In 1940, when Holland was invaded by the Blitzkrieg, our Rotarian, Dolf Wynia was 6 years old.

 

(Dolf Wynia and Rotarian Craig Hunter at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 79)

Dolf’s parents lived on the outskirts of Rotterdam. His mother kept him away from the windows lest stray bullets from aerial battles overhead enter the home. (The invading German armies wanted the shipping port of Rotterdam and the coastal airfields intact to launch invasions against England. Holland’s military put up a stiff fight; but with its outdated equipment soon exhausted the city of Rotterdam and Holland were surrendered within four days.)

Dolf reminisced about his childhood experiences. Bricks from bombed out buildings were used to build low walls from which Dolf and his friends could challenge youngsters from other neighbourhoods.
But, simultaneously, Dolf observed unexplained (to the eyes of a young child) variances in the daily life and routines of his parents – their secrecy where none had existed before, closing the curtains against the songs and propaganda of the Nazis, vinegar bottles in the liquor cabinet. (Dolf’s father was a vinegar salesman. Vinegar was manufactured from fermented gin. His father brought home gin in these vinegar bottles and used them as the only currency that could gain any cooperation of the German officers.)
Dolf was fortunate to never experience a shortage of food during the war years. First - his mother had lain in supplies of salt and vinegar to preserve food before the war based upon newspaper reports of failing talks and fear of invasions. However, a German blockade of fuel and supplies from farm towns in 1944 threw Holland into famine. Second - Dolf’s family moved about 120 kms north to their uncle's farm (via some wood-burning motorized contraption but that’s another story). Their uncle’s farm was self sufficient in agriculture, livestock and energy from burning peat and tapping methane gas from the bogs.
This is the point in Dolf’s presentation where his voice and emotion cracked -the proud (as a survivor) reminiscences giving way to memories (now at age 10) and horrors of starvation passing by the farm gates. His uncle built a shelter by the roadside and fed the humanity passing by. One man had a small suitcase under his arm. Inside the case were 12 place settings of sterling silver. Starving, he offered that just for a bag of potatoes.

No one wins at war!

Did you know that World Vision is the third largest charity in the world, following the United Nations and the Red Cross. They are organized in 115 countries. Lindsay Gladding (left in photo being thanked by Rotarian Rick Honcharsky) is a Director of World Vision, Canada. A contact through our club President, Dave King's daughter brought Lindsay to us today. 

 

 

Lindsay was on point but admitted some lingering lapses have spent 58 hours in the air last week touching down in disaster zones in Indonesia - earth quakes at 7.4 magnitude causing tsunamis and landslides from soil liquefaction- plus the jet lag home to Canada.

 

World Vision began in 1947 when a missionary abroad spoke to the head of an orphanage in Pakistan who had to turn away children due to lack of capacity/funding. On the spot he gave her $5 in local currency and promised and did raise funds and sent funds every month thereafter.

 

World Vision is focused on children's needs but their scope is coordinated through a global strategy. It may include rebuilding a school, it may include providing warmth and shelter. But needs are dynamic! One family may need a blanket, another may need food. Direct cash payments are used sometimes - so the family can buy what they "need". If cash is too risky, vouchers are used. If merchants try to rise prices, World Vision contracts with select merchants to keep fair prices. But most often the merchants business has been destroyed as well and they are also trying to rebuild their communities and charging fair prices.

 

Lindsay told us that World Vision assisted in 170 crises  this year. In 2017 86 cents on the dollar of funds raised was spent as direct aid. 

 

Thanks, Lindsay, for visiting us with your understanding and message.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy Penny, Burlington Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow, is presenting our club with a Bronze Award certificate for giving to Shelter Box.

 

 

Shelter Box is a charity supported by Rotary to dispatch aid relief (literally shelters in a box) around the world (including Canada if the need arises) at a moments notice. https://www.shelterboxcanada.org/about-shelterbox-canada/

Simultaneously  our Mike Cobb,  International Service Director and club President Dave King are presenting Nancy with a cheque for $2,500 to drive us to the Silver level of giving.

 

Nancy explained to us that, while she is personally not the person to visit international disaster sites , she believes strongly in this humanitarian aid and gives back by volunteering to drive to Rotary Clubs across Ontario to showcase "what's inside"  the Shelter Box.

 

The Shelter  Box contains a tent, blankets, steel cook ware, utensils, solar lights, a shovel, basic tools and water purification sufficient to house a family of 5-8 people. A family can be warm, dry and supply the most basic needs while they rebuild their lives.