(Last Updated on January 21, 2016 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Rotary International president Ravi Ravindran is expected to visit Zimbabwe in March as part of his international tour this year.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, former Rotary district governor Stella Dongo, said Zimbabwe would benefit immensely from the visit which will see Ravindran engaging President Robert Mugabe and other top government officials.
She said the visit would unlock numerous humanitarian support for various Rotary Foundation projects funded through Rotary clubs in Zimbabwe.
“This is particularly elating considering that Rotary is represented in more than 160 countries across the globe and that a Rotary International president’s term of office is only one year. Zimbabwe benefits from this visit in numerous ways. Among others, this visit puts Zimbabwe on the global map as the country gets positive international media attention,” Dongo said.
“He will be engaging the Head of State and senior government officials to discuss opportunities for the advancement of peace, poverty alleviation and development of local communities. Zimbabwe is one of only four countries on the continent that he will be visiting in his one-year term.”
Founded in 1905, the Rotary Foundation was instrumental in the drafting of the United Nations Charter which led to the formation of the United Nations in 1945 and is recognised for its contribution to peace and poverty alleviation.
The organisation has been responsible for various programmes around the world, including eradication of polio in over 200 countries. Zimbabwe was declared polio-free last year having partnered with organisations like Unicef, World Health Organisation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others.
Some of the projects include fighting diseases, providing clean water, maternal health care, supporting education and growing local economies.
Dongo made history last year by being among six women worldwide and only one in Africa named as Global Women of Action at the United Nations.