The contribution made by Rotarians to build some eleven houses to accommodate the World Health Organisation (WHO) trained anti-malarial workers has likewise been of great benefit. It is pleasing to note that the project in Western Provinces and Choiseul Island is now self sustaining and administered by the Solomon Island's Malarial Control Unit.

The current effort is now centered on Guadacanal (population 130,000 approx, half of whom live in and around Honiara, the capital). The incidence of malaria in Guadacanal is particularly high and generally well in excess of 300 cases per 1,000 people.

The immediate objective now is to get all people in Guadacanal under long life chemically impregnated bed nets. The long life nets (LLN's) will last 5 years without the need for yearly chemical re-impregnation as was the case with the earlier nets.

In PNG LLN's have been distributed to some 28 out of 86 Districts in PNG. The total population of PNG is 5.3million approx. The objective is to cover some 40 Districts by 2010. In PNG much of the anti- malaria funding is provided by the Global Health Fund, but Rotary is working in partnership with the WHO and PNG Department of Health to ensure the effectiveness of this program. Ron Seddon of the Rotary of Port Moresby who has been leading the abti-malarial campaign testifies to the noticeable improvements in health and well being in the Districts where the program has been implemented. One major hospital in the Southern PNG now has unused beds and it is the first time anyone can recall that the hospital has not been filled to capacity and beyond.

The "Adopt a Village" programs in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea are being professionally administered and are achieving beneficial results for the local people. They are extremely worthwhile projects and your Club is invited to continue its support in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
As mentioned in the flyer which accompanies the letter (to be posted along with sending this email);
  $1,000.00 will adopt a small village,
  $2,000.00 will adopt and medium village,
  $3,000.00 will adopt and large village.

This applies equally to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Cheques should  be made payable to Rotary Overseas Aid Fund(RAM) and forwarded to Michael Morrison, at 43 Mathoura Road, Toorak, Vic, 3142. I will then on forward the cheques to PDG Richmond Manyweathers who co-ordinates and directs the payments and is the initial recipient of the Certificates of Appreciation forwarded from PNG or the Solomon Islands as applicable. Both Roger Fasken (District9800 RAWCS RAM Committee) will be pleased to provide any further information Clubs may require. The contact details for Roger and myself are set out below.