Where Have the Last Four Months Gone?

by Tom McCaughey, President Rotary Club of St. John's Northwest 2003-2004

It seemed so far away when Mark Brown first told me about this proposed adventure to India. Now, it's February 1st already.

As I have told several people, since joining Rotary in 1993, I have heard that Polio is almost eradicated - soon, another year or so, maybe five. We make our donations, we talk about polio being almost beaten. There are still four pockets in the world where polio exists. If we don't beat it, it will come back in this small world we now live in. I have always been interested in participating in a National Immunization Day (NID) but always assumed that I would be too late for the opportunity. That opportunity has arrived and I feel that I have to do my part to finally rid the world's kids of that dreaded, crippling disease.

I also have an added bonus in the fact that I can also participate in what is turning out to be a great humanitarian effort in the Indian village of Chahalka.

I was President of the RC of St. John's Northwest in 2003-2003. RI President Jonathon Majiyagbe, had as his motto Lend a Hand that year. We know that Rotary is an international humanitarian service organization comprised of business and professional men and women; leaders who volunteer their time and resources to help others in their local communities and throughout the world. We do well locally - our club should be very proud of our achievements - but I have always felt that we do not do enough to help in the international community. I now have an opportunity to Lend A Hand where it is really needed.

I am glad that my wife, Shirley, decided to come along on this adventure. She has been very excited and is very much looking forward to doing her part. We are not sure what tasks will be assigned to each of us when we arrive in Chahalka. We will do whatever needs to be done. Probably, we'll use what little talents we may have to best advantage but Shirley wants to be ready for whatever may come along. These past few months, she has been very regularly working out at the gym to ensure she will be in the best condition possible to handle whatever tasks she may be handed. I've been slacking off in this department recently.

It has been difficult to sleep lately. With the pressures of planning and organizing at work and for other commitments that I have made, combined with the excitement of our upcoming trip, my head spins a lot. Some will say that a spinning head is typical for me so I may as well beat them to it.

I was up until midnight, slept till 4:00 am and got up to compile lists of gifts to the children of India from the various participants in the trip from around the world. I am impressed. There are already over 8400 itmes - pens, pencils, computer games, calculators, bracelets, toothbrushes, balls and toys of all kinds; the list continues. Such a variety. Such generosity.

During our trip, we will be hosted by Sanjiv Saran and his wife, Jyotsna, who will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary on February 8th. A celebration is planned at their farm for February 10th, after the NID. A concert, of sorts, is planned to showcase the many talents of this diverse group from around the globe that we are travelling with. I have volunteered as a member of the audience, a very important function for any production, but I have been having my arm twisted a bit to leave my seat. Who will then watch and applaud? There has been talk that a Newfoundland delegation will be orchestrated into doing some class act. We'll see.

Tom