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Combination Covid support & Polio immunization

Combination Covid support & Polio immunization

by | Oct 2, 2020 | Terry's Polio Eradication Update

Dear Polio Eradication Warriors,

 

One new Wild Polio cases reported this week. See attached report.

What is that Polio Picture?  Combination Covid support & Polio immunization campaigns are underway in Afghanistan.  This picture shows Nasrin Ahmadi who has been working with the Polio program since 2010. Starting as a volunteer, she has moved up the ranks to become a District Polio Officer.

“I chose to continue to do public health awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted to help save people’s lives and continue to serve my people,” says Nasrin Ahmadi, a polio worker and volunteer for the COVID-19 response in Mazar, Balkh Province.  Seven months since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Afghanistan, female polio program front line workers continue to support outbreak response. Often, they put concerns for their health to the side as they work in areas with many COVID-19 cases. Sometimes, their work brings them into conflict with the social norms of their community and society.

Let’s Take Action!  World Polio Day – October 24

A polio-free world is possible, but we can achieve it only by taking action together. With the challenges to vaccination programs posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more crucial that Rotary continues to build awareness and raise funds for polio eradication.

Join the effort to vaccinate children and end polio by organizing a World Polio Day event for your club and community. In 2019, Rotary members held more than 5,900 events in 136 countries. This year, online events and activities will allow us to expand our reach even more and inspire others to join us.

WHO would like to thank the Pakistan Assistance Program of the United Arab Emirates, who have released US$ 17.9 million to support the resumption of immunization activities, including outbreak response, in high risk districts of Pakistan. Campaigns have resumed following a temporary pause during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now that we are down to the Final Two Polio Endemic Countries – I will be listing Sixteen Reasons We need to End Polio in Pakistan (from Dawn.com):  # 6.  Polio can be completely eradicated from the world.  Unlike most diseases, the crippling virus can be eliminated through vaccination.  There are three strains of the virus and none of them can survive outside of a human body.  It will die if it cannot find an unvaccinated person to infect.

A Win Against Polio is a Win for Global Health!

How Many Children have we saved from the paralysis of Polio?
That number has now reached 20 Million! That’s a number to celebrate and to share!

Vaccine Derived Polio Cases –   403  Vaccine Derived Polio Cases reported in 2020:  Afghanistan – 79 (0 in 2019), Angola – 3 (129 in 2019), Benin – 1 (8 in 2019), Burkina Faso – 9 (1 in 2019), Cameroon – 5 (0 in 2019), CAR – 2 (21 in 2019), Chad 66 ((10 in 2019), China – 0 (1 In 2019),    Cote d’ Ivoire 24 (0 in 2019),DRC – 56 (86 in 2019),Ethiopia – 16 (11 in 2019),Ghana – 11 (18 in 2019), Guinea – 18 (0 in 2019), Malaysia – 1 (3 in 2019), Myanmar – 0 (6 in 2019),  Niger – 4 (1 in 2019),Nigeria – 1 (18 in 2019),Pakistan – 64 (22 in 2019), Papua New Guinea – 0 (0 in 2019). Philippines – 1 (16 in 2019),  Somalia – 19 (3 in 2019), South Sudan – 3 (0 in 2019), Sudan – 3, Togo – 9 (8 in 2019), Zambia – 0 (2 in 2019)

361 Vaccine Derived Polio cases were reported in 2019.

Quote of the Day

“The world is more malleable than you think, and it’s waiting for you to hammer it into shape.”  Bono

The Final Two Polio Endemic Countries:

 

Pakistan

 

 

1 new Polio cases reported this week.
79 Wild Polio cases – 2020. The most recent case had an onset of paralysis on 9/01/20.
147 Wild Polio cases – 2019. Nine Polio-Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Pakistan.

Afghanistan

 

 

0 new Polio cases reported this past week.
53 Wild Polio cases – 2020. The most recent cases had an onset of paralysis on 8/22/20.
29 Wild Polio cases – 2019. Two Polio-Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Afghanistan.  

Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!!

