Written and narrated by Trish Gribben (ex Chair Rose Charities N.Z. Produced by Hannah Walker)
Category Archives: People
Newsletter Aug 2019 “.. just inch by inch and day by day..”
Newsletter Dec 2018
7 new student education scholarship(s) Shikarapur School, Pharping Nepal !
Rose Charities NZ has worked with Ms Sarala Adhikari (Rose in Nepal) to cooperate with the Shikharapur Community School (Principal Mr Binod Mahat, Campus Chief , Mr Niroj Shrestha) in the beautiful and holy Pharping area in the Kathmandu Valley Nepal. http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Pharping
Rose Charities NZ provided the funds for an entire and much needed new rood for the school in return for 7 students to be sponsored to grade 10 and 2 to even higher level.
It is anticipated that this program will meet with every success for the students and will lead on to further cooperative efforts to increase support education (especially female education) both in Nepal and worldwide.
Shikharapur Community School has close links with Tribhuvan University Kathmandu.
Amazing Sistema Aotearoa ! New Zealand’s remarkable youth orchestra..
“If you had all been with Pip D and me this afternoon in South Auckland you would be at home tonight with a rosy glow in your hearts — or wherever you keep your rosy glows !…..
Pip and I attended, first, a very low key informal but heartfelt “cuppa” time before a BIG concert where we, and other supporters of Sistema were thanked over and over. A Samoan family spoke, to add impact— and that they surely did that, about what it meant to them to be a Sistema family. The young daughter student, maybe 12 or 13, read a speech describing how her music had lifted her to explore heights she thought impossible. (She is now a scholarship student at St Cuthberts, but that’s another story.). Her mother, Lindah, spoke really eloquently about what it mean for her and her husband to have their eldest three children learning violin, clarinet and trombone, and their fourth child, a cute little boy who sat through the whole long afternoon without a murmur, is rearing to join up. She particularly emphasised what it meant to live in Otara, aware of so many negative attitudes towards her community and her people, to have something as positive as Sistema to turn attitudes on their head.
The Dad, who apologized for his incoherence having come straight from work, was really the most eloquent of all: He was speechless and tearful in his gratitude…….
THEN we went in to the huge arena-type stadium/hall and the music began! Nearly 400 children performed in different “orchestras” all through the afternoon. Other children sat on the floor listening with amazingly full-on attention. The music ranged from the beginners whose concentration, discipline and application was remarkable (aged 6 or 7) to the two orchestras numbering around 100 students who so vividly demonstrated the great skills they had acquired. Really it took heart-warming to a new level and Pip and I both loved every minute. We sat behind two principals of the local schools and they are clearly rapt with the project and the difference it makes to their students. Maths, English and “leadership” qualities have all taken many notches UP for the kids involved. It just makes you WISH every child had the same chances. One young boy announcer talked about the thrill of looking at music not understanding a thing about it, then being able to read it, then PLAY it! He made it sound like one of the thrills of his life.
The Wind Band came near the end of the programme and they were super cool. Flutes, I think five, were in evidence, plus clarinets, five, trombones, trumpets. A real thrill and I know every Rose Trustee would have been absolutely delighted.
So I pass on the most sincere thanks from all the Sistema trustees, the teachers, the students…….Well done Roses for our role in it all
We can happily be sure it will be a great project for continued support. In fact we were told Creative NZ is cutting back on their funding so people like us are even more important in the future. … Trish Gribben (Rose Charities NZ Trustee)
Charity Stars of Wanganui !
Project Toolkit going forwards with wonderful Whanganui assistance..
8th Rose Charities International Meeting: April 2016. Uganda. Education and Community Health..
The 8th Rose Charities International Meeting is being held in Kampala Uganda on Friday 15th April 2016 with a later optional workshop session at Mbarara on Monday 18th April.
Rose Charities now has a 20 year history of sustainable program development and management with close to 100% success. The secrets of these achievements have become clear and will be presented and discussed at the meeting along with other topics. (see the program below).
