Looking back at May 2016, Rotaract had some interesting events:
On 21 May the volunteers visited a school to mingle with kids with hearing disabilities. Pictures again talk for themselves!

On 23 May in the Smokeyard we had Ian Curtiss, a past Rotaract president who spent some time working with Amcham in Beijing and who is returning to the USA.
He gave us a very personal and motivating talk about his personal experiences. Ian we will miss you!
We also got a souvenir from an earlier Rotaract meeting in 2013, at the time in The Local, also showing Ian and many who have left us since then.

If you were there, see our lovely memories!

Yes, too bad if you missed, the coolest young people of Beijing coming together (over 100) on Saturday 25 June for the Charity Gala Event, in the Vivid Bar, on the rooftop of the Conrad hotel. We were lucky with the weather, after a scorching day it cooled down a bit and no rain!
It was a PARTY FOR A CAUSE to enjoy finger food, free flow drinks (Belgian beer from Vandergeeten, red and white wines from CHEERS, soft drinks and more). It was an an evening of fun with two live DJ’s, raffle drawings, sales of special T-shirts and a Masquerade party!
Proceeds are going to Morning Tears and MCF (Migrant Children Foundation).

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It was a blast! See the pics, the beautiful girls and ladies, and the handsome boys! (yeah and some “mature” people from the Beijing Rotary Club.
It was sponsored by Vandergeeten, Cheers, Vivid Bar, UPLI (fitness), Beijing Victory Advertising; prizes from Beer Mania, The Tree, Morel’s Restaurant, Hilton Hotel, Frederic, myself and others.

It was hosted by Rotaract Beijing West  and Rotaract Club of Beijing, all did a great job, after weeks of intense preparation it was a success and people already as “When is the next one?”. So, no names here to mention as it was a real team work of many enthusiastic young people.

On 8 June Morning Tears, a well-known Belgian NGO gave an update on their operations in China. Location: Hilton Hotel (also their sponsor).

Morning Tears was born in China. From 1998 it has been working for children whose parents are in prison or have been executed. It now has operations in other countries such as Cambodia.
Children are innocent to the crimes of their parents but often lose everything when their parents are sent to prison. From one day to another they can lose their home and school. In many developing countries the streets become their only option to survive. The risk to become a victim of physical, sexual, mental abuse or forced labor increases substantially. In the own community they often no longer find acceptance and  their friends don’t want to play with them. Family is often no longer family because the children remind them of what happened, give the family a bad reputation or are considered to bring bad luck.
Their website: http://morningtears.org/

Koen Sevenants gave an overview of what was achieved in the past ten years and introduced the setup of Morning Tears China (in Zhengzhou), the new independent Chinese entity that will carry out the ideas of and spirit of Morning Tears.

Morning Tears China gave an overview on how they will continue their important work, as explained in some of their slides shown here.
Our Rotaractor Gau (Rotaract Beijing West Club) presented her plans to work with Moring Tears for their Summer Camp.
The Beijing Rotary Club has been working with Morning Tears in the past.

Thierry of Beer Mania handed over the proceeds he collected for Morning Tears, through an event he did in his well-known Belgian Café.

On 2 June a big day for our new Rotaract Beijing West Club! The gala was held in the Fairmont Hotel, joined by Rotary Club President Daniel and myself.

The new team for the club was introduced and the members all received their pin and certificate.

The club has its directors from all over the world: President Kien (Guyana), Vice President Gaukhar (Kazakhstan), Secretary Aura (Romania), Treasurer Lavinia (Romania), Director External Relations Coordinator Bryce (USA), Director Brand and Marketing Abhijan (India), Director Media Technology Brennan (USA)

If you want to know why I love my “job” as Rotaract Liaison, well the pictures tell the story! Don’t be jealous!

On 31 May we had I guess our lowest attendance ever: 3 Rotarians (Chris V., René and myself), supported by one Rotaractor, Chris R.
It was kind of strange but it turned out to be a fun lunch with one table only at the Kempinski. All participants introduced themselves, including their background, giving us an insight we rarely have.

For me the task of Sergeant-at-Arms was really easy as a result. And I was happily surprised to find two visiting Rotarians from Indianapolis, one being pretty not too far from where my daughter lives (Carmel): Fishers. Maybe next time I can try, though they meet 7:00 am…