By PDG Belinda Yeung, JP, Rotary Club of Hong Kong Harbour
May is Youth Service Month
As we enter May, we celebrate Youth Service Month, a time dedicated to empowering and supporting the next generation of leaders. Today’s youth face unique challenges, including access to quality education, a rapidly changing job market, and numerous social and environmental issues. Recognizing the importance of nurturing young minds, Rotary is dedicated to providing opportunities for personal growth and development, leadership training, and community engagement for young people around the world.
Through programs like Rotaract, Interact, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), The Rotary Foundation actively invests in the potential of our future leaders. These initiatives offer young individuals the chance to develop their skills, expand their networks, and make a meaningful impact on local and global issues. Let us embrace Youth Service Month as a reminder of our shared responsibility to foster the growth and development of the next generation, paving the way for a better and more prosperous world.
Rotary Video: Rotary Gives At-Risk Youth Second Chances to Turn Their Lives Around.
The video showcases the collaboration between Toronto Rotary clubs and the PACT Urban Peace Program, transforming at-risk youth’s lives. It highlights Akeem Stephenson’s journey, who overcame challenges with PACT’s help. This meaningful Rotary project serves as a powerful example for District 3450, inspiring us to reach out and support at-risk youth in our own communities.
D3450 Rotary Figures
Happy Birthday Paul Harris cum Major Donors Appreciation Dinner
On 19 April 2023 (Wednesday), District Governor Norman Lee and the District Foundation Committee Chair Past District Governor Belinda Yeung co-hosted a special event to celebrate Paul Harris 155th Birthday and to show appreciation to Major Donors, members from the Bequest Society and the Paul Harris Society. The Dinner sponsored by the Regala SkyCity Hotel took place in its state-of-the-art Ballroom.
More than 160 Rotarians attended the Dinner, with some 20 Rotarians from Macao joining the special celebration. DG Norman welcomed everyone and was happy to see everyone reconnect again since the long absence from a physical get-together. PDG Belinda presented highlights on Doing Good in the World and thanked everyone for Giving to the Foundation.
After the birthday cake-cutting ceremony, the Dinner commenced with The Magnificent Rotary Service Team, with District Leaders acting as waiters and waitresses, serving those at the table as we are People of Action. Everyone felt so privileged!
PDG Keith Chow collected the highest tips and was honoured with the Best Service Award.
The Sing for Rotary had invited six Rotarians and friends to sing with a live band accompanying, pushing the evening to its climax; and appealing for continuous donations to the Foundation. There were many touching moments during the performances, performer holding hands with his spouse; bouquets presented to the performers; and guests dancing on the floor to the upbeat music. All and all, the performances brought the evening to a new height with all Rotarians’ continuous donations to the Foundation.
Generous support from Rotary and friends donated limited and precious items for the Auction of the evening. There were seven items on the Auction floor, from a limited-edition painting donated by RI President Jennifer Jones to limited-edition watches, a diamond ring, a diamond pendant, a magnum bottle of Burgundy, and Chinese calligraphy. Exciting biddings enveloped the Ballroom during the auction period. A happy ending when all successful bidders received their items and contributed to the Foundation at the same time.
Live band music singing carried on till late into the hour. While all present were in high spirits and enjoyed the fellowship, the Birthday cum Appreciation Dinner raised a sum of over US$116,000.
The District Foundation Committee recognizes PP Angela Hui as Chair of the Organizing Committee, supported by PP Grace Yen, CP George Wong, PP Dora Liu, and P Joey Li. Appreciation also goes to PP Henry Wong, PP Josephine Leung, and PP Francis Chan as the Master of Ceremonies, PP Gautam Daswani as the Auctioneer, and PP Joyce Mak, PP Thomas Chan, and PP Alex Lau as the Working Team.
Grant Management Seminar: April 22nd 2023
On April 22nd 2023, incoming Club Presidents and Club Foundation Chairs gathered to learn valuable insights into obtaining funding from District Grants and Global Grants, as well as the intricacies of the application process. The seminar featured engaging case studies that demonstrated real-world examples of how Rotary Clubs have effectively applied for grants to achieve their goals.
