Herbert, Leslee, Kees, Lynne, Graham, Bea, Paul, Aldwin in the picture

In May 2010 we were visited by the GSE Team members from the Phillipines. For newer Rotarians the GSE (Group Study Exchange) is an international goodwill exchange whereby teams of young professionals from a district in one country visit a district in another country.
The team have been in our district for three weeks and will spend another two before departing. They are hosted by six or seven clubs in turn, do presentations, tour, and do vocational visits. 

Over and above this parcel 5 large pallets with a total mass of 700kg containing more arrived a month ago via DHL but, as customs in SA are strict on the import of blankets and clothes, this consignment was impounded and kept in the state warehouse. We have spent time trying to get import permits and relief and, with the assistance of some customs officials and in particular DHL (who have also waived storage costs), the consignment should be delivered this week.
On Thursday 10th (on our birthday) these were delivered and we literally now have hundreds of little infant blankets to distribute.
This is a wonderful humanitarian gesture from these ladies and already we have numerous orphanages, hospitals and clinics where we will distribute these items to those impoverished in need.
Thank you Sweden!

2010 June - Report from Hans Ludolph
I have spent the day at Itsoseng. It is a real blessing to have the time to do so.
Firstly the Itsoseng Clinic has now benefitted the most

FUN DAY - 29th May 2010 @ FOREST FARM, William Nicol Drive
Not to be confused with the Forest Town School and at least 15 kilometers away, Forest Farm is a home for cerebral palsy. In the years that we have run the Fun Day, Forest Farm have always arrived with busloads of their residents until a few years ago when we ran into venue difficulties. Forest Farm stepped up and volunteered the use of their premises and, for some years, have enjoyed a wonderful partnership with them.
At the homes of our guests (homes for those with mental illness in Johannesburg, Alexandra and Soweto) the excitement of the Fun Day starts building up a month before the event, a highlight in their annual outing activity. As usual busloads of participants arrived to enjoy our games, win thousands of prizes, eat well and just enjoy the day.

Despite predictions of cold, we had a perfect Joburg winter day and, despite having no power, but with the help of Rotarians and Anns, Rotaractors and an army of Redhill and Bryanston Interactors, potential Rotarians, friends, and even Hakim, a visiting Rotarian from Quebec City, the games got under way. The prize table was like a bazaar, and the eats and drinks tables like the street vendors during a lunch-time rush hour in the city centre.
Then came a sing-along in the hall, and thereafter the lunch of boerie-rolls. Once all had filled themselves, everyone went out on to the field again anticipating the arrival of the Harley-Davidson bikers. The excitement built up when, far in the distance, one could hear the drone of these bikes. No matter whether our guest could walk or not, everyone got a ride around the field including those large enough to challenge the lifting ability of the Rotarians!
Sadly the day ended but our guests left with bags of winnings, eats and souvenirs. Roll on 2011.

 2010 May 

In March 2009 we handed over a 40-seater bus, equipped with a lift and facilities for wheelchairs, to the Forest Town School for the Handicapped in Forest Town just up the hill from the Joburg Zoo. Erich Springer initiated and championed this project and, with the assistance of Rotarians, also secured a matching grant. Very fortunately for us, the Rand fluctuated in our favour and we ended up with R200 000 extra. So, with some extra fund-raising and hard-bargaining with Toyota, Erich concluded a deal for a smaller bus. "A pregnancy last nine months, but in the case of busses, the gestation period is 14 months" says Erich. And so, on the 27th of May, Big Bus "delivered" (‘scuse the pun) a very bonny Little Bus. Welcome to the world and may you make many children happy.