GML April 2018

VOL. 10-2017/18

Maternal & Child Health

APRIL 2018

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

Dear fellow Rotarians, In the Rotary world, the month of April is dedicated to According to the World Health Organization, pregnancy and childbirth are the leading causes of death and disability for women in developing countries. Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth. 80% of maternal deaths could be prevented with access to reproductive health services and trained health care workers.

This year I am happy to share that our District is undertaking a Global Grant project for Safe Motherhood and Infant Health in collaboration with RC Ludwigshafen-Rheinschanze (District 1860) Germany. The project is being headed by our District Chair, Maternal & Child Health and Rotary Club of Karachi Cosmopolitan is the lead club. The main objective of the project is to improve maternal and newborn health by using a two-pronged approach: 1. increase uptake of modern contraceptive methods in women attending 6 identified health facilities (4 maternity hospitals and 2 family planning (FP) clinics; 2. improve emergency obstetric and newborn care in 4 of these health facilities where deliveries are taking place.

Also train Lady Health Workers in counseling community women in family planning or referring them to health facilities. The program is being undertaken in 4 Maternity hospitals and 2 family planning centers in Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah and Khipro Sunder.

I would urge Rotarians and Clubs to fully support this program, and engage in coordinating, supporting and assist in resource mobilization to make it a success, thus contributing to in the lives of these less privileged mothers and ensuring a healthy future for their newborns.

Sincerely,

IAN RISELEY R EM I N D E R: TORONTO 2018

Ovais Ahmed Kohari District Governor

Ian Riseley personally invites you to attend the 2018 RI Convention, 23-27 June 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This Convention is sure to be the most inspiring Convention yet with an impressive turnout from Australia and New Zealand.

Vocational service is a standard of conduct toward every contact you make in your business and professional life. PRIP Robert Manchester

G O V E R N O R ’ S M O NT H LY L E T T E R VOL. 10-2017/18

APRIL 2018

Editor

The search for individual joy, satisfaction and happiness is universal, & I strongly believe it is a goal that can best be fulfilled by helping others. ~ PRIP Cliff Dochterman

Editorial

KISHWAR T. ALLAWALA Layout Concept & Design

ABBAS LAVINGIA Please submit articles to: Editor: Kishwar Tariq Allawala; Penthouse 1, 143-M/2, PECHS, Karachi 75400; cellular: +92 333 2291708; eMail: gml.d3271@gmail.com District Chair Publication: Abbas Lavingia, 503 Alamode Apartments, Block 8, Clifton, Karachi 75600, Pakistan; line: +92 21 32635257; cellular 0300/0321/345 8239019; eMail: abbas@lavingia.net District Secretary: Ali Hafeez Azmat; 4-C, Mohammad Ali Housing Society, Saeed Hai Road, Karachi 75350; line: +92 21 3 52 14 41 8; c el l ul a r : +9 2 33 3 2 29 80 98 ; eM a il : ali.h.azmat@gmail.com District Governor: Ovais Ahmed Kohari; 17 M. A. Jinnah Road, opp. KGA Ground, Karachi; line: +92 21 32250703, 32257213; cellular: +92 331 2713271; eMail: ovais.kohari@hotmail.com News Media Coordinator: Jawaid Babar; cellular: +92 300 3313252; eMail: jawaidbabart@gmail.com Send stories, queries, tips and photographs by mail or e-mail (high resolution digital images prefered). We assume no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

Published monthly by District Governor 3271, Pakistan.

Circulation restricted to rotarians only.

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Drop Mail You are welcome to make contributions to the GML. However, the editorial board reserves the right to edit or reject the material for reasons of suitability, accuracy or space. Please send your articles, club activity and attendance report to: RotarySecretariat3271@gmail.com. If you have old file photographs of any memorable events related to Rotary at district or international level, you are welcome to share with the GML team.

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April is Maternity and Child Health Month in Rotary calendar. It is also one of the six focus areas of Rotary. Maternal and Child Health services can be defined as promoting, preventing, therapeutic or rehabilitation facility or care for the mother and child. The program provides universal access to its services for children from birth to school age and their families.

Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth and millions of children die each year from treatable, preventable causes. At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation – all of which can be prevented. To help reduce this rate, Rotary provides immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improves access to essential medical services, and supports trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Rotary’s projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs.

Rotary expands access to quality care, so mothers and children everywhere can have the same opportunities for a healthy future.

It is of paramount importance to be a part of this focus area of Rotary. Each club in the district must make an effort to take up atleast one such project to save mothers and children!

Kishwar Tariq Allawala

Ian Riseley, Rotary International president, planting a tree in the Company’s Gardens.

As part of a dream to plant over a million trees, Rotary International has left its mark on the Company’s Gardens.

Rotary International president, Ian Riseley, joined local Rotary members to plant a pine oak in the Company’s Gardens. Riseley is a member of the Rotary Club of Sandringham in Victoria, Australia.

The planting commemorated the planting of a tree

by Rotary founder, Paul Harris, in 1934. Harris, an attorney from Chicago, formed the Rotary Club of Chicago in February 1905 so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities. Rotary members believe that they have a shared responsibility to take action on our world s most persistent issues. The over 35 000 clubs work together to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene, save mothers and children, support education, and grow local economies.

Riseley has called for every one of the 1.2 million Rotarians to plant a tree this year, making the case that protecting the environment and curbing climate change are essential to Rotary s goal of sustainable service. One of our objectives is to tell the world that Rotary cares about the environment. What could be simpler than planting one tree per Rotarian? I hope it shows Rotary cares for the planet on which we live and depend.

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

The State of Maternal and Child Health in Pakistan Maternal and Child Health is one of the six areas of Rotary focus, and one of the clubs of the District is the recipient of a Global Grant for improving this area.

It is heartening to note that maternal and child health has considerably improved globally (as well as in Pakistan) over the last three decades, since the launch of the Safe Motherhood Initiative in Nairobi by the World Health Organisation and its partners in 1987, and was further given a boost by the Population and Development Conference in Cairo in 1994. The first focused on taking measures to make pregnancy and motherhood safe by providing skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth, and by encouraging family planning; the second led to the recognition that fulfilling the rights of women and girls is central to a country’s development. Thus maternal health was declared an issue of human rights, equity, and social justice.

Maternal mortality is widely acknowledged as a general indicator of the overall health of a population, of the status of women in society, and of the functioning of the health system. High maternal mortality ratios are thus markers of wider problems of health status, gender inequalities, and health services in a country*.

A countrywide survey of maternal deaths in Pakistan was carried out and reported for the first time in the Pakistan Demographic and Household Survey 2006-07**. A survey of over 95,000 households revealed that 20% of the total female deaths were attributable to pregnancy-related causes.

The good news is that maternal mortality ratio in Pakistan has declined steadily from 400 in year 1990 to 330 in 2000, to 170 in 2013, a decline of 57%. The sad part is that the decline has been slow, slower than that of its neighbours which were at the same on lower level of socio-economic development e.g. Bangladesh showed a reduction over the same period of 70%, and India of 65%.

Other indicators of maternal health, besides mortality, are 1. total fertility rate; 2. contraceptive usage; 3. women receiving antenatal care from a skilled provider, and 4. births assisted by a skilled attendant. The first two are related, and the high total fertility rate (the number of children delivered per woman) of 3.8^ and the low contraceptive usage of 35.4%^ are responsible for the country’s rapid population growth which outstrips and thus negates all efforts of the government to increase literacy, improve healthcare, housing and provide other essential services. Besides, repeated pregnancies at short intervals adversely affect the health of the mother, and also lead to low birth weight babies, an important cause of poor health and deaths of newborns and infants.

The government is taking a serious view of the situation, and through FP2020 (Family Planning 2020) has set contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) targets for the different provinces e.g. for Sindh, the target is to improve CPR from 30 to 45%, and for Balochistan, to increase from 20 to 38%.

The next two indicators deal with the quality of care and access to health care. Put simply, the greater the percentage of women cared for in pregnancy by a skilled health provider (so that any risk factors and complications are recognized and taken care of), and are delivered by a skilled birth attendant, the better the maternal health is likely to be, and the lower the chances of adverse outcomes of pregnancy and labour, including maternal and neonatal death.

