Whilst ChildAid is not an ‘official’ Rotary sponsored charity, we have been working with local clubs and districts for some years, providing both physical and on-line speakers for a growing number of club meetings. (To see at which Clubs and Conferences we have spoken at recently please download this list).
During this period we have also provided a number of opportunities for members to travel out to visit our projects, and working with various UK, Dutch and German clubs we have ensured district and global grants have had effective oversight through partnerships developed with Rotary in both Moldova and Ukraine.
Examples of our working together for the benefit of vulnerable children in Eastern Europe would include:
Matching Grant - 2016
In conjunction with the Rotary Club of Wednesfield , a successful grant application brought extensive sensory room facilities for children living with disabilities into Moldova, including training.
Fundraising Night - 2016
A private showing of “Midlife Cowboy” at the Lyric Theatre as a fundraiser lead by Rotary clubs. The comedian, writer and musician Tony Hawks put on a benefit show in support of the Centre in Moldova that bears his name due to his patronage. Jack Dee, Caroline Quentin and Ben Millar agreed to be part of a that evening.
District Grant - 2017
In conjunction with Rotary Club of Wednesfield and District 1210, provided a children’s centre in rural Moldova with an outdoor theatre and seating to help build confidence and self-esteem amongst the children.
Conference: 2017
District 1120 Conference Speaker, and exhibited in the House of Friendship
Fundraising Night - 2017
Rotary Club of Westminster International supported an evening of entertainment at the Charing Cross Theatre hosted by the comic and writer Tony Hawks, supported by his friends
Conference: 2018
District 1210 shared Speaker Slot and exhibited in the House of Friendship
Conference: 2019
Attended District 1145 Conference, exhibiting in the House of Friendship
Club Grant - 2019
In conjunction with Rotary Club of Wednesfield provided books and Bibles to the children’s centre in Vălcineț, Moldova
Global Grant - 2019
Following a successful application with Chisinau Cosmopolitan, Moldova and Wednesfield, West Midlands with funding support from Chislehurst, South Foreland, Ironbridge, Venlo and Willich Clubs, this project is bringing the key disciplines of occupational therapy training to trained therapists for children and families affected by disability.
Visits - 2019
In September Rotarians from Kent, West Midlands, Holland and Germany joined us in Moldova for the Opening Conference as we commissioned our occupational therapy programme. Time also provided opportunity for all those visiting to meet enjoy fellowship with local Rotarians; visit Transnistria and our supported school in Vălcineț, along with the Tony Hawks Centre, ORA Moldova’s distribution centre, and the main children’s hospital located in the capital.
Quadrangular Clubs Grant 2019
In conjunction with Rotary Club of Folkestone, in association with their partner clubs in France, Belgium and Germany, provided 10 computers, projectors and screens to the school in Vălcineț in order to aid teaching methods. Other teaching equipment was also purchased.
Covid-19 – 2020 and 2021
While plans for visits for almost two years had to be cancelled in response to the pandemic, ChildAid developed a PowerPoint presentation which we have offered widely to Rotary Clubs meeting on-line, typically under “Zoom”.
Club Grant - 2021
To paint colourful murals on dull and drab walls of children's ward in Chisinau hospital
Club Grant - 2022
To support the work of Rotary Club of Chisinau Cosmopolitan with the emergency effort for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova
Ultimately ChildAid would like to develop long term links with Districts, where Clubs within those Districts who feel drawn to support our programmes for vulnerable and disabled children in Eastern Europe might wish to participate. We are seeking to not just benefit ourselves, but also Rotarians who become involved in terms of the goodwill and fellowship achieved through partnerships with Rotary Clubs both in Ukraine and Moldova.
To see at which Clubs and Conferences we have spoken at recently please see this list.