June 25, 2015
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The Bervie Women's Institute entertained 10 members and 11 visitors, June 23, at the hall in Bervie, with a ROSE Program on Kenya.
Sandra MacDonald introduced the guest speaker, Joyce Cotterall of Australia (daughter of Alvin and Vi Thompson) who spoke about, and showed pictures of, her involvement with a medical team that went to Kenya in February of 2015.
A nurse, Joyce helped at several clinics which saw 300 patients per day - people who had walked many kilometres for treatment. The group also did a clinic at a women’s prison and assisted at a local orphanage for young girls who had been sexually-assaulted. Many children are abandoned by their parents in Kenya.
Education and medication have helped fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in recent years. However, Kenya is very corrupt and offers very little medical assistance – fund-raising is done in Australia to help with medications, sponsorship at the orphanage, and specific medical conditions of patients. The Rotary Club assists with transportation costs for this team to go to Kenya.
Joyce answered many questions from the group – it was an excellent presentation!
Several Bervie W.I. ladies will assist at the log house and schoolhouse at the Bruce County Museum in Southampton July 17 and 24, providing history and serving cookies and lemonade.
The next meeting is a day trip to the Hoity Toity Winery near Mildmay Aug. 5 – meet at the hall at 10 a.m. and bring a bag lunch.
A social time followed with lunch served by Joyce Roach and Betty Jean White.
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