Escondido Sunrise Rotary; Meeting to Serve our Community in Person
and “Jehan Surf from Sunser Maya”
February 8, 2024
As we all try to conduct our professional pursuits in new ways, it’s appropriate to remind ourselves of who we are as a Serving Organization… Our accomplishments, our fellowship and the reminder of our many successes is valuable as we seek new opportunities to serve…
We met again in person at the Chamber of Commerce… Great to enjoy the fellowship again and see all your smiling faces…
As a Club, we honored our nation with a salute to our Flag led by Kendra Koed and an invocation was offered by past President Jack Anderson….
Guests & Visitors:
Jehan Surf – Sunser Maya (Speaker)
Al Owens
Tasha & Macy Schultz (daughters of Doug)
Special Occasions:
Happy Birthday to:
Mark Quick – 2/10
Chris Leso – 2/10
Happy Wedding Anniversary to:
Judy & Tom Fitzgerald 124 years on 2/14 according to Club Runner!! Amazing and congratulations to you two!!!
Happy Rotary Anniversary to:
No Rotary Anniversaries
High 5 and Announcements:
Al Owens was visiting to invite our club to join his club (The After 5 Rotary Club) to their annual fundraiser for P.A.L. and the Cadet Program (led by our very own Chris Leso) which will be held on 5/18 at Vintana. Their goal is for 200 guests and they are half way there. The cost is $100 per plate and a donation was made on their behalf from ESR.
Rich Aeling updated us all about what the club is doing this year to help those in our community, here are just a few items mentioned:
Boys & Girls Club - $1500
Valley Center Stampede - $1000
Rotary of S.E. San Diego for the flood victims from the recent rains
Mexicali (upcoming trip in March)
Scholarships for students in the Escondido School District
Tunnels To Towers (President Mark’s charity pick)
Travis Catania no longer has a red badge, he was presented with his blue badge this morning, congratulations Travis and we are so happy you are a member of the best rotary club around!!
Past President Jeff Johnson officially confirmed the date of our annual Grape Day 5k on Saturday, 9/14
Girl Scout cookies are here!!
Tasha & Macy Schultz presented us with an opportunity to buy girl scout cookies again this, thank you girls!!
Past President Rich Aeling announced the arrival of yet another grandchild, a boy this time!!! Parker Dylan Knapp, born on 2/6 in Tennessee, congratulations to the Aeling and Knapp families!!
He also shared how the Love Escondido clean up went. There was a great turnout which made Escondido shine a bit better, thank you to all who came out to work!!
Incoming President Dave Luevanos attended the PETS training for the incoming presidents for Rotary. He returned with some fun stuff for President Mark. Kevin Svetich asked the all-important question: “What is the definition of Rotary?” Dave replied “An organization that makes a vital impact in our community”
Rotarians Having Fun…..
Past President Jeff Johnson had a fun time on the snow in Big Bear over the weekend
Program:
For Jehen, it all began when working as travelling editor, she was laid off during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Taking some time way, she found herself in Nepal serving and helping for a few weeks. During that two week, Jehen fell in love with the people. With the support of her
husband (of only 4 months), Jehen to committed to staying in Nepal for a full year.
Since then, Jehen Seirafi, cofounder and director of Sunsar Maya has been helping those in need in Nepal, specifically, women and children.
Sunsar Maya’s mission is to help vulnerable women and children in Nepal build pathways out of poverty, through holistic, community-based programs that promote education, mental health,
and physical well-being. The need in Nepal is great. Its geography, political unrest, and high patriarchal society leave women and children under resourced and exposed to the nightmares of trafficking
Sunsar Maya’s Mission has 3 areas of service:
1. SuMa After school is a program that provide impoverished children with a nutritious
meal, medical care, mental health support, and STEM focused educational enrichment.
This program fosters creative and critical thinking, empowering the students with a
foundation of future learning.
2. SuMa Literacy is a program provides women with the tools they need live better lives.
From learning numbers and life skills to better health and living better lives that breaks
the cycle of poverty
3. SuMa Teacher training bring education to remote areas of Nepal and emergency aid.
Highlights
- After school program serves 270 students
o 12,290 meals served
o 442 Medical check ups
o 193 Dental check ups
o 244 kits of warm clothing, hats, gloves, and shoes.
- Women’s Literacy programs serves 100 women
o 57,630 hours of experiential learning
o 218 Medical check ups
o 109 Dental check ups
Real life stories
- Manisha - A 12-year-old girl who was one of Sunsar Maya’s first students who received services and a safe place to learn and grow. Manisha has sense graduated high school and is attending college. Additionally, Manisha has returned to Sunsar Maya as a
teacher. Upon completing her college education, Manisha plans to return to her native community and serve as a teacher.
These student stories demonstrate the good work Sunsar Maya is doing to make an uncommon story common.
Opportunity Drawing:
We have $134 in the pot and Rich unfortunately didn’t pick the joker but Jim Ponder went to lunch with $10
Next Week’s Meeting:
Closing: President Mark Maus announced that we will be meeting again next week on Thursday the 15th at 7:30am and we will be hearing from Erin Hubbard with First Responders. See you at The Escondido Chamber of Commerce on Thursday!!
Thanks for Attending Today’s Meeting….
Support for our Escondido Community …
Our great community and the success of its businesses is all of our responsibilities… Support the businesses that are doing all they can to survive this trying economy…….
The ‘Giving Arch’ on Grand Avenue and Centre City Parkway reminds us that Escondido is a caring, giving community…
To all; be safe and be well…. God Bless those men and women that carry the load at our medical facilities, and God Bless our first responders… May our governmental leaders be wise, thoughtful and smart as they navigate these times that have been difficult…..
The meetings will be technically managed by Past President Richard Agnew… Thanks for that Richard… And, Richard is prepared to support all of our attempts at joining the on-line meetings if needed….
SEE YOU SOON…… In Person … Next meeting; February 15th, at 7:30 AM
Check President Mark’s email for the reminder…
