Minutes March 18th, visit to Mozambique

Erik did an excellent job as sergeant in arms. Norm had a happy buck left from his recent trip to Vegas for his daughter's marriage. Congratulation president Norm. John Garton team won the Curling's championship. Also congratulations.

This evening's guest speaker is Don Hilborn. Don is an engineer with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He covers the province on agricultural byproduct management and green energy production associated with byproducts.

He also farm with his spouse, Sue. They operate Red Barn Berries, a small fresh market greenhouse and strawberry operation located just North West of Woodstock.

He goes to Faith United and knows Bill and Karen Butt who are currently in Mozambique with the United Church . Don is interested in development in Third World Countries and jumped at the chance of participating in an observation tour hosted by the Christian Council of Mozambique . They visited the Zambesi province. This is where Bill and Karen Butt are situated.

Mozambique went through a war of independence. It used to be Portuguese. The civil war went on for 16 years and the economy crashed. Since 1993 things have improved. There was implemented a 'guns for plows' program. The landmines in the country are pretty much gone. The country is for sure building up again. Roads are improving  and power lines are growing. Still in the country transportation is a problem and communication is hard.

Aids is a problem. Karen Butt is coordinating the 'PETRA' program where 9-14 year old girls can come after school for more education and a safe place. They have trained 700 girls so far.

The Zambesi river is known for severe flooding. Don has seen that there was food, mosquito nets and blankets distributed with money raised here in Canada. He has also seen a village that was moved up the mountain. So there is definitely improvement but there is still a long way to go.

Bill and Karen Butt run also a video project where young people can watch movies and listen to soundtracks. On agricultural level there is a wish to set up an agricultural station where they can learn farmers to crop vegetables, corn etc. Don is asked to work on this project. Don says that Mozambique has lots of potential. It uses to be the breadbasket of South-Africa and it would be just wonderful if it could be that again.

Thank you Don for a very informative presentation and we wish you all the best with your future projects for Christian Council of Mozambique.

Nothing further before Rotary. The Fish Fry committee was meeting after the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8.10 pm