On October 31^st, Wahiba Kiared, the CEO of the International Children’s Trust, was invited by Ken Holmes and the International Committee of the Rotary Club of Coventry for a special lunch and presentation following the positive impact of the Rotary Club’s generous gift of £6,000 to ICT. It was used for COVID relief programmes in six countries across three continents. This specific work was carried out during 2022 but due to the pandemic we were unable to meet in person to officially report on the outcome for each project. 

In Africa, programmes included supplying baking kits to six vulnerable young mothers who had also received vocational training in Burkina Faso. In rural Northern Ghana, PPE was issued to three adolescent health centres + funding was allocated to community radio programmes to increase public understanding of Covid-19 and the benefits of good hygiene practice. In Zimbabwe, one year bursaries were allocated to seven children in danger of dropping out of secondary schools in Harare.

In Asia, programmes included providing food assistance and school supplies to children and families most affected by the pandemic in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka + repayable loans were  allocated to six mothers to start their own micro-enterprises. In India, twenty children at risk of becoming involved in child labour are being supported to remain in education in Bihar.

In South America, the programme included distributing food baskets to the families of seventeen children who were at risk of emaciation in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The presentation was followed by Q&A and members of the club were pleased to receive feedback on how their donation has been used and the difference that it has made to children and families. With many thanks to all those who attended.