Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns: a legacy of service and community impact

IN THE vibrant community of Chatsworth, the newly-inducted Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns stands as a testament to the legacy of service. 

Founded in March 1988 by the late Siva Naidoo, the Rotary Club, which was registered by Rotary International, sought to meet the needs of the local community, a vision that has continuously evolved over the years.

The Rotary Anns of Chatsworth was designed to involve the spouses of Rotarians in community service activities. 

Prelene Naidoo, the wife of Siva Naidoo, served as the first president, leading the group through its formative years. Each president serves a term of one year, with the new term having commenced on July 1. 

The president of the newly-elected Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns is Sushiela Govender, while Shano Pillay serves as the Charter President. 

Navi Parumaul, a Rotary Ann for 25 years and the Public Image Director, said the Rotaract Club comprised 25 members, who were business entrepreneurs, teachers, retirees, home executives and chartered accountants, among other professionals. 

She said the process of becoming a Rotary Ann had since changed now that they had become Rotaracts. 

"If your husband was a Rotarian then you automatically became a Rotary Ann. However as a Rotaract, you now don’t have to have a spouse in the rotary. The Rotaract Club will identify a person who is worthy of community service and approach them to join. If someone is interested to join the Rotaract club, they can now contact the club and they will be vetted and then given membership," said Parumaul.  

"The work of the Rotary Anns was not previously recognised by Rotary International. However, the Rotary Club's president, Logan Pillay, and District Governor, Raj Ramchunder, assisted with the Rotary Anns registration to be recognised as a Rotaract Club with Rotary International. We celebrated our induction as a Rotaract." 

Explaining what this status meant, she said: "If the Rotaracts want to build a home for abused women and can raise R200 000 by doing local fundraising, we can now apply to Rotary International to see if we qualify for a further R200 000. 

"Rotary International will match the amount raised with a grant that is equivalent to the amount raised by the Rotaracts. This opens many doors to help people in need and create support to impoverished communities."  

The Rotary Anns are involved in various initiatives, she said, and are all aimed at uplifting and bettering the lives of individuals and communities. 

"We started a sanitary drive project two years ago. We saw the need to provide these essential items to young females, who were absent from school because they did not have access to the care products. Now, about 200 females from 10 schools in Chatsworth receive sanitary pads from us monthly. We make this possible through sponsorship and fundraising and hope to expand this project to reach more female learners. 

"On an annual basis we treat old age homes. We have been serving savouries and tea to ABH for the past 10 years. About 350 seniors benefit from this. We provide entertainment and a morning of fun. We also take the residents to a movie every year for the past 16 years. They enjoy their movie with popcorn and cooldrink. Thereafter, the Rotary Anns treat the seniors to a meal at one of the outlets at Suncoast." 

They have also done meals and Christmas cheers as well as refurbishments at the Thokozo Home for three years. 

"We have held pamper days for the Velankanni Church and the Woodhurst Senior Citizens Club in collaboration with Damorosa School. In addition to this, we have prepared meals for the patients of the Chatsworth Hospice Day Clinic for over 20 years. 

"The Rotary Anns prepare sandwiches and serve the patients with tea and coffee, muffins, yoghurt and fruit. On special occasions, the patients receive a gift. The Rotary Anns fundraise for the hospice by hosting a bingo night or a high tea. A substantial amount has been given to hospice over the years." 

Parumaul said they would refurbish a home for abused women and children in Chatsworth, and would host a gender-based violence workshop in November to support women and children who suffered the scourge of abuse.

"We will also have a school uniform project, where needy pupils will be identified and kitted with complete sets of uniforms; a bursary project, where we will offer a bursary to a worthy student who requires financial assistance; and we will host anti-bullying workshops at schools." 

Sushiela Govender said like all the Rotary Anns, they were passionate about reaching out and changing lives. 

"Our passion to serve is always ignited when we see the joy on the faces of children and adults, and when hope and faith is restored in their lives." 

To find out more about the Rotaract Club of Chatsworth Anns, call Navi Parumaul on 082 466 1117 or email [email protected], or the membership director, Terona Govender, on 072 056 9021, or email [email protected]

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