These indicators are greatly influenced, as well as compounded by several socio-economic factors such as poverty, female illiteracy, gender inequality, poor nutrition of adolescent girls and women, early marriages, lack of empowerment, unhygienic living conditions. Some of these affect women’s independence, decisionmaking, their mobility outside home, their access to health care, lack of knowledge of benefits of family planning. To this can be added, relatively poor health services (and their access) in rural areas and some urban and peri-urban slums.

Improving maternal health is, therefore, a complex task requiring numerous measures, and setting both short- and long-term goals.

Improving female literacy is a step in the right direction. Women with secondary, and even primary , education are known to look after their families better, access healthcare for themselves and their families, use birth spacing, and educate their own children.

Again, basic literacy is one of the six areas of Rotary focus, and several projects including two Global Grants are currently being utilized in our District.

An important long-term goal is improving the nutrition of women, both as regards quality as well as number of calories. Poor nutrition before and during pregnancy, and to the age of 2 years – the critical 1000 days – is a major determinant of stunting, which in many parts of the country is calculated to be 50%. Stunting implies that the body including the brain does not achieve its full potential; this has life-long effects on physical and mental development, and hence long-term health and economic consequences.

Nor is this all: in growth-restricted babies (a type which is small for gestational age), nature diverts blood supply to the important developing brain from the abdominal organs of the foetus; this results in smaller kidneys (with reduced number of renal glomeruli) and reduced pancreatic cells resulting in reduced insulin production. This is manifested in middle life (earlier than in their counterparts who are of appropriate birth weight) by the development of hypertension and diabetes mellitus respectively.

Focusing efforts on increasing female literacy, and improving the nutrition of women and children should be a top priority. The health of the women, as well as the health and welfare of future generations, depends on these crucial steps. *https://www.measureevaluation.org/prh/rh_indicators/womenshealth/sm/maternal-mortality-ratio-mmr **Pakistan Demographic and Household Survey 2006-07 ^Pakistan Demographic and Household Survey 2012-13

In Rotary, diversity is our strength. ~ RIP Ian Riseley

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

President's Representatives at DisCon 2018 Penny and Chris Offer served jointly as the President’s Representatives to the 2018 District Conference in Karachi. They both are members of the Rotary Club of Ladner in District 5040 British Columbia, Canada.

They both served as District Governor in 1999-2000 (Chris) and 201011 (Penny). Both continue to be active in Rotary serving at the Club, District, Zone and RI level. They have no children. They enjoy travelling, reading, cooking and photography.

We first learned about Rotary when Chris applied to be a member of a Group Study Exchange to India in 1981. That was an eye opening experience and the start of a long journey in Rotary and many wonderful Rotary experiences for both of us. Chris joined Rotary in 1987 and Penny joined in 2002.

We have been involved in International and Vocational service. We strongly support The Rotary Foundation, both financially and through service. Internationally, we have travelled to China and the Philippines on service projects and India for a National Immunization day. Chris has also been involved in Polio Surveillance Projects in Sudan, South Sudan and Nigeria.

We have also both been involved using our vocational skills in areas of training, administration and Rotary leadership at the club, district, zone, and international levels serving on a variety of committees.

For us it is the opportunity to meet many different people from all around the world, of many different nationalities, faiths and backgrounds, but who all have the same beliefs and values. It is the opportunity to learn more about other professions and communities and share our skills and expertise in the furtherance of Rotary goals.

Young people need to be ready to join Rotary and be at a point with their careers and families that they can incorporate Rotary into their lives. We need to start by connecting them with Rotary without the expectation of immediately joining a club. We can do this by inviting them to volunteer for service projects being done by Rotary clubs. We can ensure that they are welcome at club meetings and give them time to engage with Rotary in their own time. And we can provide mentors to young people, many of whom are looking for connections in their chosen careers.

I think we need to be diligent when we ask people to join Rotary, that we select quality individuals who believe in the motto Service Above Self. If people join for the right reasons and have the right qualities, this should not be an issue.Business networking is okay but should not be the only reason you are in Rotary. It is the reason Paul Harris started Rotary and provides an important foundation for carrying out effective service projects as leaders come together, share their business and professional skills, ideas and knowledge and together create change and take action to help others.

