| This
is the biweekly bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong Club Website: http://www.rotary3450.org/kingspark-hongkong | ||||
 | Kingspark News Rotary
Club of Kingspark | | ||
| Tsunami toll continues to climb. Have you called President Thomas with your pledges? | ||||
| Chief
Editor : Francis Wann Club Webmaster : John Wan | ||||
Editorial
(Lest We Forget) - By Francis Wann | ||||
District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship | ||||
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Lest We Forget
It was inevitably the darkest page in human history. For the survivors and their families, their presence would have tremendous significance. These are memories which can never be removed, and for the descendants of the Nazis, the debts which they carry might never be settled. However for most of our students in Hong Kong, World War II or the rise and fall of Adolf Hilter might only exist in their text books, or on their exam papers. After all, the atrocities committed during the Holocaust might seem a distant past to them. It might well be. But what about events closer to home such as the Nanking massacre? And every year the elderly victims during the Japanese occupation make their appearance in court and demand that justice must be seen to be done. For many, the wait is too long. As the wheel of history grinds on, the number of remaining Auschwitz prisoners also dwindles rapidly and perhaps, as other events take over, the Holocaust might be reduced to no more than another item for our A-level students. Oskar Schindler was hailed a hero in Israel for saving the lives of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust and was declared Righteous Among the Gentiles, yet he died in 1974 in Germany, almost penniless. His wife *Emile who played an important role in helping the Jews in those years, died a few years ago in late 2001. They might have been laid to rest, but those on the Schindler's list would be forever grateful. As I watched the film on DVD, I couldn't help wondering the future of the human race, and whether history will repeat itself for those who forget. *Emile Schindler's memoir "Where Light and Shadow Meet" was written by Argentine journalist Erika Rosenberg. | ||||
President's
Column World Understanding Month
February is the World Understanding Month in the Rotary calendar. I believe that it is essential for us to understand the culture of our neighbouring countries and know what urgent needs they have, prior to make our contribution to make a difference to the World. Apart from the needs arisen from the recent tsunami, the January issue of our magazine "The Rotarian" has told us about the needs from all over the world such as four hurricanes expended their fury on the Caribbean islands last August, thousands of schoolchildren in Thailand have to walk over 10 kilometers to their schools and the world's 1.1 billion people are unable to access to safe water. To accommodate the needs of other parts of our World, we are able to extend our concern and assistance through our Rotary International. We play a part in the team by making donation and applying for various types of Grants while our international teammates will deliver the necessities to serve the people in need. I like teamwork because it represents the synergy effect of our collective actions and helps to foster the relationship among teammates. We also need teamwork in Club level because it is the only way to achieve great results. This could be evidenced by the acquisition of the Overall Champion in our Centennial District Sports Day held on 16/1/2005. There is no doubt that the only reason is because of the active participation and talented performance of our members and their families. Without their support and effort, I'm sure the honour will go to our competitors. Dear Kingsparicans, you are a talented teammate of a great team! I am sure we can achieve more to contribute to our Community and the World through our teamwork! As the Year of Rooster is coming, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family good health and all your dreams come true. Besides, I would also like to let you know some important coming up events including a talk about Hong Kong Feng Shui on coming Thursday 3/2/05, our Vocational Service Seminar to be held on Friday 4/3/05 and 3 proposed join meetings with our Rotaract Club after Chinese New Year, Rotary Club of Kwun Tong at the end of February & Rotary Club of Bayview Sunshine HK at the end of April. | ||||
A Visit to an Elderly Home By President Gu Lik Hang [Gu Lik Hang is President of the Interact Club of Wah Yan College Hong Kong - Ed]
Each year our Interact Club organizes visits to various charities, not only to show care and respect to the people in need, but also to let our members realize that we should not take our health for granted and that we must be thankful for what we are having. On 18th December, 2005 we had a Joint Rotary and Interact service visit. We, the Interact Club of Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, together with enthusiastic students from Wah Yan College, Kowloon, SKH St. Benedict's School and the Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong, visited the Buddhist Li Ka Shing Care and Attention Home for the Elderly and had a meaningful day. We had prepared the presents (including socks, fruits and cakes) for the elderly and we arrived at the Beadhouse in Wan Chai at about ten o'clock, ready for the day's work. The nurses told us that as there were eighty residents and space was limited, they would sit in two separate rooms. So we decided to divide ourselves into two teams, each responsible for a set of activities, then shift after performing for the other team to come, so as to make the operation as smooth as possible. It turned out that they were all old ladies. We introduced ourselves before we sang some famous (old) Cantonese songs, including "Under the Lion Rock" and "Descendants of the Dragon". It seemed that the songs were still too "new" for them. Nevertheless, despite their conditions, most of them clapped hands with us rhythmically and responded actively, and the room was full of laughter. We were startled yet pleased that they were satisfied with so little! Then we distributed the presents to the old ladies, who always said "Thank you" when we handed the socks and fruits to them. We were all touched by this, and so we replied, sincerely, "Not at all! Not at all!" The other team had some simple exercises with the elderly and gave them the rest of the presents (also arranged into two sets). We waved goodbye to them and they waved back, and we left the building at half past eleven. When we discussed the visit, we all agreed that although we had done very little, we did something real. | ||||
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Happy Year of the Rooster
First, our club did very well in the District Centennial Sports Day. Indeed, we came first somehow, even though we were not even represented in the fullest form. The news was greeted by a stream of congratulatory messages from members scattered around the region, including some whose faces I have not seen for a while. If only Rotary were all about sports and fellowship! Secondly, we had an excellent start in this rather successful project with our Rotaractors. This is the Little Shoes Project funded in part by the District Simplified Grant of The Rotary Foundation. The Opening attracted some publicity locally and would no doubt attract more when the shoes are distributed in Guangxi, China. Thirdly, we had positive feedback of the publicity efforts of District Governor Alex Mak - a member of our club - in the appeals for donations for the tsunami victims. Alex and his counterpart from Indonesia also received good coverage for the press conference they held here earlier. Fourthly, although not directly or solely related to our club, we had Governor Alex Mak's protegee Ivy Yeung, Past District Rotaract Representative, appointed a Member of the RI Rotaract Committee. Ivy is a good friend and partner in service of our club and we can all take pride in her achievement. All these would bode very well for our club and membership in the run up to the Year of the Rooster. Now, roosters are quick thinkers, practical and resourceful. They are also hardworking, observant, straightforward, just and have regard for honesty. If the description is anything to go by, one can expect or at least hope that the next 12 months would be an auspicious one Roosters are quick thinkers, practical and resourceful. They are also hardworking, observant, straightforward, just and have regard for honesty.for honest business and professional people, such as us Rotarians. And on this note, I wish readers and particularly members of our club a happy and prosperous Year of the Rooster. | ||||
Views in any article in Kingspark News reflect those of the authors. They are not necessarily the views of the Rotary Club of Kingspark or of District 3450. You are welcome to write to Chief Editor Francis Wann or Club Webmaster John Wan on any topic, particularly in response to articles published in Kingspark News. We would publish all contributions as long as the authors identify themselves, the contents are not offensive or abusive, and would not offend common decency or common sense. You need not be a Rotarian to write to us and you have a choice to withhold your name in the published version. Where the contents make reference to statements or policies of individuals or organizations, we would try to obtain a response fro the latter for publication in the same issue if possible. | ||||
Chief
Editor : Francis Wann The Board of Directors President
: Thomas Chan | ||||
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