Nigerian Journal #6

Did I mention that Achi Community and its 8 villages have a population of about 15,000? It is impossible to tell by just walking on the roads and paths. But they are there. So I shouldn’t be surprised that 432 persons showed up for the free clinic that Dr. Opara and his other 5 medical doctors and about 10 nurses conducted.

I spend a little time with the clinic, but most of the time I was with Dean as they measured for the pipes. My job seemed have been to settle some disputes as to where the water stands should be, and also to be Rotary eyes in making judgments as to what is fair and just. Everybody wants a water stand right in front of their house; even if it means that some other community had to walk a mile to the standpipe. But it all turned out great and we are one happy family.

Tonight we attended the parent Rotary club of Owerri that met on the plaza a few floors below my hotel window. There are 4 clubs in Owerri, this being the largest with 46 members. It was a special night –“Family of Rotary Dinner;” It also included an induction of a new member. It was a big thing! A large number of family and friends came up front for the induction and ceremony (it was like a baptism or christening). But they also raised over $1000.00 (US) – 100,000 nira – as part of the ceremony. The inductee gave 50,000 nira for club projects, and his guests gave 5,000 to 50,000 in honor of him. (Now that I’m writing this, I’m debating whether I heard that 2 of them gave 500,000 nira, or was it 50,000? If it were the former it means that they collected nearly $10,000.00 just from the ceremony!). They also had an “American” style (their words) auction: A package wrapped in Christmas paper, and the first bidder put down (or in the plate) 1000 nira, next bidder just put in the difference (e.g. 1200 nira, and she put 200). The last bidder got the gift, even if he only put in the last 100 nira for, say, the 10,000 bid. It was a fun meeting. I also made a little speech about our club as I gave them one of our flags/banner, and received theirs. The night ended with a dance. It was a three hour club meeting!