My Rotary Moment

You often here about people talking at the international level of their “Rotary Moment”.  I’ve never really thought about this and what it means to me, but perhaps it’s about time I did!

Having been involved in the organisation for the past 17 years, previously as a Rotaractor (18-30) in several clubs, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience many different things and meet so many inspiration people.

However I have to say that there is one trip that I can honestly say was my Rotary Moment, which I experienced when I was only 19 years old.  I was invited to go on a trip to Romania with the Mayor of Bournemouth, representing Bournemouth Rotaract Club.

Whilst there we visited an infectious diseases clinic.  We were all deeply touched by the terrible plight of the orphans, not only infected with HIV, but who also had terrible learning difficulties.  During one visit we were taken to a room where seven 12 year old children lived, still small enough to be confined to their cots wearing nappies, some of them physically restrained.

We were stunned…not only by the sight but also by the lingering smell of complete destitution.  How could these children be treated like this?

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​Upon returning to England we felt it was imperative to do something that would have a positive impact on these children’s lives.  Building upon this momentum we decided to form a charitable project named simply how we felt, ‘Can’t Walk Away’.

To date we have raised a total of approximately £120,000 and have removed the children from the orphanage into a small family home with round-the-clock care.  The children, who are in fact now adults, enjoy as normal a life as possible with access to the outdoors, love, care and affection.

​This really is my Rotary Moment as it was during, and immediately after, the trip to Romania I knew I had to do something to help these children; and it was Rotary that made this all possible.

My trip to Romania, and helping to set up Can’t Walk Away, influenced my life far more than I was expecting at the time.  It taught me that every little thing we see in life helps us to learn and what we do as a result really does have the ability to make a huge difference to someone else’s life.

I hope, in fact I know, that everything we do as a club is making a difference to people’s lives both in our town, and throughout the world.  So thank you to all club members for joining Maidenhead Bridge Rotary, thank you for volunteering your time and talents, thank you for being you.
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Lisa