DID YOU KNOW?
PP David Rush (1991-92) initiated in 1986-87, one of Rotary Hawthorn’s most innovative international projects – the Hawthorn Kitchen Project in Phuket, Thailand.
David and his wife Sue visited Phuket in 1985, and they learnt that poor children were too embarrassed to go to school because their parents could not afford to supply lunches or suitable clothing for them. The children’s health was poor, and they were missing an education.
David suggested that our club and Rotary Club of Phuket raise funds to assist these children.
A self-help program was developed. A cashew plantation was established and farmed in Phuket.
The children harvested the nuts and from the proceeds purchased chickens and fresh vegetables for a daily hot meal (until then they were receiving just one hot meal a week!)
The children’s health improved, they were able to attend school regularly and there was an increase in literacy in the area. The program was designed to ensure that the children felt they were making a worthwhile contribution to their futures.
In later years, shipments of high-protein biscuits were supplied by our club to Rotary Club of Phuket with the help of two Special Grants from Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Club of Phuket monitored the progress of the health of the children for six months and the results disclosed an increase in weight and general improvement in the standard of health of the many children who received the biscuits.
Note: The Thai Government in 1987-88, gave the program an award for being the best disadvantaged children’s project in Thailand.