All who are interested are welcome. Attendance is free and includes lunch and morning and afternoon session refreshments. Registration however is necessary(so we know numbers) by emailing RoseConference@yahoo.com . See you there !
Retinal Surgical training for Rose Cambodia Eye Hospital
Images from the groundbreaking June 2015 Rose Charities NZ retinal surgical training team visit toDr Vra and Natalia’s Rose Cambodia Eye Hospital. June 2015. With retinal surgeons Dr. Muhammad Khalid, from Hawkes Bay and
Dr Rob Weatherhead .
This enormously successful visit organized by ike Webber (GNZM) Optometrist of Wanganui NZ , and funded by generous NZ donors resulted in a major upgrade of retinal surgical capacity in the excellent facilities of the new international standard hospital built by Dr Vra. The original Kieng Khleang clinic remains to help meet the huge demand in Rose Cambodia’s services to the poor
Raffles, Roses and Smiles: London’s most elite Chelsea club opens its doors for child education
The Raffles Club in Chelsea, London has numbered amongst its former members Royalty, Politicians, celebrities and several generations of established families and has welcomed everyone from Princess Margaret, Earl Snowdon and Lichfield, the world-renowned American singer Barbara Streisand to the Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
In the early 70’s the club continued to enjoy the patronage of the highest levels of English society and on one occasion the Queen herself attended, together with Prince Charles and Princess Anne, for the 21st birthday party of the grandson of the Earl of Mountbatten .
Previously described as “a darkened , noisome centre of nightlife for the better-heeled Chelsea folk” the club has always provided a combination of services, from drinks to food to dancing but dinner ceased to be served in the 1980’s and has over recent years been best known for its dancing and drinks offering.
Members enjoy the club for its exclusivity and luxury, as well as its music, which lies at the core of the club and Raffles attracts some of the best acts and DJs in the world. Under the watchful eye of the club’s management the club will be celebrating nearly half a century of existence.
Smiles Uganda is a Rose Charities program in Africa supporting poor Ugandan children’s education.This is the sixth year that events have been organized to support the program . Funds raised pay school fees for children who would not otherwise have access to education . Already the first graduate,
Amos Alwa, has enrolled in Kyambogo University specializing in civil engineering!
Rose Charities UK and the Smiles Uganda program are run entirely by volunteers, so 100% of your donations go directly to benefit these incredibly worthy kids! Gift Aid augmented donations are possible and appreciated. It is a rare opportunity to be entertained at the legendary Raffles Club for such a relatively low entry , almost all of which will go to an amazing and hugely needed cause. Donations (including downloadable Gift Aid form) via https://www.justgiving.com/rosecharitiesuk
(nb Canadian donors may donate to the Smiles Fund and receive tax receipts at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/rose-charities/). Click on Smiles in the drop -down menu
This evening event. is being held at Raffles 287 Kings Road, Chelsea SW3 5EW Friday September 18th, 2015 from 7 PM to 9:30 PM . Come and enjoy a splendid cocktail party and canapé’s night with some of London’s hotteTst DJ’s. Donation to charity cover charge is 25 GBP. Tickets are available at www.smilesfundraiser.com or www.raffleschelsea.com/events
Rose Charities in Cambodia – Rebecca Norris writes…
After returning from an inspiring trip to Cambodia, I wanted to share with you some of the uplifting stories and important work being carried out by Rose Charities in Cambodia. Here are stories of the courageous patients I had the pleasure of meeting and who are being treated at Rose facilities.
1. FIRST STOP: Rose Charities Cambodia Eye Clinic
One of the most endearing people I met during my travels was little Bunmeng, a 7 1/2 month old who travelled all the way from Svay Rieng province, a four hour journey, for eye care. I met Bunmeng and his family as they were waiting to be seen for a consultation. Bunmeng’s mother, aunt and older brother traveled four hours via taxi with him to the Rose eye clinic in order to be treated for abnormal eye discharge. Despite the long trip, Bunmeng was cared for at the Rose eye clinic free of charge. Run by a skilled Cambodian team of experts led by Dr. Hang Vra, the facility is the largest free eye clinic in Cambodia, which conducts 50 consultations each day and performs 50-60 eye surgeries a week.
