The first meeting of 2026 took place on Tuesday 13 January by Zoom. Meetings in January are usually held on Zoom to avoid travelling in unpredictable weather and this year we were thankful we did not have to travel in the awful weather we have had since the start of January.
President Marion welcomed all members and our speaker, Aileen North.
Aileen gave an informative presentation on the impact of Rotary’s work along with other agencies, including UNICEF, which is aimed at eradicating Polio worldwide. Currently Polio is still endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This debilitating and life limiting condition is spread by contact with dirty water and, sadly, there is no cure for Polio, but it is preventable.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the vaccination programme has faltered as women were prevented from carrying out the vaccination clinics. Now men are being trained and educated to dispense oral vaccinations and to use the Pharma jet which delivers a shot of the vaccination through the skin but without a needle – a much less invasive technique for young children. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of vaccinations delivered even in the remotest areas of Afghanistan and work at border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan has helped to vaccinate refugee children.
Our members were very engaged in the presentation and asked Aileen many questions all of which she responded to comprehensively.
We are now preparing for our annual Charity Bazaar which will be held in the Masonic Hall, Laurencekirk on Saturday 7 March 10 am – 11.30 am. Come along and enjoy a cup of coffee and homemade cake. We will have a baking stall and fresh produce on sale as well as a raffle.
If you can help us by knitting squares, sewing blankets, collecting stamps and ring pulls or would be interested in becoming a member, please contact us at innerwheeldistrict1@outlook.com or come along to our Charity Bazaar and speak to an Inner Wheel member.
Denise Donald
Club Correspondent
