August was like a breeze, but it was an impactful month for the Rotary Club of Makati. Allow me to recap what happened. On August 3rd, President Keith Harrison and Chief of Staff Ron visited the Upskills Plus site in Tondo. Jane Walker, the founder, gave them a tour of the facility, which is making a significant impact on the lives of the slum community in Tondo. They also visited families with special children to explore potential interventions the Club could contribute to.
Later that afternoon, the Paing Hechanova Creativity Center at the RCM Clubhouse hosted the launch of Hatch+. This 10-day face-to-face session, in collaboration with StartUp Village, is guiding young entrepreneurs on a transformative journey, enhancing proposals in critical sectors using design thinking principles. On August 6th, Pres Keith Harrison, PP JunJun Dayrit and IPP Bing Matoto turned over eight (8) laptops to Ahon Siargao for the Child Development Workers in Burgos, Siargao.
On August 7th, RC Makati hosted a Community Day in Payatas, featuring international Rugby superstar Marcus Smith, in partnership with the Fairplay for All Foundation. The event brought together over 30 children, aged 13 and under, for Rugby and Futsal clinics. These clinics showcased the transformative power of sports in inspiring and uplifting young lives.
Each child received a Rugby shirt courtesy of RC Makati, and shorts provided by Marcus Smith. The community also received Rugby balls and tees, generously donated by the Makati Mavericks. On August 10th, President Keith and Rachel flew to Isabela for a series of events. The day began with the inauguration and blessing of RC Cauayan in the morning, followed by participation in the Feed Back vegetable exchange program in the afternoon, and concluded with attendance at the 42nd Induction of RC Cauayan in the evening.
On August 12th, RC Makati traveled to Bocaue, Bulacan, to visit the Brothers of Mercy at the Hospicio de San Juan de Dios. This facility is home to nearly 100 mentally ill male adults and serves as a haven for those often marginalized by society. The visit was arranged by Ann Cecille Dayrit, who has been committed to supporting this hospice for nearly two decades. It was another flying trip for Pres. Keith and Rachel on the 16th and 17th, this time joined by Dir. Derrick Tan for the RC Kuala Lumpur Diraja’s Installation at Resorts World Awana in Genting Highlands. The trip included a welcome dinner, where they connected with other foreign clubs and renewed ties with RCKL Diraja during the formal affair."
On the 18th, Dir. Andy and Dir. Boy were at the Philippine General Hospital for a surgical mission sponsored by RC Makati, where ten women diagnosed with breast cancer underwent life-saving mastectomy procedures. This mission marks RC Makati's return to conducting surgical missions at PGH after a hiatus. Since 1988, RC Makati has partnered with PGH to provide charity surgeries for conditions like hernias, thyroid disorders, and gallstones. On the 19th, RC Makati hosted the End Polio Commemoration at the RC Makati Clubhouse, the site of the first Rotary polio drop 45 years ago.
With RI President-Elect Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo as part of his 5-day visit to the Philippines, the event began with a vitamin drop for the children of Barangay Guadalupe Viejo. The formal program continued on the 3rd floor of the Paing Hechanova Creativity Center, featuring a video presentation of the historic polio vaccine drop from 45 years ago. On the 23rd, the RC Makati team was back on the road, this time in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, for the launch of a supplemental feeding program for 30 kids in the relocation site for Makati’s informal settlers. During the event, the kids were provided with meals and milk, which will be served to them every day for six months. And on the 30th, another feeding program was launched, this time for 30 kids in Brgy. Bagong Ilog, Pasig. The day ended with the much-anticipated Friday Night Lights event, bringing the month to a fun and fulfilling close." Capping off the month, President Keith and First Ann Rachel traveled to Indonesia for the Help the Children 2024 project. In partnership with 11 clubs, including our sister club and lead partner, RC Singapore, the project, valued at USD 186,000, provided school supplies to 1,500 children in Malang and Batu for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.
During our visit, we also had the opportunity to meet with the local partner and two other contributor partners of our approved Global Grant project, where we serve as the International Partner. This project focuses on enhanced training for speech and occupational therapists, as well as providing related equipment for Bhaki Luhur Orphanage—an institution caring for approximately 4,500 children with physical and mental disabilities. . August was not just impactful but also a fun month for RC Makati. We continue to make a difference, one project at a time.
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