The Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project,
Budaka, Uganda

This is a joint project between Glen Katherine PS and the Rotary Clubs of Eltham and Muyenga, Kampala in Uganda.

The project of the Indigo Foundation is managed by Eltham resident and Indigo Foundation volunteer, Ian Seal. Eltham Rotary has recently donated $2,400 enabling the construction of a spring water protection and filtration structure providing a community with access to fresh water. This replaces collection of spring water from swamps contaminated by animal droppings and mud.

In parallel, year 5 & 6 students at Glen Katherine Primary School have raised $165AU, enough funds to purchase 900 books, 200 pens and 200 pencils which will enable 100 Budaka students to start their schooling. Ian Seal is traveling to Uganda in May and will take with him the students' donation along with photos, short film and messages for children attending Katira Primary School in Budaka.

This community building project will develop a continuing relationship between the schools, Rotary clubs and the Budaka community – building communities, bridging continents.

AQUABOX Australia

The Rotary Club of Eltham is the Australian focus for the funding, assembly and distribution of Aquaboxes – containing water filtration and treatment and humanitarian aid – distributed to provide immediate access to safe drinking water for communities affected by disasters. In 2009-10 Aquaboxes from Australia were airlifted to provide relief in Samoa, Phillipines, and Haiti.

The disasters in 2009-10 have depleted the stocks of Aquaboxes worldwide and Eltham Rotary is actively seeking support for the production of a stock of 600 Aquaboxes to ensure immediate response capability for future disasters.

Rotary Club of Dili, East Timor

Eltham Rotary is sponsoring local Timorese members to actively participate in the Rotary Club of Dili. This support to local involvement is essential to grow the Dili club and ensure its effectiveness in this country with high needs for development assistance.

Rotahomes Project, Lautoka, Fiji

The Fiji Rotahomes Model Village Project aims to provide permanent cyclone resistant housing for displaced and disadvantaged people in Fiji. The project started in 1985 following cyclones that devastated large areas of Fiji and left thousands homeless in the Lautoka and Ba areas.

To date 80 families have been resettled in new homes with facilities such as a kindergarten, shop, office and playground.

Stage 2 of the project will involve the construction of a further 160 homes. The homes are simple timber framed and steel clad homes, each with a kitchen/shower, toilet block. A team of 11 Eltham Rotarians and friends will be working on the Rotahomes project in Fiji for 2 weeks in June 2010.

This will be the third Eltham working team to participate in the Fiji Rotahomes project following successful results in previous years.