A modern, easy-to-reach, fully equipped maternity ward! It’s a need all over the world.  And our guest speaker last week is working to ensure that women have a safe place and trained medical staff to provide obstetric and neonatal care in a rural area of Uganda. 

The Maranatha Maternity Ward is a joint project of the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club, and two clubs in Uganda:  The Rotary Club of Kampala East, and the poetically named Rotary Club of Lugogo Mango Tree. Our speaker last week was Nancy Irving. She and her husband Scott are both past presidents of the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club, and they joined us last Thursday along with their shelties Lexi and Layla.   

Working with Partners for World Health, the Portland-based non-profit that sources and ships surplus hospital medical equipment around the world, the Rotary project will provide training, plus equipment for a delivery ward, neonatal unit, sterilization and surgical unit. Nancy shared with us that the total project budget is around $185,000, and the market value of the equipment will be $1.3 million.  That’s the power of Partners for World Health recycling thrown away hospital equipment and supplies! 

It was clear from her presentation that the partners have done a remarkable job of planning and a community assessment that should get the project off to a good start. Nancy hopes to have the financial commitments from clubs including ours in hand by this fall, with the expectation that Partners for World Health will ship the four containers of equipment needed by spring. It is clearly a quality project to be involved with. 

Other guests at the meeting were Marcia and Bob, who are members of a Rotary Club in New York City, and summer here in the region. 

Judi White shared that Brian McGrath is running up to Damariscotta each week to bring veggies to the share table at the library as well as our low-income housing communities.  He’d like a backup driver – please talk to Judi or Brian and take a ride with Brian on a Friday to learn the ropes.  It’s an easy way to help our neighbors get the quality nutrition they deserve. 

And various changes to our “usual” calendar: No meeting next week (July 30) while we all take a short summer vacation; our next Thursday evening will be the following Aug. 6, when we will hear about another program, this one located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to support women’s education at a technical college in that country.   

The BOD meeting is also rescheduled to take place on Monday, Aug. 3.  All members are invited to participate; talk to President Jim if you would like the Google Meetup link.   

But nothing stops the Barn! Sales at the Big Gray Barn continue at the always popular time of 8:30 to 11 a.m. each Saturday at 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor.  Be there for deals and steals on furniture, bric-a-brac, tools, collectibles and more.  I noticed a few kayaks for sale, and lots of outside furniture, just perfect for the weather we’ve been having.  And all at prices that will make you swear never to buy retail again! Come and check us out.  And if you have stuff to donate, call or text 207-619-1417 and we’ll arrange a pickup. We couldn’t do it without you. 

That’s us! We raise money and give it back to this community and beyond in the form of donations, scholarships, and so much more.  And we have a great time while it’s happening!  If that sounds like something you would like to take part in, get in touch with any Rotarian or drop by one of our meetings, held Thursday evenings beginning at 6 p.m. at our Clubhouse at 66 Montgomery Road (just not Thursday, July 30). You’ll be glad you did!