Mission Statement
A Program run by the Rotary Clubs of Australia and New Zealand “One of Rotary’s best kept secrets”
ROMAC Origins:
How are ROMAC Patients found?
Referring a Patient
ROMAC Funding Responsibilities
Host Responsibility
Sponsoring Club Responsibility
How is ROMAC Funded? If you wish to make a donation: https://www.romac.org.au/donate/
Jerra Rotary’s first attempt to sponsor a child through
Background:
How are ROMAC Patients found? LatuTana Kavaefiafi was just another one of the kids in the crowd ready to perform as thanks for the work we had done for them at the school!
Unfortunately, ROMAC could not assist LatuTana Kavaefiafi. We tried hard to get her into the program, aided by the Tongan Rotary Club of Nukualofa. But, the seriousness of her condition meant that treatment via ROMAC was not possible. Nevertheless, our actions highlighted Latu’s situation to other specialist medical teams that periodically visit the SW Pacific islands. We live in hope! Bill DeJong of Merimbula Rotary Club, who participated in the Jerra Rotary managed Lapaha school project. Latu has just presented Bill with a gift of thanks for our work on the school
Baby Fitz from the Solomon Islands June to September 2015 Vicki Still, a member of our club, put her hand up to home host baby Fitz and his mother Freda under the ROMAC program. While other clubs in District 9710 has accepted sponsorship responsibilities for ROMAC patients, we understand that this is the first time that a Rotarian other than Sandra Mahlberg has home hosted a patient under this scheme. Sandra Mahlberg, District 9710’s ROMAC ‘angel’, has had a big hand in the organisation and management of all ROMAC patients. When born, Fitz had a tumour about the size of his head protruding from his bottom. It was wrapped around the base of his spinal column (coccyx) and was slightly larger inside his body than the part that could be seen on the outside. The doctor said he would have died within a year without surgery. Now he is a thriving and healthy young boy!
Baby Fitz on arrival to Canberra Fitz with Hannah, our German Exchange student 2014-15 Fitz’s mother Freda Where Chilly got the bug!
Emele and Noa: July 2016-Jan2017 & July2017- Sep2017
Putting on a brave face Noa and the Brumbie’s Henry Speight A proud Noa with his new bike, with even prouder Jerra Rotarians Noa giving Tevita Kuridrani tips on field positioning This bike stuff is a piece of cake!
Postscript Noa’s condition will require a third operation. Fortunately, the doctor performing the second operation has Fijian connections. He has indicated that he may be able to perform this last operation in Fiji, thus avoiding travel and visa complications for Emele and Noa, and placing him closer to family and village support. Importantly too for Emele, she will no longer have to endure Canberra’s climate! Potential Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) project for Noa’s school at Vatukalo on Overlau island, Fiji: In 2016, Noa’s school was substantially damaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston, which was the strongest tropical cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere on record, as well as the strongest to make landfall in the Southern Hemisphere. Paul Roger and Chilly are planning a scoping visit to Vatukalo to assess the potential for a RAWCS project to assist restoration of the school. The visit is planned for sometime after Emele and Noa’s return home. Jerra Rotary has proven its ability to successfully run projects of this complexity and size – and to attract members of other Rotary Clubs who are keen to assist. More on RAWCS at: https://www.rotaryd9710.org.au/projects/international/rawcs.html
Find out more about ROMAC What We Do: https://www.romac.org.au/about-romac/what-we-do/ Who We Are: https://www.romac.org.au/about-romac/who-we-are/ Our Patrons and Ambassadors: https://www.romac.org.au/about-romac/patrons-and-ambassadors/ Patient Stories: https://www.romac.org.au/patients/patient-stories/ Donate: https://www.romac.org.au/donate/
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