Rotary's Ghana Eye-care Mission Project
Rotary International is a humanitarian organization that connects people of action through a global network of clubs and members (Rotarians).
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For administrative purposes, the more than 46,000 Rotary clubs worldwide are grouped into 529 districts, and the districts into 34 zones.
Rotary Clubs and Rotarians together, assess and identify community-based problems as well as propose and implement sustainable solutions to these problems.
Rotary International was introduced in Ghana about 65 years ago and has undertaken many service projects through a growing number of Clubs nationwide. Some of these service projects are in partnership with Rotary Clubs around the world and or The Rotary Foundation.
In the spirit of friendship and with the aim to create hope in the world, a few Rotary clubs of Rotary International Districts 3181, 3191 and 3192 of India and District 9104 of Ghana supported by Combat Blindness International, USA, Rotary Avoidable Blindness Foundation, India, Sri Gurumangala Eye Foundation, Bangalore and Usha Kiran Charitable Trust, Mysore jointly launched the Ghana Eye-care Mission Project on the on 15th of October 2023 to support 100 Free Cataract Surgeries of underprivileged Ghana citizens.
Rtn. Dr. G.Venkatasubramaniam, MD, FRCS a renowned eye surgeon of Bangalore and a passionate Rotarian serving the community arrived in Accra, Ghana from Bangalore, India on the 14th of October,2023 to extend his professional services voluntarily at Tema Christian Eye Centre, Tema for performing cataract surgeries spread over one week starting from 16th October.
While Rotary Clubs of India supported the travel cost of Dr. Venkat, the NGOs sponsored the cost of all consumables to be used for the free surgeries. Rotary Clubs of Accra-Industrial, Accra-Premier International, Obuasi and Accra-Teshie Nungua from District 9104, Ghana have come together to host Dr. Venkat’s stay at Ghana and manage the logistics of the project. The total budget for this project is estimated at US$7,000.
On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the District Governor of District 9104, Ghana, Rotarian David Osei Amankwah Junior accompanied by some District Executives and some Rotarians from the partner clubs visited the Tema Christian Eye Center to interact with the beneficiaries and the medical team. The Team of Rotarians included the Presidents of the Rotary Cubs of Accra-Industrial and Accra-Premier International, Rotarians Karol Kunko and Bernard Joseph. The President Elects from the Rotary Cubs of Accra-Industrial and Accra-Teshie Nungua; Rotarians Nana Konadu and Mawuli Alomenu. The team also interacted with the staff and management of the centre and discussed possible collaborations in the future that will extend this service in the form of community outreach programs.
Rotary International, a 118-year-old Service Organization through such collaborations creates hope within the underprivileged communities in the world. This collaboration not only brings relief to the beneficiaries but also fosters the Object of Rotary which is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
• FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
• SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
• THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
• FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
