Local Rotaract Club Helps Fiji Neighbours

The soon-to-be formed Rotaract Club of One Tree Hill is already underway with a major community services project. The group has plans to provide some of Fiji's children and elderly with a helping hand by supplying them with some much-needed solar-powered lighting.

The group of community-minded Auckland youth will install solar lighting to replace kerosene lamps in 10 homes on the island of Vanua Levu in Fiji. These dwellings currently house children or elderly people and have no electricity. The goal is provide them with safe and effective lighting for approximately four hours each night.

Teenage electrical apprentice Craig Hughes, who is part of the group which will soon form the One Tree Hill Rotaract Club, has already developed a successful prototype of the solar unit. Craig, 18, who works for a telecommunications company, will eventually travel to Fiji to install the lights, along with other Rotaract members.

Each of the 10 houses will be provided with one solar-powered unit. The battery will charge during daylight hours, and will run a 13W energy-saving lightbulb at night.

The solar units are estimated to cost about $400 each, with money coming from Rotary clubs and business in Auckland and Fiji as well as the One Tree Hill Rotaract club's own fundraising initiatives. The One Tree Hill Rotary Club is sponsoring the prototype, and support is currently being sought from local businesses to help pay for the solar units themselves.

Rotaract is an international organisation for people aged 18 to 30 who are aspiring leaders, community-minded, or simply want to have a great time and make new friends. By reciprocal arrangement, all Rotaract members are welcomed at meetings of all other Rotaract clubs around the world.

The Rotaract Club of One Tree Hill is keen to attract new members, so it is able to charter as a group early next year.

Craig Hughes says: "We extend an invitation to others to join us as foundation members of the One Tree Hill club we are planning to charter in 2007. Rotaract clubs offer a huge range of social events and networking opportunities and, for many people, their Rotaract club becomes the central focus of their social life. Others, though, are happy just to attend the fortnightly meetings and participate in a few of the leadership and community service events."

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of One Tree Hill and supported by Triangle Television Auckland and Wellington's Regional Television Station the One Tree Hill club will become part of Rotaract's network of more than 7500 clubs in 161 countries, with a total membership of more than 165,000 worldwide.

To date, meetings have been held at the venues of various social events which have included a camping trip to Parakai, tenpin bowling, and a visit to Triangle Television's station.

four of the group's members - Ashlini Singh, Rajinesh (Raju) Singh (holding solar panel), Craig Hughes (holding unit), and Jeremy Austin.

For further information about the club, visit www.tritv.co.nz (scroll to the bottom of the home page) or www.rotaract.org.nz or phone Craig Hughes on 021 352399.

ENDS

© Scoop Media