Throughout the event, participants delved into essential topics such as Stewardship, District Grants, Global Grants, and Financing. Interactive activities, including case studies and quizzes, provided attendees with hands-on learning experiences, and the top winners were rewarded with special prizes. We extend our gratitude to all attendees for their active participation. We are confident that the knowledge gained at the Grant Management Seminar will enable Rotary Clubs to effectively apply for and utilize Rotary Foundation Grants.
Yours in Rotary,
PP Susan Chan
OC Chair of District Rotary Grant Management Seminar
For more photos from our Grant Management Seminar, please click here
Rotary Foundation Recognition Spotlight
About Past President Fakhrul Islam Babu
Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu is an accomplished professional with experience in international trading, business development, and administrative management. His expertise extends to letter of credit-related matters, and he is skilled in negotiation, sales management, team building, and strategic sourcing. Dr. Babu is also well-versed in Hong Kong immigration affairs, company, and inland revenue-related matters, and works as a freelance management consultant.
A devoted Rotarian and social activist, Dr. Babu has been working towards a poverty-free, peaceful world since joining Rotary International as an Interactor in 1993. He has consistently supported The Rotary Foundation through fundraising and regular donations, contributing over USD 7,000 from his earnings and inspiring others to donate as well. Actively engaged in polio eradication efforts since his college years, Dr. Babu is a Paul P. Harris Major Donor and Benefactor of the Rotary Foundation.
As a Past President of Rotary Club of Dhaka Orchid, RID3281, Dr. Babu has served the district in various capacities, including as DGs AID, Regional Public Image Committee Chair, and Additional District Coordinator. He continues to be an active Rotarian, committed to making a lasting impact in his community and beyond.
What are you most proud of in your life?
Of course, being a father is what I am most proud of my life. I feel good when I visit my orphanage, and I can see about 180 kids smiling at my initiatives.
How did you become a Rotarian, and how do you feel about being a Rotarian?
I joined the Rotary family as an interactor in 1993. I served Interact Club as President and Interact District 3280 in many roles. Then, under professional pressure, I could not join Rotaract. In 2009, I joined the Rotary Club of Dhaka Orchid RID3280 Bangladesh and served the club as President twice. I served District 3280 and 3281 in various positions as District Public Image Chair, Deputy Governor, and DG’s Special Aide, and I served RI as the TRF CADRE OF TECHNICAL ADVISERS from 2015 to 2021. In my tenure of Presidency, I was awarded the best president of the district. When I moved to Hong Kong for my professional needs in 2020, I found the Rotary Club of Kowloon Golden Mile, a friendly club, and joined here. I am happy with this club’s activities.
What inspired you to become a Major Donor?
As a Rotarian, I am always concerned about our Rotary Foundation. I never took Rotary only for fellowship. If any person goes through the Rotary motto, goals, and activities of TRF, they should always be funding the foundation to the best of their ability. I am engaged with a small business that is just enough to maintain my family of four members. But as you can see, I am maintaining a charity foundation in my country and need to feed about 200 people. I believe in charity; one should have a good heart rather than an exemplary ability.
What impact do you hope your donation will have on society and/or future generations?
I believe that a word contribution is more than a donation. When a big charity is already happening, a group of people is working with the motto “Service Above Self.” How will you donate them? I want to say I am contributing to the efforts. I want to be a part of the work.
Yes, every contribution is for change, for imagining goodwill; that is what TRF has been doing for over a hundred years.
When you think about The Rotary Foundation’s future, what are you most excited about?
As we know, we are already close to achieving End Polio. I hope TRF will find some specific problem in the world and end that, like Polio, unlike work in many sectors. I wish TRF grant activities would be easy for the beneficiaries and grant applications would be less managerial. Sometimes, victims could not get grants or help from the TRF for many formalities.
Anything you wish to share with fellow Rotarians?
Of course, Rotary is not only for hosting a lunch or dinner party. Please focus on the humanitarian projects of Rotary, engage yourself, and contribute to those activities.
Change Lives, Change the World.
Thank you so much Past President Babu for your heart to serve.
You are truly living Service Above Self!
Thank you for supporting Rotary Foundation!
Mark Your Diary
