One of the weekend's speakers discussed another rotary project: Shelter Boxes. These boxes are sent as part of emergency response team when disasters occur. They include essentials such as water containers, water purification tablets, dome tent, sleeping bags, cooking pots, dishes, and eating utensils. Boxes have been used all over the world (the 2004 tsunami, Australian bush fire, Hurricane Katrina, and more). The global distribution since the project’s onset is 40,000 ShelterBoxes for 550,000 people in 6 years.
Another camp activity involved the Dunedin Emergency Response Team. The girls were divided into groups and had to run a simulated rescue. They were tasked with carrying a stretcher into the bush, finding the victim, administering first aid, and carrying the patient back out from the bush. It challenged all of us physically and put communication and teamwork skills to the test.
Below: the girls are giving me a soapy lesson on how to properly go down the slip'n'slide
Appreciating all the hard work the Emergency Response Teams do
I had the opportunity to talk with the girls in small groups about myself, Rotary, and how I was able to come to New Zealand. I especially enjoyed answering their questions about life in America which ranged from food, to movie stars, to politics. The weekend was not all discussions: we spent time playing teamwork games and even made a giant ‘slip’n’slide.’ It was a great, exhausting weekend- thank you to St. Kilda’s Rotary Club for the invitation and all your hard work! And thanks to the girls of Queen’s School!
