Rotaplast Mission - Bangladesh 2018
Update from Mike Labrie
October 11, 2018
The official Rotaplast blog can be accessed at https://rotaplast.org/. Look for the Sylhet, Bangladesh headings. I will try to post daily beginning October 15th or 16th.
Update from President Ben with Applications for Volunteers
March 2, 2018
I continue to be overwhelmed with the support for this Rotaplast mission! Please see the attached application for either medical or non-medical volunteers. Once you have completed the application please return to Ted Alex. Ted and his committee will have an informational session.
From our Rotary Log
January 11, 2018
Past President Ted Alex reviewed his recent Rotaplast trip to Cebu City, Philippines. There the Rotaplast team withstood seven days of oppressive humidity and torrential downpours, but still got the job done. Surgical correction repaired the cleft lips and palates of 103 children. In so doing the team gave these kids and their families a new lease on life. This was Ted’s tenth Rotaplast project! We gave Ted a well-deserved standing ovation.
Ellen Labrie tenderly and proudly reflected on her husband’s life. She recalled his passion for service and the connection he helped forge between Rotaplast and our club. Jim rose above the challenges posed by his own congenital cleft lip and palate to become a successful businessman. He joined Rotary in 1976. Ten years later the Labrie’s son, Jimmy, died in a motorcycle accident.
The tragedy led Jim to reflect, Ellen said. He felt called to a life of service and channeled his response through Rotary. He discovered the work of Rotaplast, then a fledgling operation based in California. As Club President and then District Governor, Jim was instrumental in introducing Rotaplast to Rotarians throughout the Northeast. Ellen’s story was appreciated with a standing ovation.
President Ben then announced that in honor of Jim Labrie our club will undertake the full sponsorship of a Rotaplast project. The project’s scheduled date is October 2018 and the location is in Bangladesh.
Jim Labrie
Portsmouth Rotary President 1985-1986
District Governor 779 1989-1990
Much work lies ahead to turn this opportunity into a reality. Hopefully most of the volunteers will be drawn from our own club. While we will have considerable input, the final personnel decisions are out of our hands. All interested members should begin considering this service project now.
Our club is committing to raise $95,000 dollars. To help with this, Michael Labrie announced that the Labrie family will provide a $25,000 matching grant! Heartfelt thanks go to the Labrie family for jump-starting the fund raising.
Several club sources will be made available, including $10,000 from President Ben and President-Elect Cleo’s Presidential Funds. Governor Dave has provided $5,000 from a District Fund. President Ben said more fundraising details will be forthcoming.
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Download the website sponsorship guide