Rotary has always evolved to fit a changing world and continues to do so. That is one of its strengths as an organization and that is why it has remained a positive force in the world. There is a bigger need for Rotary in developing countries and membership is certainly shifting to reflect that. But we must keep Rotary strong in the rest of the world too so that the world overall becomes a more peaceful and equal place.

We had a fabulous experience as the RI President’s Representatives to the 2018 District Conference. It was a great pleasure to meet so many involved Rotarians, spouses and Rotaractors and to learn about your service projects. We were very warmly welcomed and felt comfortable immediately. We were amazed at the number of photographs and selfies that were taken.

Our visit to your District Conference, in a country so different from our own, reinforced the knowledge that Rotarians are all part of a large family. Despite differences, Rotarians can come together in friendship and respect for each other as human beings to make a difference in our world. Of course, Rotary is made up of human beings and with any organization there are at times issues and differences and personalities and politics. But with our motto of Service Above Self and our Four Way Test, Rotarians find ways of working together.

Pakistan is a country with extremes of haves and have nots. It has a lot of poverty and problems to overcome. But it is also a country whose people are friendly, welcoming and progressive. We enjoyed the opportunity to visit and learn about your culture.

We encourage the Rotarians in District 3271 to continue giving service and working to improve the lives of people in Pakistan. We commend you on your work to eradicate polio from your country. It is a massive undertaking which you are winning. The last case of polio is in sight. We will celebrate with you when Pakistan is declared Polio Free!

Humanitarian aid, including handmade teddy bears, being delivered to schools and orphanages in the Philippines

Chris and Penny participating in a Penny giving polio drops during polio walk in Burnaby in District 5040 an NID in India in 2015

Eradicating polio is the ultimate in sustainable service.

It must remain our number one priority. ~ RIP Ian Riseley

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

District Conference 2018 23rd - 25th March Rotary International District 3271

The district was fortunate to have PDGs Chris and Penny Offer from Canada representing Ian and Juliet Riseley as their personal representatives at the Discon 2018.

Prior to the official commencement of the Conference, a Cricket Match was held at night, followed by Table Tennis Tournament early in the morning, as well as a cycling event. All the events were immensely enjoyed by the Rotarians and guests.

The much awaited Discon 2018 commenced at the Movenpick with registrations in the morning. All delegates, especially the outstation delegates were welcomed to the conference. Registration desk was manned by the Chair PP Abbas Lavingia and Rtn Sagheer Ahmed with a team of Rotarians and Rotaractors. Arrangements were impeccable with registration, Discon tags and the kit bags. The number of registrations was close to 600.

Arrival of the RIPRs

A meeting of the College of Governors was held over lunch.

The Discon was inaugurated with the opening of the House of Friendship (HOF) by Rotary International President’s Representatives (RIPRs) Chris and Penny Offer. The HOF was very elaborately put up by the First Lady Aaliya Kohari, assisted by the spouses’ group. The RIPRs were taken around the HOF which was much appreciated by them. During the next two days HOF became a focal point of fellowship, showcasing of club projects, shopping and singing by amateurs, some of whom were better than the professionals.

The formal meeting was then called to order by the master of ceremony Rtn Mahin Khan, followed by recitation and translation by Dania and Mehwish Nisar, playing of National Anthems of Pakistan and Canada, bouquet presentations to Penny Offer by Aaliya Kohari, and to Aaliya Kohari by Kishwar Allawala.

Conference Committee Chair DGE Irfan Qureshi welcomed the delegates.

Pre Discon Sports - Table Tennis & Cycling

Discon Registration Desks

Visit to the Polio Resource Centre

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and work for their dreams. ~ PRIP Bill Boy

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

DG Ovais Ahmed Kohari in his address welcomed the delegates and guests. The DG emphasized on two major programmes, polio and literacy. He said it was not a time to be complacent but a time to be cautious with regards to polio eradication. He said that Rotary in Pakistan was hoping to make Pakistan a total literate country. With regards to the Rotary International President’s stress on planting 10,000 trees, clubs were planting trees and a club has taken up the urban forest project with trees being planted in thousands.

