From our international volunteer Tim (Germany):
Our Director and founder of Vryground NGO - Where Rainbows Meet - Mymoena Scholtz received the highest award presented by the Rotary Club in recognition of her work in the community! The well-known newspaper Southern Mail presented an article on Wendnesday 2nd of April.
The Article further outlines:
"She was surprised when she was given the Paul Harris Fellowship award on Wednesday March 26. Ms Scholtz, said: “I was completely stunned when I received this prestigious award. “It’s my calling to work in the community, now for over 10 years and this award motivates me to work harder. “Thank you to the Rotary Club who showed their faith in me and who value my work.”
According to John Connah, chairperson of the International Committee of Chester Rotary Club, in England, “the Paul Harris Fellowship award is given to anyone who has gone the extra mile in the community” (..) “In all my 16 years at the Rotary I have never come across a Paul Harris Fellowship award to a more deserving person than Mymoena,” he said. The award was created in memory of Paul Harris who established the Rotary Club over 106 years ago.
It acknowledges the outstanding contribution and exceptional service of members of the community or the club. Rotary also gave Where Rainbows Meet R10 000, which the NGO plans to spend on their vegetable garden.
Ms Scholtz said: “The award was a surprise and the R10 000 cheque was a generous gesture. “Where Rainbows Meet feeds 200 people a day (..) now we are focusing on people with chronic illness” further “The rule is that to get a meal free, anyone who joins must attend an awareness programme on health and how to treat illnesses.
“We give them a hearty meal such as samp, beans, lentils and veggies.” Ms Scholtz said Gill Atkins, a volunteer at Kromboom Rotary Club, had asked for a list of their needs and they requested help with their garden. Ms Atkins said: “At Where Rain- bows Meet we have a successful sewing room where women sew bags, make jewellery, do beading and more.”
Ms Atkins said Rotary had sponsored the counseling room, the kitchen and the paving. Winter is coming and Overcome Heights Informal Settlement residents suffered floods and recently many fires. The clothing bank of Where Rainbows Meet is running dry and they need support." (Source: Southern Mail)