District 3272 – Pakistan & Afghanistan

Responding the Rotary International’s emphasis on Microcredit / Microfinance, Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty has formed a Microcredit Fund.

When I met Dr Ali Raza through a common friend the agenda was very different, yet very similar: Philanthropy. He was unfamiliar with Rotary, All he knew was about my Ali Free Clinic project. But as we continued to meet and I became more and more aware of his passion for philanthropy, I was amazed by the fact that he had been running a a microcredit project in association with some of his likeminded friends for several years. And, to my utter surprise there was only one default case in all those years.

To me he was a perfect case for being invited to Rotary. And to be requested to help build our microcredit program. Rest, as they say, is history,… in the making!

Rotary District 3270 is putting alot of energies into mobilizing microcredit in this region and has assembled 15 clubs across the districtto lead the initiative. We are proud to be the 16th in that list!

Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty is proud to have two new Paul Harris Fellows, its Charter President, Rtn. Noor ul Hasan and Past President Rtn. Aslam Alam.

Speaking to me. Rtn. Noor ul Hasan expressed exictement while he awaits the arrival of the official Paul Harris medallion and lapel pin.

The District Conference of Rotary District 3270 successfully concluded yesterday here in Lahore. The concluding session witnessed some emotional moments by both the sitting District Governor as well as the incoming nominees.

Discon 2009 had participation from a record number of 146 clubs. Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty had the honour to handle the Registration Desks of the conference where over 600 registrations were processed in a smooth and friendly manner. The desk was run by a team of club members and student volunteers. This occasion gave them a first hand opportunity to witness what a great organisation Rotary is, and several of them agreed to work for Rotary in future.

Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty has a special preference for health and hunger projects. The club has done several hand pump projects in the past and therefore we were again looking for locations to install more hand pumps. In this regard, President Raza Jaffri approached DG Saeed Shamsi and requested him if he could introduce us to clubs in remote locations who need financial assistance and would be interested in collaborating with us on hand pump projects.

A week after discussing this with DG Saeed Shamsi, he introduced Rotary Club of Pir Jhando to us. They were looking for assistance in installing 10 hand pumps and had approached the DG for support. This seemed more like a devine intervention!

Rotary Club of Lahore Liberty and Rotary Club of Pir Jhando have joined hands on this project and will install hand pumps in and around Pir Jhando, about 20 minutes drive from Hala, Sindh.

The Rotary clubs from Lahore are getting into motion for the preparation of the Rotary calendar’s most important event at district level: The District Conference. Under the leadership of Dr. Mansoor ul Haq, the first preparatory meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 27th, 2008. All Presidents and Secretaries of Rotary Clubs in Lahore alongwith other important office bearers of the disctrict are expected to attend this event.