In pursuit of this year’s Rotary International theme, “Be a Gift to the World,” the Rotary Club of Hilo seized an opportunity to deliver humanitarian aid with a personal touch to two sister Rotary Clubs on lands in the Indian
In pursuit of this year’s Rotary International theme, “Be a Gift to the World,” the Rotary Club of Hilo seized an opportunity to deliver humanitarian aid with a personal touch to two sister Rotary Clubs on lands in the Indian Ocean.
The club’s president, Wally Wong, was selected to travel on the Hokule‘a voyaging canoe during its August 2015 journey through the Indian Ocean. As a crew member representing Hawaii’s long tradition of international maritime navigators, Wong had a unique dual role opportunity to deliver a gift to two Rotary sister clubs in Bali and on the island of Mauritius.
Flying into Bali, Wong delivered a check to the Rotary Club of Bali Nuaa Dua for $3,500 to provide scholarship funds for underprivileged and disadvantaged children in Bali affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Rotary Club of Hilo contributed $3,000 and the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise added an additional $500.
“This journey with the Hokule‘a is one I won’t ever forget,” Wong said. “It’s always amazing to me how Rotary can provide an immediate personal relationship — whether locally, nationally or internationally. It was just like lunching with our own Hilo club! And members of the Rotary Club of Nuaa Dua were really gracious hosts.”
After the Bali meeting, the Hokule‘a crew set sail for Mauritius, off the east coast of South Africa in the Indian Ocean.
Thirty-two days later, the voyaging canoe landed in Port Saint Louis, Mauritius, and was greeted by the Rotaract Club of Port Saint Louis.
Rotaract, a youth group that is a part of all Rotary clubs, was just launching an eight-month project to employ the homeless and other disadvantaged individuals to help in the refurbishment of several family homes, including the installation of several new water tanks that would allow potable water storage during frequent periods when central water supplies are cut off because of inadequate supply.
Wong was able to deliver a gift of $1,500 donated by members of the Rotary Club of Hilo. The gift will be used to purchase water tanks and obtain building materials to refurbish the homes.
For more information about Rotary and specifically the Rotary Club of Hilo, visit hilorotary.org. Click on “Contact Us” for a personal contact from the club.
