DG Margaret said that while the new normal at present includes things like the ever-present tremors and sights of damage, where traffic jams are a new experience due to the damage to the roads with occasional new damage occuring from the aftershocks, where schools are sharing sites and being able to flush the toilet is becoming a renewed experience although for many that day has yet to arrive. Despite this, the lovely thing is that people now ask how you are and actually stop and listen ... there is a new sense of caring and community throughout the city.Sunday, 8 May 2011
Trying to move towards a new normal
DG Margaret spoke to a packed District 9940 conference in Hamilton on the weekend of 6-7 May about the amazing progress of the Rotary response to Christchurch. She expressed gratitude that Christchurch and the Rotarians there had experienced the very essence of Rotary through the amazing support from the Family of Rotary throughout the world. Now, three months on from the earthquake, they are trying to move to a new normal and bring clarity out of the chaos as they move to look after the needs of the community.
DG Margaret said that while the new normal at present includes things like the ever-present tremors and sights of damage, where traffic jams are a new experience due to the damage to the roads with occasional new damage occuring from the aftershocks, where schools are sharing sites and being able to flush the toilet is becoming a renewed experience although for many that day has yet to arrive. Despite this, the lovely thing is that people now ask how you are and actually stop and listen ... there is a new sense of caring and community throughout the city.
The Rotary Christchurch earthquake fund has raised $1.4 million so far which far exceeds what was ever expected and a robust structure is now in place to use these funds wisely over the medium to long-term.
DG Margaret said that while the new normal at present includes things like the ever-present tremors and sights of damage, where traffic jams are a new experience due to the damage to the roads with occasional new damage occuring from the aftershocks, where schools are sharing sites and being able to flush the toilet is becoming a renewed experience although for many that day has yet to arrive. Despite this, the lovely thing is that people now ask how you are and actually stop and listen ... there is a new sense of caring and community throughout the city.