Terry Ziegler, Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser Rotary Region 26

Passport to Adventure

Passport to Adventure

by | Sep 5, 2020 | MOJO Blog

Diary of an exchange year

Originally published in ROTARY Magazine, Sept. 2020

In 2002-03, Lorena Soria traveled from Ambato, Ecuador, to to Ogallala, Nebraska, as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. Afterward, she returned home to Ecuador for college. On a visit to Nebraska for a friend’s wedding, she met David Beckius. After dating long distance, the couple married; they have twin four-year-old boys, and Lore Beckius was 2019-20 president of the Rotary Club of Ogallala — the same club that hosted her 18 years ago. She shares here some highlights from her exchange year.

August

Today is the day. My mom cried all the way to the airport. I was crying too, but I gave her a hug, dried my tears, and went through security. When I got off the plane, my host family was waiting for me, holding a sign that read “Welcome home.” My host mom’s name is Michelle, and she has two daughters, Heide and Mallory. When we pulled up to their house, I was surprised at how big and how nice it is. I even have my own room and bathroom!

My host sisters and their friends asked me lots of questions. They don’t know much about Ecuador. I told them we have volcanos and so much natural beauty. I’m using my pocket dictionary all the time. I don’t understand any of the slang that Americans use, and their accent is so different from the British English I learned in school.

I went to a Rotary meeting and met my Youth Exchange adviser. I also visited my new school. I will take U.S. history, geography, English, chemistry, and math. I also picked a few electives. I can’t believe all the fun classes they have here. We don’t have choir or cooking or anything like that in Ecuador. My host family also took me into town. Front Street looks like something out of an old Western movie.

I started school today. I was so worried about what to wear. I’ve never gone to a school where I didn’t have to wear a uniform. Mallory is a junior, and she drove me and Heide, who’s a sophomore, to school. I was nervous, but the other students were nice. When they said hi, I kept leaning forward to give kisses — but they don’t do that here. I’m learning to say, “Hey, what’s up?” and give a little wave instead.

September

My host mom told me I should try out for the school play. That is something I would never have done at home. The play is called A Service for Jeremy Wong, and it’s about the killing of a gay high school boy.

Today, a really cute and popular boy said, “Hey, what’s up?” to me.

I replied, “Good!”

But I think that was wrong. I asked Mallory what to say so I’ll be ready next time.

Photo by Lore Beckius

November

I’m getting into a routine.

I have basketball practice after school.

I go with my host sisters to all the volleyball games. On Friday and Saturday nights, we go “cruising.” It’s so much fun. We drive up and down Highway 30 and listen to music.

December

It’s almost Christmas!

It makes me a little homesick. Christmas is such an important time in Ecuador.

I learned that I will switch host families on 23 December. I’m going to miss Mallory and Heide. The next family I’m staying with has three younger boys.

I went to the Catholic church here twice on Christmas Eve. It makes me feel better to be surrounded by familiar traditions.

On Christmas morning, there were so many presents with my name on them under the tree. My new family is trying to make me feel at home, but I don’t know them yet, so I feel a little awkward.

January

I’ve become close to my new host mom. We go shopping together and get manicures. She always tells me how happy she is to have another girl in the house. And she is a really good cook. She’s always baking something.

Photo by Lore Beckius

February

My host mom includes me in everything she does for the boys, like presents for Valentine’s Day.

I talk to my family in Ecuador about once a month.

One thing I like about my high school is that everyone seems to get along. The kids ask me about Ecuador. Some want to learn the bad words in Spanish, and I did get in trouble for teaching them a few.

March

My English has gotten much better. I’ve even started dreaming in English.

I’m so busy with speech competitions, choir, basketball, and tennis that it’s hard to even have time to think about things back home in Ecuador.

April

I’m living out in the country now with my third host family, which has five girls, so it can be a little tough to get time in the bathroom to get ready for school! I’m looking forward to going to prom next month. I’m going with a group of girls, and I already have a dress. We don’t have prom in Ecuador, so this feels like a special American thing to experience.

It’s a lot of fun living in this family with so many girls. I get along very well with their oldest daughter, who is a high school freshman. We go to the movies together and hang out.

I had so much fun at prom! We danced and danced. I felt like a movie star.

Photo by Lore Beckius

May

Graduation is here.

My parents traveled to Nebraska for the ceremony.

