Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011

Rotary is friendship and serviceFinnish Afghanistan Project

RC Matti Honkala

Rotary is friendship and service

• Perhaps exceptional friendship among the Finnish 2009-2010 governors and spouses

Rotary is friendship and service

International Assembly in San Diego 2009:

Matti: how to engage the Finnish Government

in PolioPlus more intensively?

Finlands Development cooperation with civil society organisations

• Projects run by nearly 300 Finnish organisations (NGOs) in 90 countries received a total of 83.7 million euros in support.

• The majority of the projects develop education, health care, good governance and civil society.

• Most of the assistance focuses on Africa and Asia.

• Most of the projects are in Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, India and Nepal.

Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011

Rotary is friendship and service

– DG Tuomo Matilainen contacted a distant friend known to be working in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and got information concerning NGO programs available

– Matti Honkala and Tuomo Matilainen made a visit to the chair of NGO programs department of the Ministry (October 2009)

Rotary is friendship and service Conclusions of the meeting

– Finlands Rotary is an eligible NGO to apply for a grant

– The amount of a three year grant may be as high as 1 M€

– In case of acceptance the Rotarians should provide 15 % of the total amount of the grant

– The grant can only be applied to benefit a country of Finland´s sponsorship

Rotary is friendship and service

• Matti H. participated in a seminar arranged for the NGOs and was able to inform the participants about the success story of Rotary in eradicating polio (early November 2009) and also about experiences in Afghanistan

• The chair contacted Matti later in November: the Government of Finland will provide an extra grant for 2010 to be used in Afghanistan

Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011

Polio campaigns in Afghanistan - since 1997 – even during Taliban rule

Polio Campaign posters on armoured carrier and

mobilizing communities to vaccinate their children

Polio Eradication in Afghanistan: main risks and challenges

• Accessing children & safety for vaccinators in the southern Region

• High population movement between polio-endemic areas in Afghanistan & Pakistan

• Maintaining high immunity in polio-free areas of Afghanistan

Low Risk Zone

(Southern Region)

‘Drs. Kakar & Taheri, veterans of the fight against polio, died with their driver in the attack at Spin Boldak '

Ambitious Afghan polio effort

proceeds despite slayings

National Post (Canada), 19 Sept 08

Despite all difficulties, partnership resolve in Afghanistan remains high

1st bOPV campaignAfghanistan

16 December 2009

Rotary is friendship and service

– the time for the application was short

– only 10 % of NGO payment was required for this extra grant

– the Board of Finlands Rotary approved the decision to apply

– an e-mail to Challenge Chair John Germ

– Rotary wheels turned quickly, PolioPlus officer Kris Tsau gave an immediate and thorough support

– Rotary family works: the action plan was translated into Finnish by DG Virpi and daughter Emma

Rotary is friendship and service

– The grant of 250 000 euros was approved in April 2010

– The next application for a three year grant was due by the end of May 2010• again great support from Kris Tsau

– the grant was approved in November 2010:2011 150 000 € from Rotarians 30 000 €2012 300 000 € 53 000 €2013 350 000 € 62 000 €

Rotary is friendship and service

The total amount for Afghanistan project is 1 220 000 € = 1 700 000 USD

• This doubles the amount the Finnish Government has contributed to PolioPlus during the previous 20 years!

Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011

What next?

• National Polio Eradication Collection– The permission for two years

– different sponsors: national TV, sports teams etc

– Polio Guide for Rotarians

– media publicity all over the country

– First Collection Day October 24th (World Polio Day)

– not all DGs and clubs want to be involved

Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011

Questions

– Are Rotarians ready to collect money in public?

– Are we able to tell Rotary´s story?

– Might this be a great way to show what Rotarians do?

– A way to combine service and positive public image – interest of potential members?

End Polio Now Working Group in Finlands Rotary

• RC Matti Honkala , Chair

• PDG Tuomo Matilainen

• PDG Kari Kontula

• RRFC Zone 15 Matti Wall

Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011

Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011

Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011

Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011

Rotary in Change - 6 October 2011