[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 1029

[Garry & Anne Krischock]

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1.         1896 : Bill Gates signs soccer ball in Nigeria From: Sunil 


Posted by: "Sunil"
<mailto:sunilkzach at yahoo.co.uk?Subject=%20Re%3A1896%20%3A%20Bill%20Gates%20s
igns%20soccer%20ball%20in%20Nigeria> sunilkzach at yahoo.co.uk
<http://profiles.yahoo.com/sunilkzach> sunilkzach 


Sat Jun 12, 2010 4:39 pm (PDT) 


Bill Gates, co chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, added his
support to the Kick Polio Out of Africa campaign this week, signing a
soccer ball that is making its way through the continent before the 2010
World Cup.

Since February, the ball has been traveling through a number of
polio-affected countries in Africa, raising awareness of the eradication
effort. In many nations, its arrival has coincided with immunization
activities, and Rotarians have celebrated by holding public rallies and
inviting government officials. Follow the ball's progress on our
interactive map.
<
<http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/KickPoliooutofAfricaMap.as
px> http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/KickPoliooutofAfricaMa\
p.aspx>

As he signed the ball in Abuja, Gates commended Nigeria for making
significant gains in the fight against polio and called upon the
country's leaders to finish the job. Gates was in Nigeria to learn
more about the dramatic decline in polio cases since his last visit in
February 2009. This year, only three cases have been reported in the
country through 8 June, compared with 298 during the same period in
2009.

"Nigeria's recent progress against polio is an achievement that
all Nigerians should be proud of," Gates said. "Thanks to
political and traditional leaders, dedicated health workers, and loving
parents who want to protect their children, Nigeria is on a path toward
eliminating polio."

The soccer ball is entering the final leg of its four-month journey. A
grand campaign finale will be held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in
Alexandria, Egypt, on 12 June. Africa Cup of Nations champions will kick
the ball, symbolically kicking polio out of the continent. Egyptian
First Lady Suzanne Mubarak will preside over the event, which will also
be attended by film star Hani Salama, children who have survived polio,
government officials, and other dignitaries.

>From there, the ball will travel to the 2010 RI Convention in
Montréal, Québec, Canada, 20-23 June. Its journey is being underwritten by
DHL Express.
< <http://www.rotary.org/en/Members/Events/Convention/Pages/ridefault.aspx>
http://www.rotary.org/en/Members/Events/Convention/Pages/ridefault.aspx\
> 

In addition, thousands have added their signatures to a virtual ball
online. Sign the ball. < <http://www.kickpoliooutofafrica.org/>
http://www.kickpoliooutofafrica.org/>

Since Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative
began their fight against polio in 1988, the incidence of the disease
has been reduced by 99 percent. In Africa, only Nigeria remains
polio-endemic, but the disease still affects children in many other
high-risk countries, emphasizing the importance of protecting all
African children against polio. The virus is also endemic in three other
countries: Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan.

The Gates Foundation has awarded Rotary US$355 million in challenge
grants in support of its efforts to eradicate polio. In response, Rotary
has committed to raising $200 million by 30 June 2012. As of this month,
Rotarians have raised $128.7 million.

"As the volunteer arm and private-sector partner in the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative, Rotary has contributed $388 million for polio
eradication efforts in Africa," said June Webber, Kick Polio Out of
Africa project coordinator. She added that Rotarians and their global
partners are determined to provide a lasting legacy as they "celebrate
the first World Cup on African soil."

Source : Rotary International News / Courtesy : eFlash_Rotary

Video available on
 <http://eflashcommunity.ning.com/video/bill-gates-signs-football-in>
http://eflashcommunity.ning.com/video/bill-gates-signs-football-in

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