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A video of the camp can be seen here.

Founder and CEO Tom Henderson said: “The devastation in Haiti has moved everyone here. We now have our boxes on the ground and it’s a privilege to help. The scale of devastation is huge. By the sheer grit and determination of our staff and volunteers we have been able to respond in record time. Our thanks go to the teams of volunteers, as well as to our donors, who have allowed us to do this. ShelterBox relies entirely on public donations and people’s generosity. We receive no institutional funding.” 

ShelterBox will continue to respond to the crisis in Haiti until the job is done while at the same time rebuilding stock levels to have the capacity to immediately respond to the next disaster that strikes.


Aquaboxes

This project provides Single Box kits to support whole families in disaster zones. With all the recent disasters there is be a crying need for Rotary to rebuild its stock of Aqua boxes. Thanks to the generosity of many members of the Club, the provision of 5 boxes has been organised.

The Aquabox comprises three simple components, a rigid re-inforced 75 litre plastic container, a re-useable carbon activated filter and dispensing tap. The container is filled with whatever water can be found locally and is initially strained manually through muslin to remove solid detritus. A single 10 gram purification tablet is then added. After two hours water may be drawn through the filter and tap. In addition the Boxes are filled with additional welfare items at the discretion of the donor.

Again, the value of these boxes has been shown, in the seven weeks following the earthquake in Haiti 1558 boxes have been shipped providing medium to long term aid to families.



LifeBoxes 

These were previously known as Emergency Boxes. The LifeBox is filled with 72 items of tools, clothes, blankets, babycare/hygiene items, toys and classroom materials and is available for both hot and cold climates with the contents lists specifically tailored by the Red Cross, each box providing vital aid for adults and children.

Also contained in the Boxes are LifeStraws.  LifeStraw is a portable water purification tool that cleanses surface water and makes it safe for human consumption. It is just 25 cm long and 29 mm in diameter and can be hung around the neck. LifeStraw requires no electrical power or spare parts. The life expectancy of a single straw can be up to one year from the start of usage (calculation based on the WHO estimate of typical adult consumption of 2 litres water per day) and so provides immediate aid and long term benefit.

As before, the value of these boxes has been shown in the seven weeks following the earthquake in Haiti 159 LifeBoxes and 900 LifeStraws have been shipped providing medium to long term aid to families.
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Vision Aid Overseas

Vision Aid Overseas collects and refurbishes spectacles for use in third-world Countries. This enables kids and adults to have vision again. Our spectacle collection for the project continues to thrive; we are now aiming to collect, with the help of our local colleagues 100,000 pairs.
 
The used spectacles are forwarded to Vision Aid who arrange for their refurbishment and recalibration.  Then, after sight testing by volunteer optometrists from the UK and Ireland, they are dispatched to a wide range of countries in Africa, India and Asia. (back to top)

Jaipur Limbs Project

The Rotary Jaipur Limb Project (RJLP) is a pro-active fund-raising and project-initiating body of Rotarians, drawn from all over RIBI. It was formed in 1985 (becoming a registered charity in 1995). As such this year it is celebrating 25 years of service.

The Jaipur Limb is an artificial leg, developed at the Mahaveer hospital in Jaipur, India. The unique component is the Jaipur foot, a clever combination of wood and various densities of rubber vulcanised into a realistic looking brown foot. It is hard-wearing and will last for three or four years, longer if worn with a shoe. One of the major differences between the Jaipur technology and western technology is the cost - whereas a western limb will cost between £1,000.00 and £2,000.00, a Jaipur limb can be made and fitted for as little as £25.00.

Last year PP Marnette Lyons, while in India, had the opportunity to visit the Limb Centre in Jaipur (Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti) (BMVSS).  

She says: "A few years after becoming a Rotarian I attended a District Meeting at which PDG Gussie Hynes, trustee of Rotary Jaipur Limb Trust Project, made a presentation on the Rotary Jaipur Limb Project and passed around a Jaipur Limb. It was a very moving presentation and one which I am sure all who were present still remember.

However, a visit to the Limb Centre was my priority and five others in my group were also keen to see it. After asking directions from some locals and looking at maps we had a general idea where the Limb Centre was located and so we set out to find it. Eventually, we reached a small building off the main thoroughfare. On arrival we noticed people, in a covered way, sitting on benches and on the ground waiting. Meanwhile a tall distinguished looking gentleman, who was busy checking reports, immediately spotted and greeted us with a warm smile and the words, “You must be Rotarians”. Introductions soon made us aware that the gentleman was D.R.Mehta the founder and chief patron of Jaipur Foot. Following a car accident in which he broke several bones in his leg and faced the possible prospect of amputation Mr Mehta, whose profession was in law and administration, became aware of the plight of millions of poor people unable to cope with life and in need of prosthetic limbs. He observed the degrading way in which these poor, staving and desperate people, crippled or without limbs, were treated and he knew it must change.

We were told that most patients arrive unannounced, starved and penniless with nowhere to stay. Every patient is treated with dignity and is registered upon arrival no matter what time of day or night. Patients are provided with food, assessed, treated and given accommodation while their limb is being made. The entire service is provided free." 

Marnette's full report Not Just a Limb - The Japur Limb Centre can be found here. 

Mr.D.R.Mehta	With 2 new limbs this patient goes home walking

                           

A polio patient is given a hand pedal tricycle

                                              
An excerpt from her visit report has been printed in the Spring Newsletter of the RJLP (seen here). The Newsletter also contains reports of the work of RJLP - including the development of the Jaipur Knee.
 
Recently students at The Stanford University in California USA in conjunction with the Jaipur foot people have developed a new knee joint named The Jaipur Knee. This self-lubricating oil-filled nylon joint mimics the movements of the natural joint's movements and is flexible enough to let the wearer walk on rough terrain.

The cost of production of this new knee was a fundamental feature of the design specification. The outcome of that is a cost of just US$20 which matches current cost criteria very well.

Over 500 of these joints have so far been fitted at the BMVSS centre in Jaipur. There has been excellent results from the development and the hope now, is for more training to extend the use.

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