Polio was recently confirmed in Syria, a country that has been free of this disabling and potentially fatal disease since 1999. In response, health authorities in Syria and neighboring countries have launched urgent, large-scale, multi-country immunization campaigns to ensure that every child is reached with the polio vaccine.
Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are working together with local health authorities to activate the outbreak response.
In the wake of World Polio Day, these and other recent polio cases in previously polio-free countries serve as a stark reminder that as long as polio still exists, unimmunized children everywhere remain at risk.
Rotarians, as leaders from all continents, cultures and occupations, have been active throughout the region to raise awareness and build support in the fight to end polio.
Following confirmation of polio in Syria, health ministers of the Eastern Mediterranean declared the circulation of poliovirus in the Region an ‘emergency’ for all Member States at its Regional Committee meeting in Oman last week. It called on Pakistan to take necessary steps to ensure all children were accessed and vaccinated and requested Syria and adjoining countries to coordinate intensified mass vaccination campaigns. More on the Regional Committee meeting.
The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE) is meeting this week in Geneva, Switzerland. Among other topics, the SAGE reviewed the latest global polio epidemiology, strategies for accelerating polio eradication and plans for IPV introduction.
Following reports of a cluster of 22 acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases on 17 October 2013 in the Syrian Arab Republic, wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) has been isolated from ten of the cases under investigation. Final genetic sequencing results are pending to determine the origin of the isolated viruses. WPV had not been detected in Syria since 1999. Most of the cases are very young (aged <2 years), and were un- or under-immunized. Estimated immunization rates in Syria declined from 91% in 2010 to 68% in 2012. Even before this laboratory confirmation, health authorities in Syria and neighbouring countries had begun the planning and implementation of a comprehensive outbreak response. On 24 October, an already-planned large-scale supplementary immunization activity (SIA) was launched in Syria to vaccinate 1.6 million children against polio, measles, mumps and rubella, in both government-controlled and contested areas. Implementation of an SIA in Deir Al Zour province promptly commenced when the first ‘hot cases’ had been reported. Larger-scale outbreak response across Syria and neighbouring countries is anticipated to begin in early November, to last for at least six to eight months depending on the area and based on evolving epidemiology. Given the current situation in Syria, frequent population movements across the region and subnational immunity gaps in key areas, the risk of further international spread of WPV1 across the region is considered to be high. A surveillance alert has been issued for the region to actively search for additional potential cases. WHO’s International Travel and Health recommends that all travelers to and from polio-infected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. - See more at: http://www.polioeradication.org/tabid/488/iid/328/Default.aspx#sthash.qAJAev4h.dpuf
Student Name: Helen Galliani
Date: November 6 ( I'm so late...lo siento)
Hosted by Rotary Club of Winnetka/ Northfield
Youth Exchange Officer’s Name: Terry Schwartz
Current Host Family: Familia de Reyes Flores
Street Address: Los Pingüinos S1- 132 & Cisnes
City & Zip: San Rafael, Quito
Home Phone 5930984696602
Host Family Email: paulreyeso@hotmail.com
Your Email Address: hgal21@gmail.com
Host Brothers & Sisters (names and ages); Paul Santiago -- 24
Next Host Family: don't know
Street Address:
City & Zip Home Phone
Date of anticipated move to next family: February 1
1. Tell us about your activities such as presentations given, social events attended, places of interest that you visited, conferences you attended, community projects, and any interviews given over TV, radio, or newspapers.
I have done so many amazing things since I've been here. I've gone on two rotary trips, both to the coast with all the exchange students in Ecuador. Tons of fun. I've gone to the beach with my family once, and I went to the jungle with my counselor and his family last weekend which was amazing. We stayed at a bird sanctuary that he owns and I saw countless birds I had never seen before in my life like Toucans and many species of Parrot and Hummingbird. I've been to hot springs, the second tallest volcano in the world, I've climbed a 4700 m mountain, I visited many of the surrounding cities of Quito as well as spent lots of time in the actual city of Quito. So many things I haven't mentioned, but life is very cool here. Some of my favorite things I do are simply walking around in my neighborhood or going to the bountiful markets close to my home.
