The Morelander Edition 29 2020-21

Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Moreland

EDITION 29|27 APRIL2021

THE MORELANDER

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NEPAL

Trevor Moyle tells us about a program to address the trafficking of young girls and women from villages in Nepal

Pages 3 and 4

Award of Excellence for Club Bulletin 2018-2019

Moreland Rotary acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct our business. Moreland Rotary respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. Moreland Rotary also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

Cover photo: A near completed Girls Empowerment Center which will accommodate up to 33 girls who would otherwise not have access to education and vulnerable to trafficking (Trevor Moyle) THE MORELANDER

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BREAKING THE CYCLE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NEPAL

Trafficking of girls and young women has a long history in the Indian sub-continent, inevitably from a combination of two causes rooted respectively in power based structures and poverty.

Historically in Nepal this would involve members of the onetime many male royal household members recruiting concubines, followed by others like Indian based British Army officers.

The photo on the cover of the bulletin is of a near completed Girls Empowerment Center which will accommodate up to thirty three girls who would otherwise not have access to education and vulnerable to trafficking.

Club member Trevor Moyle gave an update to our meeting last week, of how one of his Nepal Foundations is dealing with this very issue in a remote and marginalised community of Ghyangphedi, in the District of Nuwakot.

Community Leadership Nepal Foundation (CLNF) was established by Trevor in partnership with Nepalis in Nepal and a combination of Nepali and non Nepali Australians.

The presentation focussed very much on the Ghyangphedi Project – which has at its core empowerment and education to achieve community resilience and a ability to provide alternative to the insidious practice of trafficking.

Many organisations seek to address the issue of trafficking Some by interception of girls in transit to places like brothels in India.

Rescue from the places of captivity The Ghyangphedi project is however focussed on addressing the underlying causes and breaking the trafficking cycle, with CLNF working in partnership with US group Global Orphan Prevention which is funding the Girls Empowerment Center shown on the bulletin cover.

The above photos show the local geography and a perspective of the main village. (Trevor Moyle)

The key background issues are:

A hub of girl trafficking for two centuries – from supply of concubines to prostitution.

An ethnically marginalised community – 90% Tamang.

Poorest and lowest education/adult literacy of Nepalese communities are in the Nuwakot District.

Girls and females represent the majority of agriculture workforce.

2015 earthquakes exacerbated caused widespread destruction and 85 deaths.

The economic impact encouraged the expansion of trafficking Trafficking often conducted by community and expat community members.

Entrenched issues proven difficult to achieve meaningful changes.

TEXT: TREVOR MOYLE THE MORELANDER

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BREAKING THE CYCLE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NEPAL Project Objectives

Empower women and girls to raise their standards of living and eliminate the cause for girl trafficking in the future.

Education – improve adult literacy and school participation.

Improve community health – with focus on Maternal & Child healthcare Eliminate domestic violence and substance abuse (including alcohol) Promote economic development – through microfinance, agriculture and use of cooperatives.

Photo of local School (very good standard) which will be expanded to cope with planned higfer participation. The second photo outside the school shows the Vice Principal and a few locals in earnest discussion, (Trevor Moyle)

Project management

The project is managed by a representative team of CLNF directors in Nepal and Melbourne, with outstanding experience. Trevor provides project oversight.

The project team is supported by representation from community and government stakeholders.

The Project Programme has been set over 3 years with the first year dedicated to: Completion of Girls Dormitory and Empowerment Center.

Employment of a full time CLNF Project Officer.

Facilitation of entry of girls to the Empowerment Center and registration at school.

Community Leadership Nepal Foundation (CLNF) was established by Trevor in partnership with Nepalis in Nepal and a combination of Nepali and non Nepali Australians. The objective of CLNF is to create model project opportunities that are aimed at empowering communities to creating sustainable solutions. It is very much a case of “teaching the man to fish”.

Trevor has been involved in Nepal since co-founding and chairing his SmileHigh Foundation in 2006 with NZ dentist and orthodontist Dr Julian Haszard and Nepalese Sherpa dentist Dr Mingma Sherpa. Julian met Mingma and the late Sir Ed Hillary whi inspired them both to provide oral health education and treatment for Sherpa children arising from consumption of sugary foods brought in by overseas climbers and trekkers.

The SmileHigh model was based on programmes that focus on empowerment and sustainable outcomes, which has evolved into work undertaken under collaboration agreements with Kathmandu Medical College and Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences.

Trevor did not visit Nepal until 2015, a year after the death of his wife and shortly after the tragic earthquakes. He has since undertaken ten trips to Nepal where he has built a network both in the capital city of Kathmandu and many rural and remote villages.

Working in communities supported by SmileHigh and with Medical Colleges, the value of the empowerment strategy became very apparent. In addition, there was widespread evidence, especially in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquakes, of ill thought out projects and wasted application of funds. Examples included health posts for which funding was inadequate to make them fully useful and the conduct of one-off volunteer based services and health camps which provided no more than short term solutions.

CLNF Projects

Model Community Development Program at Ghyangphedi, Nuwakot - empowerment of a marginalised community, with immediate focus on the education and welfare of women and girls, with an objective of eliminating the cause of girl trafficking.

