Page 3 - HUB Winter 2021

News from SOS Africa – they keep us well informed

Good afternoon from an autumnal Western Cape! I hope this email finds you are well?
Just a quick update... A few days ago we treated the SOS Africa kids from Somerset West to a trip to the Pottery House for
pizza and to paint their own plates. They have all worked hard throughout the previous term and really deserved the treat.
We were seriously impressed with their finished plates which are theirs to keep once they come out of the kiln.

We hope you like the photos! - Best wishes, Matt.
As you will see from the photos, as Matt says, Gideon is a very happy chap these days! However, he has had a mixed
report this term. Whilst he is excelling in some subjects, he is really struggling in others. They have already arranged extra
English and Maths lessons which will hopefully assist in these subjects as he prepares for High School. They have spent the
last few days filling out his High School application form. The great news is that if he does well this year, he will attend
Hottentots High School with the rest of the SOS kids. It is an excellent High School and they will be sure to keep
encouraging him with the rugby.
International Evening on Monday 12th April
Since this was to be held on Zoom, Alan had the great idea of asking Matt from SOS Africa if they could link with us on
that evening. An actual live link was impossible but Matt prepared two videos showing the work done there and narrated
by some of the staff. This really brought alive their work and the staff and pupils involved. Since Alan & Chris and Keith &
Christine had visited there in the spring of 2019 they were able to recognise some of the pupils and places they had seen.

As one Rotary Year ends so a new Rotary Year starts…

President David gave his Valedictory which was probably the most difficult to write. As he said, “It
was the Year that wasn’t.” However he did not dwell on the negatives about Covid but rather about
how we had survived and thrived. We had all mastered Zoom, had various speakers from far and
wide, supported many worthy causes and kept the spirit of Rotary in Dudley very much alive through
the Centenary Shield and other activities like the rambles where we could meet face to face. The only
drawback has been that membership could not be increased.
All members have received his full Valedictory and available from the Editor.
After his induction, President Colin gave all the members much to consider in
his Inaugural Address as he outlined his hopes for this the Club’s Centenary Year culminating in a
celebration in June 2022. He reflected on how the Club and society have changed in his 52 years as a
Rotarian and his third time as President. In keeping with this year’s theme of ‘Serve to change lives’, he hopes that the
Global Sight Solutions Project in Mumbai will continue to develop as also other projects within our own community.
One challenge he set was that each Committee should try a
new venture this year in conjunction with their usual
programmes. So here’s to a promising and active year with
Colin at the helm.

All members have received his full Address and available from
the Editor.
The same evening saw the induction of PP Pauline as First Vice
President and PP David Wilkes as Second Vice President.
Pauline will try to get it right as a President for the fourth time
(twice in Tipton) and David hopes to change from being a
Is it a case of Hear no Evil, See no Evil Zoom President to a real one who can meet you face to face…
and Speak no Evil?