Here Rotary needs to step in to provide vocational training. Dascon is training welders and are exporting to the Middle East and in demand areas; this is a good way to invest in youngsters as they get trained, unemployment is checked and they send back remittances.

PDG Aziz Memon then introduced the RIPRs Chris and Penny Offer.

RIPR Chris Offer spoke on polio plus program and said that the health workers in Nigeria, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan were the true heroes. He then spoke about the Rotary Peace Programs that RI invests in and that Peace Fellowship is a leading peace program.

He said that in 2017 one candidate was selected from Pakistan. He requested that more students should apply for this program as Peace projects and partnership is not only justified, it is absolutely necessary.

RIPRs with the DG, First Lady, Aides Fauzia & Aftab Imam, Kishwar Allawala and Sumera Ali

This was followed by recognitions - for the Secretariat team by the DG and for the polio team by PDG Aziz Memon.

Finally, dinner was announced to be followed by a musical evening.

House of Friendship

The day started with In Memoriam by PP Ashraf Khan Ghouri.

First Plenary Session of the day was Economic and Community Development. The moderator was PP Navaid Khan and panelists were Dr Ishrat Hussain and Shaukat Tarin.

Dr Ishrat Hussain addressed the issues of poverty reduction and access to basic needs for economic and social development. He stressed that the responsibility of the community is to be good citizens by contributing to the state for the poor. 30% of the population lives below the poverty line, like in Baluchistan. Here the NGOs like Rotary need to become a partner with the government, even though they have taken up the responsibility of uplifting the lot by filling in the vacuum created by the state. CSR is just a token in this regard. 23million children are out of school, 15 million have no skills and no jobs.

DG Ovais Kohari presenting his welcome address DGE Irfan Qureshi giving his opening remarks

Presentation of Bouquets

Serving people through Rotary made me humble with a broader understanding of human need for help and assistance. ~ PRIP Carlo Ravizza

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

Shaukat Tarin said that 50 million people are living below the poverty line and economic problems hit us every 8-10 years. He underscored the need for economic and community development where Rotary and NGOs like Edhi are helping in their own fields and domain. But that is not enough. We cannot give the population handouts, we have to create opportunities to make them independent and do small businesses helping them to start up, funding for farmers and marketing their produce, free education, higher education; the government needs help from the private sector. Vocational training is a necessity, where Rotarians could pick up feasible ideas from other parts of the world. Micro credit could be created even though its difficult due to large pockets of poverty, but government and private sector can create a lot of such institutions so that there is competition and access, high interest rates should be avoided by charging only the bottom 15% as maintenance cost. He stressed that the government should lay down policies in various sectors and then let the private sector take over.

Shamsuddin Shaikh from Sind Engro Mining Company then spoke on Thar Coal Project. The speaker spoke on the Thar economy fuelled by unexplored and imported coal, local gas reserves were depleting and Sui is in a sorry state. So the company decided to do something for Thar as the private sector has to take care of the poor population there. He touched upon 2018 as the year of realizing the Thar dream, the best option for future, state of human development there, impact areas, vision and mission, betterment of the stakeholders i.e. the people of Thar by becoming the beneficiaries through being shareholders of the company. Thar Foundation has been working in various areas, especially in education and health sectors, apart from human resource development, local labour development, livelihood, infrastructure, drinking water, culture and heritage and tourist attraction, and women empowerment -25 Thari women are being trained as heavy dump truck drivers. At the heart of Thar Power Project is the drive to transform Thar.

The keynote speaker of the day was Abdullah Hussain Haroon. He spoke on Pakistan …Way Forward and on Pakistan’s Foreign Relations. He elaborated on Pakistan’s position in the international world and on the importance of good neighbourly relations. He further emphasized that stable economy will lead to progress and Pakistan has to play its role and work in that direction.

