Haddenham & District Rotary Club

District 1090    R.I.B.I. Club No. 1654

We were joined by past and honorary members and those from our mother club Thame, together with princes Risborough and Aylesbury.
Our District Governor, Tony Bacon, was present and in his address he kindly referred to us as non-conformist rebels, with a preference for light hearted enjoyment as well as dedication.  He also noted the emergence of a shed owners club in his District – President Ken Elphick had recently enjoyed a breakthrough into early evening television on a series devoted to what people do in their garden sheds – he and other members had recently returned from an African Expedition, to compare notes perhaps?
Our Founder President, Keith Smith, remarked on the excellent turnout – unusual considering the District Governor was present.  Much to his amazement past President Roger Rickard was presented with a Paul Harris Award.
Past President Peter Barnes introduced our after dinner guest speaker, Sir Michael Willcocks, Gentleman Usher to the House of Lords, or Black Rod as he is more commonly known.
After a distinguished career in the army he was one of 800 applicants for the job, which was then whittled down to 80 and finally a shortlist of 8. He was successful and now has the opportunity to wear black tights in public and is the most prominent Rod in the land.  He is the 58^th in 659 years and in that time only one has been executed!  Sir Michael Willcocks has been referred to as a Midget by a certain MP, although he does believe in being short and circumspect – ‘I am and I have been’.  He is the Queen’s representative in parliament and responsible for organising state ceremonies.  At the 2001 State Opening of Parliament his enthusiasm when “hammering” at the door was noted by the Queen with a request not to destroy the historical fabric.  Why do you do it he has been asked to which he replied, have you tried it.   He concluded by stating what good value the Lords were compared to the Commons and M.E.Ps.
Michael Pitcher then gave a vibrating vote of thanks.
The raffle was again won by Bob Kramer, our Mediterranean correspondent and exile.
Despite the worst efforts of the weather outside, aided and abetted inside by a heating system with a mind of its own, the evening was a glittering success and our thanks go to Peter Barns and his team for a job well done – you couldn’t see the wood for the trees!
Talking of which, there follows below a selection of photographs taken on the evening - everyone looks reasonably happy don't you think?

Rtn. Michael Gregory.

Blog for Monday 12th November 2007

Our speaker for the evening was Joe Seed from the Rotary Club of Henley on Thames.
His topic was Micro credit in Malawi or, as Joe put it - 'a hand up and not a hand out for the 7^th poorest country in the world'. 85% of the population live on less than 45p per day.
To those of us living in the United Kingdom this would seem to be an impossibility – but for the people of Malawi it is an everyday reality.
Joe asked how many of the club were familiar with Micro Credits and quickly realised that this was all new to the majority of his audience.
From a starting point of assuming we were all clueless (a reasonable assumption), Joe explained the process of Micro Credit and the project Rotary District 1090 were supporting. The project is based in Kasungu and local Rotary Clubs would be directly involved.
The concept of Micro Credit was first applied by Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi Banker and economist. A former professor of economics, he successfully applied the concept of Micro Credit, (the extension of small loans), to entrepreneurs too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. Yunus is also the founder of Grameen Bank. In 2006 Yunus and the bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in helping the poorer countries of the world.

Joe Seed making a very convincing case for 'Micro Credits'

Most of the people receiving loans lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit.
Micro Credit finance helps people to escape poverty by giving them collateral-free loans and other financial services to support income-generating businesses.  As each loan is repaid, the money is redistributed as loans to others, thereby multiplying its impact.   Most loans are very small and are set up in conjunction with a savings account.  A “Trust Bank” is formed with a number of people who have been given loans.
It was brilliant to hear that over 96% repay their loans.
Joe referred to Alesi, a lady in Malawi whose loans have helped her build a business making and selling doughnuts and has opened new horizons for her and her 6 children. Not only do her direct family benefit but it is estimated that, including her extended family, 15 people will benefit.
In summary, Micro Credit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to the unemployed, to poor entrepreneurs and to others living in poverty that are not considered as suitable for a traditional loan.  Women do play a prominent role in the local economy as some 67% of loans are made to them.
At the end of Joe’s presentation we could not fail to be most impressed, not only with the presentation and the concept of Micro Credits, but above all the resilience of the local people and the determination to make a better life for themselves and their families.  This is a project that the club should consider for future help.

Rtn. Mike Ginsberg