Even though our principal practiced saying my name, he still mispronounced it. But it was so exciting to get my diploma! He also gave me a little American flag.

Photo by Lore Beckius

We went to watch the Fourth of July fireworks, and the song “Proud to Be an American” gave me goosebumps.

I go home this month.

My exchange has helped me to grow up and be ready to live on my own. I am so proud that I was able to make it through one year by myself.

I’m home now, and it’s weird to be back.

My parents talk to me in Spanish, and I find myself accidentally answering them in English.

My friend Serena came from Ogallala for a visit. We keep in touch online, and I can’t wait to go back to visit.

Photo by Lore Beckius

Did you know?

  • In 2018-19, 70 percent of exchanges were long term, lasting a full academic year.
  • 91 percent of Rotary districts are certified to participate in Rotary Youth Exchange, but only 16 percent of clubs sent or hosted students.
  • 5,768 Rotary clubs participated in Rotary Youth Exchange.
    (Figures do not include information about the program in Germany.)
  • Learn about how Rotary Youth Exchange began HERE, Rotary through the Years.
African region declared free of wild poliovirus

African region declared free of wild poliovirus

by | Aug 31, 2020 | MOJO Blog

African region declared free of wild poliovirus

Rotary and its GPEI partners celebrate a monumental achievement, say global eradication of wild polio is possible with the continued dedication and persistence of Rotarians.

Story Written By: Ryan Hyland
Aug. 24, 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) on 25 August announced that transmission of the wild poliovirus has officially been stopped in all 47 countries of its African region. This is a historic and vital step toward global eradication of polio, which is Rotary’s top priority.

After decades of hard won gains in the region, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) — WHO, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the vaccine alliance — are proclaiming the milestone an achievement in public health. They offer it as proof that strong commitment, coordination, and perseverance can rid the world of polio.

The certification that the African region is free of wild poliovirus comes after the independent Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC) conducted thorough field verifications that confirmed no new cases and analyzed documentation of polio surveillance, immunization, and laboratory capacity by Cameroon, Central African Republic, Nigeria, and South Sudan. The commission had already accepted the documentation of the other 43 countries in the region.

“This is a big step in our journey to a polio-free world, but the fight is not over yet. We still need the support of our Rotary members, donors, and heroic effort of health care workers to finish the job.”

 

Holger Knaack
Rotary International President, 2020-2021

The last cases of polio caused by the wild virus in the African region were recorded in Nigeria’s northern state of Borno in August 2016, after two years with no cases. Conflict, along with challenges in reaching mobile populations, had hampered efforts to immunize children there.

Now that the African region is free of wild poliovirus, five of WHO’s six regions, representing more than 90 percent of the world’s population, are now free of the disease. Polio caused by the wild virus is still endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region.

The African region’s wild polio-free certification was celebrated during a livestream event. Speakers included Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Bill Gates, Rotary International President Holger Knaack, Nigeria PolioPlus chair Dr. Tunji Funsho, and representatives of other GPEI partners. The celebration was followed by a press conference.

In the program, Knaack spoke about people needing good news during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “The challenges ahead are formidable,” Knaack said. “That’s why we must recognize this great achievement and commend all the people who played important roles in reaching this milestone. It took tremendous effort over many years.”

Please Read the full story at ENDPOLIO.org. 

Click Here

O’Neill Rotary Club Answers the Call

O’Neill Rotary Club Answers the Call

by | Jun 24, 2020 | MOJO Blog

O’Neill Rotary Club Answers the Call

by Amy Shane
Republished from the http://www.holtindependent.com/ 

COVID-19 slammed our country earlier this spring and as people of action, members of the O’Neill Rotary Club have answered the call. At a time when many community members have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced, food insecurity has become very real. The O’Neill Rotary Club became aware of an opportunity to leverage their funds to access matching grant funds from the Rotary International Foundation to help meet the need for a stable food source in two ways.

O'Neill Rotary Club replenishes Food Pantry

Food Pantry was replenished with help of the O’Neill Rotary Club. Pictured are (l-r): Rotarians Jill Everitt, Carol Sibbel and Ron Anderson of Super Foods.