Recognition of the Discon/Secretariat Team

RIPRs Chris & Penny Offer, DG Ovais Kohari and DGE Irfan Qureshi with the theme flags ‘Making a Difference’

Speaker - Shaukat Tarin

Speaker - Abdullah Hussain Haroon

The greatness of a leader is to anticipate the future. ~ PRIP Carlo Ravizza

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

The Second Plenary Session was on Environmental Sustainability. Moderator was Rtn Shahzad Qureshi, while the panelists were Rtn Osama Anwar, Afia Salam, Dr Waqar Ahmed and Shubhendu Sharma (online). Dr Waqar Ahmed spoke on air pollution and the quality of water being disease carrier, potable water is not available, due to trap in solar heat there were 8000 deaths in urban areas in the recent past, sea breeze flushes out the pollutants but elsewhere they stay stagnant, sulfide oxide and nitrogen oxide in air exceed the set standard. Afia Salam was of the view that unplanned and rapid growth in population is problematic, fuel being provided is not up to standard and is infested with pollutants, vehicles are rapidly increasing and emitting smoke, trees being planted have to be of the right height to avoid respiratory problems. Osama Anwar said that instead of forests we have agricultural lands, 1.9% forest cover is heading towards deforestation, mangroves need to be planted as they save from tsunami and floods, awareness for forestation is there so plantation is in full swing in rural forests. But there is a lack of open parks, parks have landscaping rather than trees which need to be given a serious thought, we further need to grow vegetable and fruit gardens. Shubhendu Sharma talking online shared his experience of starting with a forest space at home for growing fruits, has now grown a forest where trees are growing in harmony with 3-5 trees per square meter. He emphasized that air, water and feed in the right proportion will help in creating wonders.

Speaker - Dr Shamsuddin Shaikh

Speaker - Javed Jabbar

Speaker - Dr Ishrat Hussain

Dr Mehta from India gave a brief introduction on the Jaipur Foot project. He said his association BMVSS set up in 1975 is a humanitarian, non sectarian, non profit organization for the disabled. So far it has benefitted 1.7 million people free of charge. He thanked Rotary for its support and for doing so much in all areas.

Third Plenary Session was on Polio Plus Program. The session was moderated by National Polio Plus Chair PDG Aziz Memon and chaired by Rotary Ulema Committee Chair Hanif Haji Tayyab. Panelists were Patrick Slavin from UNICEF, Dr Natalia Molodecky from WHO, Fayyaz Jatoi as the Sind EOC Coordinator, Sind Zonal Coordinator PP Masood Bhalli, DGE Irfan Qureshi, IPDG Saleem Rao, Polio National Committee member Rtn Dr Jewat Sunder. PDG Aziz Memon emphasized the need to be more vigilant with the high risk mobile population coming into Pakistan and reiterated that still a lot needs to be done. Hanif Haji Tayyab discussed

Session on Polio

Rotary must make haste even to keep up; but we must do more, we must lead. ~ Paul Harris

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

the importance of local ulema in dissemination of polio messages. Patrick Slavin said polio cases in the country have plummeted by 97% which is extraordinary and efforts must continue in this final stretch to make Pakistan polio free. Dr Natalia Molodecky said that the low transmission season provides the greatest opportunity to interrupt virus coming in from across the border. It is important to strengthen routine immunization particularly in the high risk areas. PP Masood Bhalli elaborated on support of Rotary to provide training facilities for CBVs and emphasized on the coverage of mobile population and missed children. Rtn Dr Jewat Sunder discussed problems in reaching far flung areas in Sanghar for coverage of children. DGE Irfan Qureshi reiterated holding of health camps after campaign rounds to cover missed children. IPDG Saleem Rao urged Rotarians to participate in the local district meetings.

Dr Pardeep Kumar in his expression of gratitude thanked them all for their valuable suggestions and all must help to bring polio eradication nearer and nearer. PDG Aziz Memon summarized the session by paying tribute to the frontline workers working for a noble cause.

Women in Rotary Fourth Plenary Session was on Role of Women in Rotary. The session opened with a beautifully sung dua. Rtn Ayesha Bela and President Masroor Peshimam from RCK Sunset Millennium then took charge of the session. Motivational songs were sung and a game show and quiz were conducted by RCK Creek President Rehana Naseer. This was followed by a panel discussion on Role of Women in Community Development. The session was moderated by AG Rashida Faheem, while the panelists were Psychiatrist Unaiza Niaz, Sabina Khatri from Kiran Foundation, Beverly D’Souza from Cornerstone Foundation, Senator Sana Jamali and Rtn Farah Javaid from Hunar Foundation. Mementoes were presented to all panelists by Aaliya Kohari.

