We certainly hope the first month of the new Rotary year has been treating you and your Club well.
On that note, we are very excited to share our first monthly update for the new year - featuring information about where we're currently working, stories from the field that showcase the Rotary and ShelterBox partnership in action, as well as opportunities for your Club to get involved.
Here at ShelterBox New Zealand, there is no greater feeling than smiles of joy and relief on the faces of people like Shewit, from Ethiopia (pictured above), after providing them with the tools they need to begin their journey to recovery.
Transforming despair into hope means the world to us. But, this wouldn't be possible without the incredible support your Club has provided us. Thank you for supporting our mission, and making our mahi possible. We hope you enjoy reading this update!
Ngā manaakitanga, The ShelterBox New Zealand team.
24 Hours of Lemons, for ShelterBox New Zealand
Sometime over the past few years, you may have heard from - or met, Guy Cassidy.
Like Rotarians all over the globe, Guy – who is the CEO of ENGEO New Zealand and Australia, lives by a personal motto of ‘service above self’. This worthy philosophy has seen him serve as a keen member of the ShelterBox New Zealand Board since 2016 – first as a Trustee and Director, before progressing to become our Vice-Chair, Chair, and now, Immediate Past Chair.
But, brewing beneath all of his leadership skills, governance experience, and community service, are a whole heap of petrol-head dreams!
For years, Guy has been dreaming of racing around Hampton Downs - New Zealand’s world-class Motorsport Park, and this September, he's turning his dream into a reality ...
That’s right, from the 24th-25th September, Guy and four of his good friends, will be pushing themselves to their limits - spending all day, and all night, racing a ShelterBox-green car around Hampton Downs, as part of New Zealand’s only non-stop 24-hour endurance motorsport event - the "NaZCAR Lemons continuous 24 hour".
And it’s all in the name of a good cause!
Having seen first-hand the transformational difference that our aid makes, Guy has decided to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to raise awareness and funds for ShelterBox New Zealand, so that we can continue providing emergency shelter and essential aid to families globally.
But, with an impressive fundraising goal of $20, 000, he needs your support!
“This is going to be one of the most physically and mentally demanding events I have ever taken part in so far in my life! Driving fast is one thing, but when the fatigue sets in and sun sets, things will get very tough out there. The team is utterly dedicated to run the car consistently well and finish the race – my personal goal is to achieve something very special for ShelterBox NZ in the process! As a project partner with Rotary International, ShelterBox is extremely grateful for the continued support and encouragement from Rotary Clubs throughout New Zealand - thank you from the whole race team!”
Whether you or your Club donates $5 or $1500, your support means the absolute world – not only to Guy, but also to the families, all around the globe, whose lives you will transform.
Since November 2020, ShelterBox has been working in partnership with the Rotary Club of San Pedro Sula, to provide emergency shelter and essential aid to families affected by Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Honduras. Distributions to support 3, 208 families are now officially complete.
At present - and thanks to your support, we are also providing aid in:
- Mozambique (where conflict is driving one of the world’s fastest-growing displacement crises)
- Syria (with our partner ReliefAid, we've provided families with tarpaulins and rope to reinforce their tents - helping people to socially distance, as Covid-19 reaches emergency levels)
- Lake Chad Basin (we've just finished distributions of 2, 000 SheterKits to internally displaced families)
- Ethiopia (we’re supporting families who’ve fled their homes due to escalating conflict)
- Burkina Faso (our aid is currently en route, ready to support those who are fleeing due to conflict)
During this week, three years ago, a magnitude 7 earthquake struck the island of Lombok, in Indonesia - causing widespread damage.
Together with local Rotarians and Rotary Clubs, ShelterBox responded immediately - providing families with ShelterBoxes and other essential aid items.
During this response, the bonds between Rotary and ShelterBox were cemented further. Through Rotary contacts, our Response team was put in touch with Ace Robins - the President of the Rotary Club of Mataram.
Over the following weeks, Ace and the Mataram Club were instrumental in helping bring ShelterBoxes from Jakarta - liaising with heads of local communities to identify the most affected regions, and distributing aids to families.
Ace stated "it gave us a chance to show what Rotary is to local people. My Club has continued to help the affected communities, help with school repairs, and provide additional resources".
When asked what motivated her to be part of the response effort, Ace simply replied, "to be able to help people makes me happy".
Congratulations to Mike
A few months ago, the ShelterBox New Zealand Board had the privilege of presenting the Lindsay Thorburn Memorial Award to Mike Cahill.
Mike - who is only the second recipient of this special award (which recognises the outstanding contribution of an individual to the ShelterBox mission), is one of our longest-standing, most loyal supporters. Having served ShelterBox since 2009 in many capacities, including as a Director, Board Member, and Media Officer, Mike's example is one that continues to provide inspiration to us all.
As a Rotarian himself, Mike epitomises the Rotary motto of Service Above Self - and we remain immensely grateful for his time and support, and the legacy he has built.
Transforming the lives of refugees globally
We also want to celebrate Hannah from NRG Invercargill, who recently took part in our inaugural World Refugee Day Challenge, which challenged people, all over Aotearoa, to host their own fundraising event to bring hope and light to displaced families, after their darkest days.
After raising an impressive $290, on World Refugee Day, Hannah completed an equally impressive 29.1km run - 1km for every $10 that she raised (and all on a brisk -2°C day!)
Hannah's goal with this Challenge was to raise awareness and funds to help "at least 1 person" who has been displaced by conflict or disaster - and it's fair to say she achieved that ... and so much more.
Shine for ShelterBox this Spring
Each year, Rotarians and Rotary Clubs all around Aotearoa, and all over the globe, come together to host their own candlelit dinner or supper, in support of our Shine for ShelterBoxcampaign.
This Spring, we would like to invite you to host your own Shine for ShelterBox event.
Not only is a cosy candlelit feast the perfect excuse to gather fellow Rotarians - and your loved ones, for an evening that's bound to create lasting memories, but it's also a unique and fresh opportunity for you to make a tangible difference to displaced families who have been left vulnerable by disaster and conflict.
Whether you need inspiration, resources, recipes, a guest speaker, or anything in between, we're here to provide all the support you need.
ShelterBox and Rotary are official project partners in international disaster relief. ShelterBox is a registered charity independent of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation.
