UPKEEP of strong family culture, water projects, medical outreaches, renewed efforts to rid the world of polio and other humanitarian projects are just a few of the plans the newly- inducted President of the New Amsterdam Rotary club Rafeek Kassim intends to execute.

Kassim, a civil engineer and contractor by profession will serve for the period 2018-2019. The Rotary Club is one of the world’s oldest non-government/non-profit organisations.
Kassim became the 32nd president of the New Amsterdam Chapter and was installed two Saturdays ago at Number 2 village, East Canje Berbice.

The ceremony also saw the installation of a new board that will take up the mantle from the past President Ramroop ‘Danzie’ Rajnauth and his board as the club seeks to continue the efforts of their 1.2 million members worldwide to make the world a better place by
effecting sustainable change one village at a time.

The club which was established in New Amsterdam since 1987 received the Rotary International’s Presidential citation this year for their exemplary efforts, including their Public Schools Pure Water Initiative.

During his address, Kassim, the youngest president of the club, committed to continue from where his predecessor has left off and pledges to infuse youth mixed with experience to ensure that the club continues to grow.

He spoke at length about the family values the club promotes which is a fast declining quality in today’s society and assured his fellow Rotarians that he intends to execute projects aimed at promoting strong family culture.

In addition, the club which boasts several water projects will seek to execute another major sustainable one in collaboration with the Corriverton Chapter.

However, the signature project that Kassim and his board intend to execute is the extension of the Cumberland Health Centre’s waiting area.

“The health centre was constructed since 1940 and catered for only a few persons but the population in the community has grown as the centre continues to service their needs and the area is now inadequate. So we will extend the waiting area to accommodate the increase,” he stated.

Earlier, Assistant Governor Luana Falconer charged the new president and his board to “Be the Inspiration” in keeping with Rotary International’s theme for the New Year.

“To President Rafeek and his incoming board, you will have the responsibility to build on the work of those who have gone before you to build on the solid foundation that has been set for the club and strengthen it for the work yet  to come; to the wider membership,
support your board so that together you can be the inspiration, change the lives of as many people as possible and in the most significant and lasting ways; ensure that rotary continues to provide the best possible experience to its members, ensure that your club continues to grow and be useful to the world and never cease believing in the
goodness of the world and in Rotary to help goodness shine through,” she said.

The Assistant Governor also charged the Rotarians to inspire and motivate their members to reach their full potential.

The Rotary Club of New Amsterdam will continue in its efforts to promote peace, fight to help eradicate polio, provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene and support education and community development.

The Board of Directors for 2018-2019 are Immediate Past President Ramroop Rajnauth, President-elect Nolan France, Vice President David Armogan, Secretary Rohan Marray, Treasurer Jerry Outar, Director (Club Administration) Kester Persaud, Director (Service Projects) Roger Greenidge, Director (Membership) Nolan France, Director (Foundation) Tajpaul Adjodhea, Director (New Generation Services) Chris Hicks and Public
Relations Officer Chandra Sohan.