RIPR Penny Offer gave her remarks on Women in Rotary. In her address Penny informed that it was for the first time in RI history that this was a joint RIPR experience. She said that Rotary brings us together despite our differences and that all clubs reflect differences and diversities. In fact, many men in Rotary say that Rotary Club would not exist had it not been for women. She traced the history of Rotary in relation to women. Since women have been in Rotary, the number of members has steadily increased. Women very quickly progressed towards DGs, RI trustee,

Session on Environment Sustainability

There has never been a strike- breaker to compare with service – service by the employer, service by the employee. ~ Paul Harris

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

RI Directors, RI VP and were steadily making gains in Rotary around the world. There were about 37% women Rotarians in Canada and 17% in Pakistan.

Chris and Penny Offer both were PDGs just as Ian and Juliet. At the Council of Legislation, clubs were given new kinds of memberships, including more flexibility for women. Penny paid tribute to women, especially mentioning polio workers who work in high risk areas making a difference in the lives of children being vaccinated. She summarized by underscoring that thousands of women are living as role models of Service Above Self.

DGE Irfan Qureshi gave a speech on Our Year Together.

He stressed on 3 Pillars of Service, 4 Way Test, 5 Core Values and 6 Focus Areas. He touched upon Membership, Service Projects, Foundation Giving, Public Image, Literacy, Rotaract, Women in Rotary and Polio as his focus areas for his term as the DG 2018-19.

RIPRs with the DGs - D 3271 & DG D 3272

DGND Farhan Essa as the DGN 2 then gave his Acceptance Speech. He invited his mother, wife and the family on stage and thanked them for their support all along.

After the tea break delegates snatched a two hour rest break before reassembling for dinner and entertainment.

Paul Harris Breakfast was hosted by RC Karachi.

District Accounts for the past year were presented by IPDG Saleem Rao. Clubs’ Showcase for the year was presented by various clubs – RC Karachi, RCK Clifton, RCK Cosmopolitan, RCK East, RCK Gateway, RCK Indus Valley, RCK Seaview, RCK Sind Valley, RC Hyderabad Galaxy, RC Nawabshah, RC Nawabshah Central, RC Nawabshah Executive, RC Khairpur, RC Sukkur.

Javed Jabbar was the keynote speaker for the last day of Discon. The topic chosen was Conflicts and Differences. Javed Jabbar touched upon various areas of conflict – India-Pakistan dialogue, open conflict in Pakistan and a need to find a way to de weaponize Pakistani society, Nucleur Weapons, China-Taiwan, 25 years of bloodshed in Sri Lanka, misuse of vote in Europe, wrong data used in Brexit. He said that conflicts go through different phases. He stressed that public awareness programs should also become a part of Rotary.

Session on Rotary Pakistan

Presentation of plaque to Presentation of plaque to DGE Irfan Qureshi DG 3272 Faiza Qamar

Rotary‘s true value lies in the work we do … without action, service above self is merely an idealistic phrase. ~ PRIP Luis Vincente Giay

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

DGN Rais Khan gave his Acceptance Speech as the DGN. The final Plenary Session was on Rotary Pakistan …

Looking Behind, Moving Ahead. Moderator of the session was PDG Muhammad Faiz Kidwai. Panelists were DG Ovais Kohari, DG Faiza Qamar, DGE Irfan Qureshi, IPDG Saleem Rao, PDG Iqbal Qureshi, PDG (3272) Dr Mansoor ul Haq, DGN (3272) Mubarak Ali Shahid, DGN Rais Khan, PDG Deepak Talwar and DGN Farhan Essa. All past and incoming DGs gave their views on various issues. PDG Faiz then summarized the discussion. The projects can become quality projects with effort. By laws are meant to be followed and should not be ignored and conflicts and differences can be resolved through them. Rotarians must be made aware of what Rotary actually is and we have to see what we can give to Rotary, fully utilizing the potential. All clubs should be sent forms to give names of members interested in various district committees and to utilize innumerable resources.

Clubs should take a lead, others will follow. He concluded by stressing that Sky is the Limit.

PP Abbas Lavingia gave an update on Toronto Convention 2018, inviting all Rotarians and families to the convention.

