Kia ora Rotarians.
Greetings from Cell Block 59 (McDonnell Rd, Arrowtown), and I trust that this Bulletin finds you all in good heart and good spirits and enjoying the demands of forced containment along with the other souls who have the privilege of sharing with you in your bubble.
So the lawns are mowed, I have been spotted in the garden, BBQ cleaned, towels are folded, I chased a number of bubbles around the cars, so they are washed (again), vacuuming complete, and Rosanna is still being looked after to the standard to which she has become accustomed. However, before I forget, I still have a Rotary blog to produce.
I have started to write a book about my imprisonment at the hand of the state, and was going to call it the “Long Walk to Freedom.” However I understand that the title has already been taken by a well known author called Nelson Mandela.
Speaking of Nelson Mandela, Rosanna and I visited Robin Island while in Capetown a few years ago. We visited the cell in which he was subjected to 27 years of imprisonment and, it is fair to say, the level of comfort between my cell in Arrowtown and his cell in the prison at Robin Island bears no comparison. I should imagine that, while clearly inconvenienced during this period of lockdown, we are doing so in a level of comfort by comparison with many and for that we should be very grateful.
Nelson Mandela's cell The general population's cell
Inside the walls of Robin Island
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others” Nelson Mandela
Birthday Greetings:
75th Birthday greetings on Thursday 2 April to Bruce.
Pat advised me that she was going to be spoiling him with bubbles and salmon on the balcony in the sun. Happy Birthday Bruce from our Rotary Club.
Take care and make sure you give Pat a big hug in appreciation.
Exercise Regime
Keep up your fitness and personal exercise. Here for you anaerobic pleasure is a simple solution.
Past President Russell McGrouther
Russell completed his treatment regime in Dunedin last Tuesday and so is clearly excited as he leaves the hospital with a spring in his step. He seems relaxed about the prospect of tea and bikkies, as served by Ruth, as the pics attached show. I think he is struggling with the crossword though!!
We are all delighted for you Russell and trust you continue your return to full health.
Uganda
The global pandemic has now hit Uganda and I am watching with interest the growth in Covid-19 cases on the ground there. The Ugandan President has invoked a nation-wide lockdown similar to but slightly different to the lockdown here in NZ.
The risk of course is to the urban populations in cities such as Kampala with 1.7 million citizens and Uganda as whole with a total population of 45 million.
The Fountain of Peace compound is in Rwenjaza, about 5 hours west of Kampala and the 52 babies in our care along with the Mums, and a skeleton support staff, are isolated inside the compound. The Rwenjaza Hillside School is now closed until further notice and the 550 pupils have been requested to remain in their respective villages and houses.
Food and produce has taken a price hike and we have transferred further funds across to our Ugandan Team to assist them to provide for the children and the staff through this crisis. Obviously travel to Uganda is now off the table so we will not be returning to Uganda in 2020 at this point.
William and Stella (Fountain of Peace Uganda), who many of you will remember from when they visited NZ and attended Rotary with us last year, are pictured below with their own family in lockdown in Kampala. They send their love to the Queenstown Rotary Club.
Some Good News:
In an attempt to alleviate the boredom and have something to look forward to, we pinned a large map of the world up on a board in the kitchen.
We agreed that once the lockdown is over and the Covid-19 crisis is done that we would take a two week holiday to wherever in the world you can land a dart.
So great excitement now, as apparently we will be spending a fortnight behind the “fridge”!
Stay safe, stay healthy, look after each other, and keep you chins up. We will get through this crisis and at some point a new normal will resume.
As per previous bulletins, keep me posted should you be aware of any Rotarians who may need some level of assistance, some groceries, some medicines, etc and we will endeavour to provide a solution.
Would be keen to hear of celebrations, like birthday’s, wedding anniversaries, husbands doing dishes etc and we could ensure that they find their way into future Bulletins.
Now the Rotary blog is done for the week I think I will lie on the couch and watch a rerun of my new favourite movie. “Home Alone”
Catch you next week team.
Nga mihi mahana
Ross
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