The three dates, 16th, 17th & 18th of November 09, had been declared as the National Polio Plus campaign. This Club participated in the campaign with its traditional fervor and zeal, in a big way.
The Polio “Awareness” programme was schedule at the Qurban Trust School & College at Walton Road, Lahore. An informative and educative lecture was delivered to the children, Teachers and the school Administrative staff by IPDG Rtn. M. Saeed Shamsi.
Earlier, a big stock of pencils specially prepared for Polio awareness by PDG Aziz Memon Chairman National Polio Plus had been received, every child in the school was presented with the Rotary pencil. The children has promised to carry the message back home.
On the 1st Polio Day, the 16th Nov 09, the Clubs officers and members visited the basic health care centre at Barkat Market, with the Rotary kit of caps and T-shirts. From that unit the teams of volunteers spread out to neighboring localities such as the village Jevan Haana. Hundreds of children were administered the Polio drops.
On the 2nd Day of the campaign: 17th Nov 09, the Club team visited Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled which was thronged with children. Polio and vitamin drops were administered to the children.
To continue the “Awareness” programme to the children and the elders Rtn.PP Mansoor-ul-Haq the District Co-Chairman North annual giving Rotary Foundation, a member of the Club delivered a speech in the school to the children and the staff. Only he could accomplish the feat. It is not every ones pie to speak to children on a medical / health issue of a dreadful disease like Polio.
On the 3rd Day of the campaign: 18th Nov 09, the Rotarians went to their adopted village Kot Whadawa Singh and the near by large village of Kamaha. The presence of lady volunteers in the Rotary team was very helpful. Instead of knocking at the door for presenting a child of house hold, the lady volunteers could go inside the homes, identify children with the need of Polio drops, and administered the required dosage. This proved to be an ideal approach to make the campaign a success.
It is unfortunate that in Pakistan Polio has re-surfaced, affecting 3 out of 4 provinces, with an increasing number of Polio-stricken children. There lies the imminently urgent need to double up Rotary efforts in making Pakistan a Polio-free region.
Kind regards,
Yours in Rotary
Rehana Baray
President
Rotary Club of Lahore Sharqi
