One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio- Delivering On Our Promise

District 9212 today celebrated World polio day by creating awareness on the End Polio Campaign with a walk at the Arboretum Park in Nairobi. The event was flagged off by District Governor Alex Nyaga and was attended by several Rotary Clubs and District officials including District Governor Nominee Leonard Ithau. Also in attendance were representatives of the Ministry of Health (MOH), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO) and USAID Core Group.

RC Thika Road member participates in the World Polio Day Walk

DG Nyaga called upon Rotary clubs to “consider giving at least $1500 to the Rotary Foundation specifically dedicated to the polio plus fund.” as a means to meaningfully deliver on Rotary’s promise to end polio. The World Polio Day is celebrated every year on 24th October.

DG Alex Nyaga plants a tree to commemorate World Polio day

DG Alex Nyaga Message on World Polio Day

“As scientists work to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, World Immunization Week (24 -30 April) provides an opportunity to recognize the importance of immunization against all vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio.

For over 40 years, Rotarians have never wavered in fulfilling our commitment to the children of the world to end polio. Today, the polio infrastructure Rotary helped build – including its tools, workforce, and extensive surveillance networks – are being used to also help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by supporting preparedness and response activities in many countries, including, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
This illustrates our legacy to global health and the “Plus” in PolioPlus……

Our goals this year for contributions to PolioPlus have not changed, but the opportunity to do good in the world has increased, and there has never been a more important time to donate to PolioPlus. In order to receive the full 2:1 match from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary must raise $50 million for polio eradication.

While many Rotarians, are making significant outright contributions to support their local communities during the pandemic, I do wish to make a special request to you, as Rotary clubs please do consider giving at least $1500 to the rotary foundation specifically dedicated to the polio plus fund.

Rotarians made a bold choice to take on the task of eradicating polio. And the promise of ending polio is one of our defining acts as a leading international service organization. We must fulfill our promise, we must maintain our commitment to end polio now and we can do this with every vaccine we deliver, with every community we reach, and with every dollar we give.

Together, we will excel in our role, we will get the job done and we will make a safer, healthier world for future generations. Let’s keep it One Love!”

Sincerely,
DG ALEX NYAGA