This was then followed by the Concluding Speech by RIPRs Chris and Penny Offer. They said that they were apprehensive in the beginning but were very happy now to be in Pakistan, having learnt so much about the country and having made new friends. They will share their experience of being in Pakistan and at the Discon. While In Karachi they had an opportunity to observe that a lot was being done to make a difference - children were generally in school, they were impressed visiting the polio resource centre, polio campaigns were regularly being held, they were satisfied that Rotary dollars were spent in the right place, the challenge of tree plantation has been taken up. The future of Rotary is the Rotaract and Interact, and Rotaract is strong here. DG, First Lady, their Aides, Conference Committee members were all thanked for looking after them so well and for a well organized conference. Aliya Kohari’s efforts were appreciated for the work with spouses and at the House of Friendship.

PDGs were appreciated for their involvement in committees. Chris put forth a few challenges: 1.

Important to build friendships and increase membership, we need to grow but with a quantity of quality. 2. Address the new logo. 3. Financially support TRF, no matter what the amount but each Rotarian must contribute.

Thanking the DG & the First Lady

Recognition of the Discon Team

Toronto Convention 2018

by Abbas Lavingia

Our Year Together by DGE Irfan Qureshi

Acceptance Speech by DGN Rais Khan

The future of Rotary depends entirely upon the character and standing of its individual members. ~ PRIP Russell Greiner

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

They were pleased to see a strong district team making a difference. They concluded their address by singing the English translation of Dil Dil Pakistan, expressing their love for Pakistan.

Then DG Ovais Kohari gave his Concluding Remarks.

While thanking all Rotarians, delegates, guests, volunteers, he especially mentioned the Conference Committee under its Chair Irfan Qureshi, PDG Faiz Kidwai, Sergeant at Arms, and the Secretariat Team for their untiring efforts in making the conference a great success. The DG especially thanked Chris and Penny Offer for their presence and guidance and for being a great source of inspiration. He concluded his address with a promise to continue working in the direction of Making a Difference.

Concluding remarks by RIPRs Chris & Penny

The Conference Committee Chair DGE Irfan Qureshi gave his Expression of Gratitude.

With this, lunch was announced and Conference was adjourned.

As a farewell to the distinguished guests, RCK President Pervaiz Kausar hosted an early private dinner before their departure.

RIPRs being presented with a plaque and gift

Rotarians with RIPR Chris

Acceptance Speech by DGND Farhan Abdullah Essa

Musical Entertainment

Rotaractors with DG Ovais

Rotary must make haste even to keep up; but we must do more, we must lead. ~ Paul Harris

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

Rotary Club of Karachi Lighthouse

Rotary Club of Karachi Karsaz

Rotary Club of Hyderabad

Rotary Club of Gateway

Rotary Club of Pearl

Always remember that the Rotary Foundation is the best present we have for the future of Rotary. ~ PRIP Luis Vincente Giay

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

Urban Forest RC Karachi planted trees at the Urban Forest Park in Clifton Block 5, Karachi. This project is initiated by Rtn Shahzad Qureshi who is creating country’s first Urban Forest based on Dr Miyawaki’s methodology. This method suggests that a natural forest can be created with the Native Trees of the area and proper biomass in the soil.

Forests created with this method grow 10 times the speed of normal plantation. They are 1000xmore bio diverse, generate 30xmore oxygen and absorb 30xmore CO2. They attract a lot of birds, insects and wildlife and are free from any chemical, fertilizer or pesticide.

With a thriving Foundation, Rotary will flourish into the future, bringing peace, health and happiness to people everywhere. ~ PRIP Robert Barth

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

sponsored a presentation on Literacy Initiative with Salaam Foundation and Spectrum

Observing World Health Day

Rotarians are men with hands extended in service, willing to reach out to enrich the lives of others. ~ PRIP Clem Renouf

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

Silver Jubilee Celebration

Rotary is a living, acting organization; its pillars are built on action. ~ PRIP Luis Vincente Giay

| Governor’s Monthly Letter | April 2018

We must fight against three great enemies: impatience, excessive belief in immediate achievements and our sense of aristocracy. ~ PRIP Joaquin Cybils

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