END TRACHOMA

 
 
We had a truly inspiring presentation from Sandi Fulcher, Administration Coordinator for EndTrachoma. Sandi's father was once a member of RC Nunawading, and Sandi has been a Rotarian since 2003. 
 
About Trachoma
 
Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world - 1.9 million are blind or severely vision impaired from trachoma, and 200 million are still at risk.
  • Australia is the last developed country to still have trachoma
  • Australia’s coordinated effort in treatment began in 2009, resulting in significant rate reductions from 21% to 4.6% in 2015
  • Without prevention, trachoma will persist.
  • To stop trachoma transmission, and its resurgence,  we must ensure that all children in affected communities are able to keep their faces clean, and have safe and functional washing facilities.
 
has been doing wonderful work in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders in a bid to eliminate this disease.
     
     
    WHO has outlined  a
    SAFE strategy to
     eliminate  this disease
     
     
    and Rotary's
    EndTrachoma initiative
    addresses the
    preventative aspects
    of this process.
    		 
    How has  EndTrachoma helped ?

    EndTrachoma works with Aboriginal community organisations,  alongside Federal, state and territory governments, and NGO's including the Fred Hollows Foundation. It has

    • Provided mirrors - an important Tool for self-pride and self-care, to over 1,300 remote homes;
    • Funded pilot programs for hygiene in schools
    • provided water saving taps , portable washing machines and community laundries
    • Supported the innovation and development of important water infrastructure suitable for remote communities.
    • Designed a mobile face washing station to be used by indigenous children in remote communities. 
    Learn more at:      https://www.endtrachoma2020.org.au/
     
    Incidentally, when we first encountered EndTrachoma at the District Conference a few years ago, both Russell W and Peter K made a contribution to the project.
    These donations helped to build the  community laundry pictured in the slide below
     
     
     
    About Sandi:
    Sandi's profile on the EndTrachoma website reads : 

    Sandi has been a Rotarian since 2003 when she originally joined the Rotary Club of Heathrow in England. Since returning to Melbourne, she has been Club President , Assistant Governor and District Secretary  for a number of committees. She travelled with Rotary Chadstone/East Malvern to Papua New Guinea to help build a school, and to East Timor to complete the partially built School just outside Maubisse.  

    Sandi’s experience is a mix of retail management, insurance and administration. Sandi is our fabulous Administration Coordinator providing administration support to the team. She is the face behind the responses to your email/ Facebook/ Website enquiries.

    A more comprehensive profile can be found at

    https://www.rotarydistrict9800.org.au/Stories/district-club-service-chair-2021-22-sandi-fulcher-focusing-on-strong-fundamentals