2. What subjects are you studying at school? (If no change from last report, state so)
3. Tell us about how well you can speak and read your host country language now. Do you have a tutor?
I've learned so much since I've been here, but my spanish is still bad considering I came here knowing nothing. It's also frustrating because most of the people in my school speak English... Often I feel I'm not learning as fast as I should. I am in spanish classes twice a week for two hours, and during school I normally just work on my spanish all day. I'll get the hang of it eventually. Currently I talk with my family basically always in spanish, which has been a pretty gratifying accomplishment for me.
4. In what groups/activities do you participate in school? After school?
I joined the girls soccer team at my school and we practice/ have games twice a week, I have spanish classes, I'm in salsa/bachata/meringue three times a week, and I also joined the gym by my house so I go there whenever I have time and workout/ take classes. I also play volleyball on my dad's informal team. Currently I'm also participating in and helping to choreograph a dance at my school for a festival we are having in Saturday, so I spend a lot of time with that. I stay really busy.
5. Relationships (describe how things are going using more than 1 word)
Your host family; my dad is great and takes the role of my mom, host mom works a lot we don't talk much, usually only when she is telling me to do something or scolding me. However, I am well taken care of so I can't complain. Don't see my host brother much because he lives in Quito during the week and comes home on weekends but I am often gone on weekends.
Your host Rotary YEO; He's really nice I like him, his name is Juan. He took me to the jungle last weekend. His son is in my class at school and we are friends so I'm at his house a lot.
Your host Rotary Club; They are fine, we don't interact much. I've been to two meetings and a couple of volunteer projects the first few weeks I was here.
Your schoolwork; since I graduated from high school and school doesn't matter for me here, I don't do much. In class I normally work on spanish games, workbooks, talk with friends, or do things like this (I am in class right now hahah)
Your school classmates; They are great include me in everything and I hang out with them on the weekends but many are very immature. As my spanish improves, my friendships improve.
The other RYE students; love them, can't get enough of them. I'm lucky that I live in Quito because the largest population of exchange students are here--about 50. I love hanging out with them all and I also have great friends just in my host club.
6. Tell us about any difficulties or problems that you are having. Don’t hesitate to also tell us about the good things as well. Please include any comments, suggestions, requests, or complaints that you may wish to share with us.
My biggest frustration is, understandably, spanish. I want to learn SO BADLY!!! I feel like as soon as I become conversational in spanish, I will feel at home here. My host family can also be disappointing at times, because my host mom is not that kind. However, I am still very happy where I am because my host dad is great and I also have a really amazing aunt who is kind of like my mom. Overall, however, I feel so lucky to be here and am very happy. As frustrating and emotional my life can be at times, this has already been the most gratifying and exciting 2 months of my life. Every day is an adventure, and I love it that way.
Please find a substitute if you are unable to fulfill your assignment; Just call or e-mail a fellow member and ask him/her to sub. Tom Evans - tom.evans527@gmail.com- who chairs the service committee, will confirm assignments. Sgt. at arms helps set up and store our stuff, please come 15 minutes early and be prepared to stay a few minutes after the meeting; Greeter greets and announces names of visiting Rotarians and guests; Thought of the Day can be spontaneous or read from a script; Dig 'n Grin can make us laugh or think seriously.
Our Club's Charitable Foundation is now accepting applications for funding for the 2013-14 funding year. Applications are due by November 30, with grants to be awarded in March, 2014. Our Foundation typically funds about 15 organizations, both local and international. Applicants are required to have a club member as a sponsor of their organization. This person can be a board member, volunteer or donor to the organization. Grants are typically $500-2,000. A list of last year's recipients is below.
Any questions? Email Patti Van Cleave, Foundation Chair at vancleave.patti@gmail.com
The application can be found under the Foundation tab, click on Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation, it's in the left panel. Or click here to view the applicaion now.
Once again, our club will provide brand new winter coats to hundreds of children living in need in the City of Chicago and Northern suburbs. Coats will be provided to children served by six area organizations:
Each of these organizations is supported by members of our club. Your contribution will allow us to increase the number of children who receive a new winter coat so they will be happy and able to attend school on Chicago's cold winter days. Coats will be acquired at wholesale pricing ($17 per coat) from Operation Warm, a Rotarian founded non-profit that provides over 200,000 children with new coats each year.
Please donate generously. All donations are made to the Winnetka Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charity, and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Click to donate or send check to 620 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka IL 60093.