2. SECOND STOP: Rose Cambodia Rehabilitation Centre (RCRC)
RCRC is comprised of a stand-alone physical therapy facility which predominantly treats traffic accident patients, and a maternity center within the neighboring Chey Chumneas Referral hospital which provides pre and post-natal care. RCRC is led by two part-time Cambodian physical therapists, Ms. Chhay Leangkhy and Mr. Phok Somet, with volunteer support and mentorship by the experienced physio Zoe Blair of New Zealand. RCRC care is offered free of charge for indigent patients, and those who can afford a nominal fee pay per session. Despite the unlucky and discouraging accidents that led patients to RCRC, a pleasant atmosphere permeates the centre.
Meet Maryne. Only 17, Maryne comes to RCRC on a daily basis as soon as school lets out, after her left leg was crushed by her moto when a dog aimlessly ran into the street. She began coming to Rose for physical therapy after being treated in a public hospital for her acute care in addition to private home staff. Unfortunately, rehab is not included in hospitals as post-op care in Cambodia, both one of the reasons for RCRC’s inception and it’s high-demand among patients.
Yi, 69, is a nun who began coming to RCRC after breaking her arm. She initially visited a local traditional Khmer healer, who mistakenly treated her wrist. In the months since the injury, her arm has healed itself, however, Yi’s shoulder was affected from the strain caused by her sling and she’s in severe pain. RCRC is working on a holistic approach to strengthening her upper body.
RCRC’s newest patient is Chanrith, a 3 1/2 year old born with a congenital disjointed knee. His parents were not aware of the severity of his knee problems until recently, and while Chanrith has the ability to walk, he limps and experiences pain. RCRC is working on developing a physiotherapy program for Chanrith, in conjunction with the local children’s surgery center which is assessing whether or not he will need an operation.
3. THIRD STOP: Kosal’s home (a RCRC patient) in rural Takhmao outside Phnom Penh
I have one final, heartfelt story for you.
The most captivating and inspiring story from my visit to Cambodia by far is that of Kosal. The breadwinner of his family, Kosal (30) supports his 88 year-old grandmother, his parents who cannot work due to debilitating illnesses, and his younger sister. While working at a construction site, the board Kosal was standing on unexpectedly snapped, falling a considerable distance and injuring his hip. Unable to cover the cost of the recommended surgery, Kosal remained bed-ridden for two months without the ability to walk, let along support his family. After learning about RCRC from a relative, Kosal began regularly attending physical therapy sessions at the centre, and in only a few weeks time (with a lot of dedicated care) was able to begin walking again. After marked improvement, Kosal has now reduced his RCRC visits to only once/week, and does the remaining exercises at home. Kosal has returned to part-time work and hopes to be fully employed again soon.
These are just a few of the courageous patients being treated at Rose facilities. In a country where post op physical therapy is rarely offered and where many needy patients are priced out of eye care, multiple Rose facilities are making it possible for these patients to get better so they can live healthy lives. For some that means returning to a job so you can support your family, it means forgetting that you used to limp and enjoying your childhood, and it means spending more time studying and enjoying adolescence. We all have our own stories. Become part of the Rose Charities story and you can help patients like Kosal, Chanrith, Maryne and Yi. #RoseCharities supports #PeopleHelpingPeople. Show your support here.
They made it !! .. pictures..
All and every congratulation to Will and Henry Midgley (NZ) and Lee Schab (Vancouver, Canada) for the epic journey to Mongolia in their little 1000cc second-hand Suzuki car. 12 countries and thousands of kilometers many over the most difficult roads. The photos below give a pictorial account of the trip. The team made Rose Charities one of their two sponsored organizations. The whole Rose network is hugely grateful. To date almost 1000 pounds have been raised for Rose international projects. To donate (click)
The start …
The journey…
Difficult moments…