Introduction of Guest Speaker: Ross Kirwin
David Knoppert is a retired Neonatal Pharmacist from London, Ontario. He has been a Rotarian since 2014 and was president of the Rotary Club of London Hyde Park in 2017-2018. He is active in the group COMMIT and is an avid fundraiser, currently riding virtually across Canada to raise funds and awareness for the people of Nicaragua.
Guest Speaker David Knoppert gave the floor first to his colleague, Doug Thompson. Doug is a member of the Rotary Club of Stratford, Ontario. He spoke about the importance of international work and his outreach work in rural Nicaragua. COMMIT started about eight years ago. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Central America, but they have been able to establish a presence there. They focus on medical clinics, clean water & sanitation, education & social support, sustainable agriculture, container shipments, Covid relief, hurricane relief and a stove project.
Doug encouraged our club to keep active in international projects and for members to engage in overseas ventures.
David Knoppert: His focus today was on their Stove Project. He showed pictures of how people in Nicaragua cook, using concrete blocks and open flames, which is dangerous. In the world, more than three billion people still cook with solid fuels without proper ventilation causing burns, illness and death.
The COMMIT group started a pilot project to develop a new type of stove that is enclosed with ventilation to the outside. These stoves will be produced locally. Half of the population of Nicaragua lives in the country, and one-third of the people live in severe poverty. The benefits of these stoves provide more safety, more efficiency, reduction in gashouse gases, and they offer a healthier atmosphere. Also, some NGOs are obtaining carbon credits for this method, which will pay for the stoves going forward. They want to install 250 stoves and hope to obtain a Global Grant for $ 25,000. They are working in three villages in conjunction with a Reforestation Project.
David plans to ride his stationary bicycle 7,670 km as if he was riding across Canada; so far, he has ridden 4,520 km. He is asking for pledges of 1 cent per kilometer. One stove equals two sponsors at a one cent donation per kilometer. With the Global Grant, one stove becomes three stoves. David also invited members to travel to Nicaragua with him on his next trip, probably January 2022.
Donate by Cheque: Make cheque payable to “Stratford Rotary Club Charitable Foundation” and add COMMIT STOVES on the cheque. Mail to: David Knoppert, 527 Chiddington Ave., London, On. N6C 2W4
Questions:
Bill S: Do you feel safe in Nicaragua? Mostly yes.
Rob: Is there a web site for donating? David will send the information. Donations can be by e-transfer or cheque.
Tim: As a dictatorship in Nicaragua, is there a problem with theft of supplies? Their container with supplies is not being released from customs. They feel safe from crime; they have collaborated with local authorities.
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