The Rotary Club of
St Thomas
Rotaserver
Stories
12Jan22 Amarok-Teach Mothers to teach children
Barbara opened the meeting and hoped we had a good Christmas
 
Malcolm introduced Amarok and speaker Laural Schell from Regina via zoom. Amarok is headquartered in Edmonton. started in 2005 to introduce a literacy program in Bangladesh. The founders are Dr. Tanyss Munro and Gem Munro who improved education in North West Territories. They moved to Dhaka, Bangladesh  to start the program in a population locked into poverty, exploitation, and violence. They decided that the model used in the our world cannot be used in developing countries.  Instead of teaching children, they taught women, who were mothers that would commit to teaching 5 children.

https://www.amaroksociety.org/

The program involves digital teaching of women who then in turn teach children. Laural’s presentation was based on the impact on lives of 3 people and as Barbara pointed out, made the presentation personal for our group.
 
Shaheen lives in Dhaka Bangladesh which has the fastest growth in population anywhere in the world. School is free but attendees have costs for books, uniforms and supplies.  There are 75 students per classroom and teachers are underpaid. This leads to a shadow education system where teachers stop the school mid-day and become paid tutors in the afternoon. Tutors are needed to bring students to further education. Most families cannot afford tutors. For many families education is not considered a long term investment. Shaheen also needs to work for the family. He works in an auto repair shed, thus diverting him from school.
The model of teaching girls met with opposition in this Muslim world, but the Munros persisted.
Hamai is mother to Adir. Hanai had been married at 12 years of age to a much older man. (Girls older than 12 find their dowry must increase as their age increases and this is a financial burden to the family so they are married as young as possible). Hamai taught her daughter through the Amarok model but amazingly the grandfather also wanted to learn from Adir. This contradictory cultural shift proved the desirability for women to be educated. Giving an education to Hamai gave her an identity separate from her husband. Mothers can make a change; 25 teachers become 25 friends with power, women strike against the dowry system. They refused to pay or accept a dowry and as a result, dowries have been eliminated in some communities where the Amarok system is in place. This reduces the number of child marriages. 
Madrassas of Pakistan are Islamic Seminaries in Pakistan; these religious schools also teach subjects like mathematics, logic, philosophy. In some areas they outnumber government schools. (from Wikipedia). Shaheen and Adir are opposed by the Madrassas.
 
Q&A: Rotary has been the biggest supporter of Amarok. Barb would like to pass this info to other clubs as Literacy is a Rotary focus.
Ron – does Bangladesh offer support to Amarok? Some.
Trish – Does Amarok have charitable status? Yes and donations can be made from their website.
 
Announcements:
Trish would like our club to provide lunches for staff at hospital who work directly with Covid patients, whether in the ICU or on another unit. Malcolm will forward the email for the Foundation rep Jacqueline Bloom to Trish to investigate the coordination of this idea. The night shift staff was suggested as a possible recipient of lunches. 
 
Malcolm would like to hear member stories other than the six that spoke at meetings about their involvement in Rotary.
 
Trudy’s Backpacks (with helpful content) Giveaway – This project began with the Tuna Tuesdays woman’s group initiative in London. Now Trudy's basement is full of backpacks (new ones were provided by Bob Patel) for those who ask, to give away. Contact tkanellis@rogers.com if you want to e-transfer money for the backpack contents.  Trudy buys in bulk or on sale items such as socks, mitts, hats, scarves and some people also make knitted or crocheted items to be included.  Backpacks also have toothpaste, toothbrush, cookies, granola bars. 
St Thomas police officer Catharyn, know the street people and asks them how she can help. Trudy is also working with Bob Patel to hand out food from the Wayside. https://waysidedining.ca/donate-here/
 
Happy Finns
Bill – Christmas with family in US. Smooth return via customs. Saw Rivian electric truck. Thankful for Trudy’s work. Maggie's phone died but replaced successfully.
Trish – 3 birthdays in January - son in law, baby grandson will be one year old and Stew 
Trudy – Christmas even though only few people. Backpack giveaway. Southwold bundle bags $10 available for residents. Also takeout from Wayside $10. Southwold residents call the municipal office to get on the list. 
Malcolm – granddaughter bday 11yr, Thankful for Trudy’s work.
Ron – Son delivered turkey dinner on Christmas day, recovery from Covid, Thankful for Trudy’s work. (Editorial comment, we remember Cliff with his health issues)
Barb- Thankful for Trudy’s work. 2 kids home for Christmas. Laural and Amarok.
 
Web site of the Rotary Club of St Thomas  http://rotarystthomas.org
Upcoming Events
Carolyn Ferguson "Rotary Benefactors"
Wayside
Jan 19, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Mennonite Community Services, Aylmer
Wayside
Jan 26, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Fireside chat at Wayside
Wayside
Feb 02, 2022 5:30 PM
 
Zoom - Police Chief - Chris Herridge
Feb 09, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Canadian Mental Health Association
Wayside
Feb 16, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Zoom-Kenya Water & Girl Empowerment RC of London S
Mar 02, 2022 12:00 PM
 
St Thomas Fire Dept Cheif Chris Herridge
Mar 09, 2022 12:00 PM
 
View entire list
Club Information
Visitors Welcome
Changes to regular meetings see "Upcoming Events"
We meet Wednesdays at 12:15 PM
Contact President to attend our virtual meeting
Virtual meeting
St Thomas, ON
Canada
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
Executives & Directors
President
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Past President
 
Community Service
 
Club Service
 
International Service
 
International Service
 
Media
 
DEI/Environment
 
Youth Service
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile