In 2002, my Father George T Qua invited and sponsored me to enter into the world of Rotary. George was a 2nd generation Rotarian making me a 3rd generation Rotarian and Paul Harris Recognized.

One of Rotary's main objectives is to eradicate polio. One of the greatest achievements was the creation of the Sabine Vaccine, (there are (2) Salk and Sabine). Because it is a live vaccine and is administered orally it can be administered by anyone. Because the vaccine is live, it will multiply in the child's gut and is crapped out just like the raw polio virus itself. The vaccine once excreted can/will inoculate others in the family and community through fecal contamination in the substandard sewer systems where polio strives.

In Late 70s or early 80s, Rotary International did a Matching Grant with a Rotary Club on an island in the Philippines. This new Sabine vaccine was tested to immunize children against polio. This island with approximately 300,000 children found the Sabine vaccine stopped polio dead in its tracks.

In 1985, World Health Organization (WHO) beat a path to Rotary International's door as well as some NGOs. The challenge of polio eradication was delivered. At that time, there were more than 360,000 new cases of polio reported per year. In 2005 there were 1800. It was reported to me 05-12-06 that India had 17 cases (compared to 12 same period 05), 6 of those from Moradabad. All in U.P. and Bihar. Email me for an update.

Rotary continually performs National Immunization Days NIDs to vaccinate all children under 5 years of age in high concentrated areas. Ideally this demographic will receive the vaccine up to 8 times per year to totally immunize them against the polio virus.

In 1985, 165,000,000 children were immunized with this vaccine on one NID. Rotary continues forward to rid our world of polio and save lives.

Today polio basically exists in 4 countries. Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India.

In early January, 25 Rotarians, spouses and friends teamed up to help Rotary International with our objective of eradicating polio. This team targeted Agra India (home of Taj Mahal) as U.P. province of India has always had the highest concentration of polio.

This team of volunteers worked side by side in many of the depths of northern India to administer the polio vaccine to their children. Rotary is now answering the cry for returning the dignity and quality of life to polio victims. Rotary volunteers now make and give prosthetics, braces or calipers, wheelchairs or bikes and or corrective surgery to victims struck by polio. We participated in and witnessed the Matching Grant program spear headed by The Bareilly Rotary Club. Team leader Terry Youlton (back row, 5th from left) from Eastern Ontario Canada was instrumental in Rotary's new objective to help the polio victims.

Volunteers attempt to vaccinate all children 5 years of age and under. All day long mothers would try and have their baby vaccinated who were over 5, had already been vaccinated (hence my team mate marking the baby finger) or demand we do something for their other children already stricken with polio.

While volunteers knocked on doors to assure all children could be vaccinated, so often were we received by resistent mothers very adamant against receiving the vaccination. Their beliefs were that we from the west were trying to steralize their children (as has happened in the past) and the Sabine Sirum is high in estrogen (major component in birth control pill). Many believe that if their higher's wishes were for their baby to be stricken with this horrible disease, who are we to change that. Some female members of the team were busy as they are the only ones allowed to speak with or enter some homes if the husband was not home.

Rotary has taken on a new challenge to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate. Answering the cries from mothers to help their children already inflicted with the horrible effects from polio. Rotary continues their humanitarian missions by making prosthetics and wheelchairs as well as corrective surgery for those we can.

Prosthetics were fabricated by the NGO Jaipur Limb Camp.This limb camp was the result of a matching grant and the Bareilly Rotary Club with help from Rotary Clubs in Ontario. Their stats can be found at Jaipur Limb Camp. During our short time in Bareilly, we were able to help with fabrication & implementation of over 475 calipers (braces) 182 jaipur prosthetics plus bycles, crutches, midified shoes and food. Absolutely no costs to any receipient.

Children took instantly to their new appliances. After either crawling or being carried in, they often could run out and climb trees, always smiling with their new lease on life.

Corrective surgery for polio victims where an appliance couldn't correct was performed by Rotary volunteer doctors at no charge to either the hospital or patient.

Approximately 2% of polio victims are unlucky to have their tenents attacked by the virus rendering their limbs almost useless and lacid. Causing them to be a living anchor to their family's well being.

By the physical, economic and social rehabilitation of the physically handicapped, the victim of polio can now regain their self-respect and human dignity and become normal and useful members of their community.

In Bareilly India, new friendships were created, fellowships and partnerships were developed. A special thank you to Dr. Sukhbir Singh and his family for their care during my visit.

I have committed to a schalorship in which two students can attend the school that Dr. Singh and his family have initiated and funded where approximately 100 students attend.

During our visit to Dr. Singh's school, my team donated handfuls of practical supplies.

Because of extreme poverty conditions surrounding this area, about 1% of the local student demographic can attend this or a school. Schools are either too scarce, too expensive so the children will work with their families and never see a textbook.

What starts as fellowships again ends in friendships. Thanks to Sudhir Gupta and his wonderful family in Agra India for their care during my visit to their city.

Many methods were used to inform the population of India about NIDs. We saw banners, flags, balloons, TV commercials broadcasting Polio Plus Campaigns and NIDs. This is a newspaper cut.

We are looking for volunteers to join us on another NID in India during November 2006. Please contact me if you have even the slightest desire to join us and help eradicate polio. The value you will be adding to one's life is immeasurable.

Because international airlines allow two check in suitcases, we asked all our friends to donate old children's clothes and or an old suitcase that we can lose. We made two stops along our travels to donate these much needed items. We visited a leper colony and Mother Theresa's Orphanage.

Mother Theresa

See more photos of India in the photo album.

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