ROTARY
Dutch School Aberdeen and Cults Primary School participate in Rotary Shoebox Scheme
THE Rotary Club of Aberdeen Deeside thanks the pupils and staff of the Dutch School Aberdeen and Cults Primary School who have participated in 2001 in the Rotary Shoebox scheme. Some 450 boxes were filled, collected and have found their way to children in Eastern Europe who arc less fortunate then ourselves.
How does the Rotary Shoebox Scheme work?
The local Rotary Club provides easily constructed flat-pack boxes the size of a shoebox. The boxes can be filled with small toys, food or household items. The local Rotary Club takes care of collection and transport to the central large warehouse near Preston,
Lancashire, from where transport is coordinated to Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Albania, Kosovo and Poland. The shoeboxes must be able to survive a week in a lorry on bumpy roads and reach the final destination without spillage or spoilage.
History of the Rotary Shoebox Scheme The scheme began in 1994 when Rotarians from the Manchester area delivered shoeboxes of gifts to children and families in lasi [pronounced Yash] a city in the north-east corner of Romania, where they were building a Kindergarten for Children- This became a regular event and distribution was through the child-care organisation, Spurgeons Child Care, which was already established in Romania with a number of homes. By 1998, due to rapid expansion, the Scheme started working with International Aid Trust. This opened doors to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Since 1999, the Scheme has worked with the 'Hope and Homes for Children' Charity.
By year 2001, some 70,000 boxes were being sent out annually, not just over the Christmas period but also throughout the year. Toys are of course especially welcome since they can be used at any occasion and especially at birthdays in the Children's Homes.
Children He!ping Children While initially it was just Rotarians filling boxes. Inner Wheel Clubs and Rotaract, Scouts and Guides and many schools have become involved. Schools have found it a particularly worthwhile project, since it helps children explore social conditions in other countries and reminds them how fortunate they are-For this reason the logo includes the phrase 'Children Helping Children'.
The Rotary Shoebox operates all year round. It is an ideal project for Clubs and Organisations of all age groups to become involved. An ideal project for school children to help children who are less fortunate than themselves.
Interested to help out?
The Rotary Club of Aberdeen Deeside, the new club for the Cults, Bieldside, Milltimber and Peterculter area, invites your School, Club or Organisation to participate in the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.