Model Sustainable Agriculture Education Program at Manechauka, Tanahun - working with Dip Ag Sc and Dip Vet Sc program to provide support for development of community based practical agribusiness programmes and regenerative/organic agriculture education.

Completion of a consultation programme with local Community Groups Commencement of training and support in areas of Empowerment Adult education Increase school attendance.

Agriculture Business training through cooperatives Development of the brick making and building business, with the machine acquired with the empowerment center building.

THE MORELANDER

Trevor seen here with Provincial Government Representation Radhika Tamang, laying foundation stone and light foundation candle respectively. (Trevor Moyle)

TEXT: TREVOR MOYLE

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About Rotary District Governor's Newsletter "Bruce's Bulletin" is the monthly newsletter of District Governor Bruce Anderson. There is a lot of information about the many Rotary projects and events across our District.

Simply click here to read the latest edition Members of Rotary are part of a diverse group of community and professional leaders working to address community and international service needs and to promote peace and understanding throughout the world.

Rotary districts are a way of grouping a number of clubs in a particular geographic area. The area covered quite often crosses state and even international boundaries.

Rotary District 9790 encompasses the northern Rotary clubs receive a charter suburbs of Melbourne and from the worldwide organisation - stretches north and north east of Rotary International.

Victoria to the Murray River and up into parts of NSW. A Rotarian belongs to a particular Rotary Club often near his/her For more information about home or work or sometimes Rotary District 9790, click here because of the club meeting time.

THE MORELANDER

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Rotary Leadership 2020-21

Rotary International: President: Holger Knaack (Susanne) , Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenberg-Mölln (Germany) District Governor: Bruce Anderson (Marilyn), Rotary Club of Strathmore Assistant Governor Group 2: Emma Davis, Rotary Club of Moreland Rotary Club of Moreland President: David Redfearn (Deanna)

Club Service Roles 2020-21 President President Elect Secretary Treasurer Club Service Community Service Vocational Services International Service and Assistant Bulletin Editor Membership and Rotary Foundation Local Environment Youth and Assistant Secretary Club Administration Bulletin Editor Australian Rotary Health Public Relations Club History Valued members Honorary Members

David Redfearn OAM Emma Davis Rosemary Freeman John Hoffmann Brian Bennett David Redfearn OAM Brian Bennett Trevor Moyle Trevor Moyle Jo Connellan Silvana De Pretto Nino Galgano David Redfearn OAM Rosemary Freeman Russell Stuckey Nino Galgano Richard McCarthy, Elly Gardner, Lee Garwood. Emma Davis The Hon. Kelvin Thomson, Helen Bailey, John Awler

District 9790 /Multi District Roles 2020-21

Assistant Governor, Group 2 District Community Service Chair and Australian Rotary Health District Legal Officer District Bulletin Editor and Peter Toomey Community Police Award Shine On Awards

Emma Davis Rosemary Freeman Nino Galgano David Redfearn OAM Brian Bennett

WHEN AND WHERE WE MEET: Moreland Rotary Club meets most Wednesdays at 7.30 for a 7.40 am start.

We meet at the Sorrento Bar, 801 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 3056 HOW TO GET A COPY OF THE MORELANDER: If you would like to receive our bulletin via email each week, email our editor at: dredfearn@vtown.com.au WHERE TO SEND FORMAL CORRESPONDENCE: Attention: The Secretary, Moreland Rotary Club, PO Box 219, Coburg, Victoria, 3058

Chartered 14 August 1996 - Sponsor Club Coburg Rotary Club | Incorporated 13 August 2019 Designed using Canva - www.canva.com

THE MORELANDER

Images by David Redfearn and logos from rotary.org unless otherwise specified.

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Upcoming events and meetings A standing invitation exists for all readers of The Morelander to attend Moreland Rotary Club meetings and some of our other events. Please let us know if you intend to join us by ringing David Redfearn on 0448 852 747 or emailing on dredfearn@vtown.com.au (click on email address).

Upcoming speakers/events 28 April: Georgia Tracy, Kevin Heinze Grow Chair: Rosemary Freeman 5 May: TBA Chair: Nino Galgano 12 May: Monthly Board meeting Chair: President David Redfearn 19 May: Planning session Chair: President Elect Emma Davis 26 May: TBA Chair: John Hoffmann Our Guest Speakers Moreland Rotary Club invites speakers to our club both from our local community and further afield. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and are invited because they hopefully inform and stimulate our members and guests. We feel that this is of value in fostering a deeper understanding of our diverse community and even providing guidance as to the types of activites and projects our club may engage in.

However the opinions expressed by our speakers do not necessarily reflect any official viewpoint of Moreland Rotary nor those of individual club members. Irrespective of this we always offer a warm Rotary welcome to all of our speakers.

click here @RotaryMoreland THE MORELANDER

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During the pandemic we have been meeting via Zoom on Wednesday mornings from 7.30-8.30 am and we have had some great guest speakers.

You now may be able to join us in person at our usual venue which is listed on page 6. Numbers are presently restricted so an RSVP is essential. You can still join us on Zoom though and the link is below.

Why not join us one morning? Simply ring David on 0448 852 747 the day before to RSVP and then go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3068589175 just before the meeting to join in.