Bill Gray introduced our speaker Haran. He and his wife Ahsha and friend Niranjan were classmates 40 years ago. From Sri Lanka, now living in Australia, they have been traveling across Canada. Haran began his relationship with Rotary in 1983 as a member of Interact. He left Sri Lanka because of the conflicts in the country, and moved to Australia. Joining Rotaract, he was president of his club three times. He is a Rotarian and very immersed in the organization. He has been part of over 60 Global Grants. Haran and Ahsha enjoy travel, and he is vice president of the Rotary Fellowship for Travel and Hospitality
Haran has first hand experience with the many givers in Rotary. Rotarians played a significant role in his recovery from severe burns that required months in hospital, and more months of follow up.
When he had recovered he became involved in a Global Grant project, the Zinkapalem Irrigation Project. This got him to move out of his comfort zone. This changed his outlook on Rotary and expanded his personal experience, discovering that Rotary is much more than fellowship and friendships.
Haran described several projects that have taken place in Sri Lanka, and all are health and medical projects. He is now working on one to empower a surgical unit to save lives (GG2237550). He is raising funds through the diaspora in communities in Australia and elsewhere.
John Gale thanked Haran for telling us about his transition in Rotary from fellowship to service. Members of our club have seen first hand the importance of personal connections in finding the financial resources needed. During our recent Friendship Exchange, some of our members visited projects in India. This is what puts the international into Rotary International.
You can see Haran's entire presentation at;
