PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

We have not met for two weeks. Today I feel good and refreshed knowing well our Club is moving in the right direction. First of all, I must most sincerely thank all Rotarians and Anns who have come forward selflessly to assist the Club in the 48th Charity Dinner Show on the 6th of January 2009. We were showered with praises from our friends and well-wishers. It was indeed a fantastic show and performance well executed in everything. The timing was perfect. It ended at 11.10 pm. when the Rotarians and the children sang the song “Make A Difference’.

Rotarians and Anns, let me say how appreciative I am of your effort in bringing pride and honour to our Club. In particular, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to PP Rupert Goldman, the Organizing Chairman and his team for the commitment in seeing things through. It was an evening every one of us enjoyed. The food was good. The entertainment was beyond expectation. Rotarians and guests mingled freely.

We must also remember that we have showcased to 700 people the ideals of Rotary. It was an evening to tell our guests and friends why we are in Rotary. Perhaps this will boost our image that has not been evident in public for a long time.

The accounts have not been finalized yet. But I firmly believe that we have raised more than RM100,00 from the table sales, advertisements and donations.

Once again, Rotarians and Anns let me say again how much I appreciate your assistance and co-operation. Thank you … thank you.

The months before the grand finale were difficult times. Friends may not see the hard work that the organizing committee has put in. There was meeting after meeting after lunch and in the evening. Sometimes disagreement was seen and raised voices could be heard. But a cool head won the day. Looking back, our members of the committee should be praised and commended. They did not lose sight of their objective: They have to raise funds for our projects. They also need to do something well so that our friends and guests could enjoy an evening of good food and entertainment. In this, they have really succeeded.

The evening also created awareness to our 700 guests and friends of what Rotary is all about. It was an excellent way to market Rotary. Perhaps there will be people knocking at our doors.

Let us pat our backs for a job well done.

With a population of 84 million, Vietnam is still a relatively poor country. Historically, Vietnam has been an agricultural civilization based on wet rice cultivating. The Vietnam War destroyed much of the country of Vietnam. Upon taking power, the Government (The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a single party state) created a planned economy for the nation. Collectivization of farms, factories and economic capital was implemented and millions of people were put to work in government programs.

What can you do in Hanoi in the evening? It’s either you gamble in the casino or do karaoka. I’m not sure what the Rotarians wanted to hear from Yeng Kit.

Now this is interesting. The people of Vietnam speak Vietnamese as a native language. But other languages are spoken by several minority groups. And Chinese is one of them. The French language, a legacy of colonial rule, is still spoken by some older Vietnamese as a second language but it is losing its popularity.

According to Yeng Kit, there are opportunities in the service sector. Vietnam has not fully developed its systems in business and management and financial systems that should comply with international standards. So think about this, Rotarians.

Thank you, Yeng Kit.