The club has donated $750, matched by an additional $750 from the Rotary International Foundation, to both the Meals on Wheels program and the O’Neill Community Food Pantry. The donation to the Meals on Wheels program will be used to purchase the disposable containers used to transport meals, as well as assist in purchasing the food used to prepare meals. Our local club members deliver Meals on Wheels regularly and will be next delivering the week of June 8 – 12. This program, coordinated by Jan Mitchell and supported by Terra Buller at the O’Neill Senior Center, is a crucial piece of providing food stability to our elderly and other vulnerable community members.

The O’Neill Food Pantry has seen a dramatic spike in usage during this unprecedented time. The O’Neill Rotary Club will be purchasing needed grocery items from Super Foods grocery store; they are helping our donation go further by giving generous discounts on purchased items. A big thanks to club member Ron Anderson and his wife Pam, and O’Neill Super Foods, for supporting our efforts!! Rotarians Cindy Cole and Steve Lind commented on the wonderful timing of this grant opportunity. “Just when the use of the Pantry is spiking, we are able to provide assistance to those struggling in our community!” Club members will purchase items for the May 21st Food Pantry, as well as the June 4th Food Pantry on the Mondays before the Pantry dates. Sheryl Cole, the coordinator of the O’Neill Food Pantry, provided the Club with a list of the items most needed at this time. We want to thank Sheryl and her team for all of the efforts they put into ensuring food stability for the O’Neill and surrounding communities!

This project is part of a larger effort by Rotary worldwide in response to the pandemic. The Rotary International Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International and local clubs worldwide. Rotary District 5630 has granted $25,150 to be used throughout outstate Nebraska in is response to COVID-19 and the pandemics impact on its communities.

Rotary’s motto is “service before self” and this is just one example of how Rotarians live that motto. The O’Neill Rotary Club meets at noon on Tuesdays (virtually via Zoom during this time), but typically at The Evergreen Assisted Living. We would like to invite all community members that want to make a difference to join our Club fellowship. You can join by contacting Co-presidents Ron Anderson or Steve Lind, or any other Rotarian. Together we can make our community and our world a better place! You can learn more about Rotary at www.Rotary.org.

Alliance Rotary Club supports COVID-19 relief efforts

Alliance Rotary Club supports COVID-19 relief efforts

by | Jun 24, 2020 | MOJO Blog

Alliance Rotary Club supports COVID-19 relief efforts

COVID-19 slammed our country earlier this spring and as people of action, members of the Alliance Rotary Club have answered the call. Through the Support Alliance Initiative, the Alliance Rotary Club sought to ensure the vulnerable population received necessary meals during this crisis, and to support and encourage our local healthcare professionals and businesses. The Club received $2,000 through The Rotary Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International and local clubs worldwide.

Alliance Rotary Club distributed the grant award to Community Table and purchased gift cards from Newberry’s Common Ground and Dairy Queen to gift to all employees of Box Butte General Hospital.

The Club donated $1,000 to Community Table, an organization that addresses poverty by providing a meal to those in need. Because of the coronavirus, Community Table transitioned from dine-in lunch service to a critical meal pick-up and delivery service. Local service groups volunteering for Community Table were preparing and delivering approximately 250-300 meals daily – an exponential increase from their typical 60-80 daily meals prior to COVID. To help them keep up with demand, the Alliance Rotary Club made the donation to Community Table by crediting their charge account at Grocery Kart.

Supporting small businesses who were experiencing a reduction in hours, customers, and income, as well as frontline healthcare workers, was another priority for the Club. To maximize the $1,000 grant, the Club purchased gift cards from Newberry’s Common Ground and Dairy Queen to donate to Box Butte General Hospital, a critical access hospital responsible for serving a large rural area. The donation of gift cards to BBGH helped the Club show gratitude for each of the 275 frontline healthcare professionals.

Rotary District 5630 made $25,150 available to clubs submitting a grant request project.  The Rotary Foundation  Disaster Aid grant was to be used throughout (central and Western) Nebraska in response to COVID-19 and the pandemic’s impact on its communities. If you are interested to learn more about Rotary Club, visit www.Rotary.org or contact Mara Andersen by email at mara@alliancereccenter.com with questions.

submitted by Mara Andersen
Alliance Rotary Club