able to teach a short but intensive pathology course to the third year medical students.
Click here to read the Zimbabwe Rotary Spring 2016 update.
Twin Club Connections
After the Iron Curtain came down in 1990, Rotary International reached out and helped get Rotary clubs started in the former Communist countries. Five members of the Rotary Club of Knoxville flew to Budapest in November 1995. The club had invited the presidents of the 12 new Hungarian Rotary clubs from all around Hungary to a special "Tennessee Rotary welcomes you to the world of Rotary" luncheon event. It was on Nov. 2 and a snow storm/blizzard occurred. The Knoxville travelers held their breath. Would the Rotarians make it to Budapest for this special gathering? Yes, they all made it! During this event the Knoxville Rotarians learned that Mateszalka Rotarians had a dream to rebuild a summer camp that had been used for training Communist youth, but that now the camp - called Camp Tridea - is envisioned as a place that could offer fresh air and a few weeks of happiness for refugee children, orphans and underprivileged children in the eastern area of Hungary. Social services had been drastically reduced, and there was little laughter and joy for poor children. The Mateszalka Rotarians wanted to change that and we, The Rotary Club of Knoxville, said we would help them. Thus we became partners and our Twin Club connections began.
Over the past 20 years, the Knoxville Rotarians have come to know and cherish every member of the Mateszalka club and the members of their families. By working together, sharing meals, toasting and getting to know one another and appreciating our different cultures, we have not only helped many children, but have reminded ourselves that goodwill, peace and better understanding in the world starts when we share our time, talents, meals and hearts together.
Read more about visits and the many projects that have been completed.
News From Our Twin Club in Knysna, South Africa
Are you curious about about our Twin Club in Knysna, South Africa?
RCK's Past President Mike Shires lives in Knysna and his wife, Sandy, operates a Rotary sponsored breakfast feeding program for township residents who are out looking for day work each morning. If those looking for work have a meal in the early morning, they will be able to work better. Our club has partnered with the Knysna Rotary Club for over eight years and helped renovate several pre-school facilities and we have collaborated on several matching grants to benefit young township children. RCK Board member Allen Pannell and his children traveled to Knysna a few years ago and while there they painted a pre-school, which is called a creche in South Africa. We have sent several teams of Interact students to Knysna and Stanford, SA to help and learn about South Africa.
Read more about visits and the many projects that have been completed.
Learn about the dynamic Rotary Club of Knysna on their website.